Easy & Flavorful Curried Chickpea Salad Collard Wraps: Your Go-To Vegan Lunch!

There’s a unique joy in bringing an old passion back to life. For me, that joy currently comes from diving deep into a four-week writing course. Since childhood, when asked what I wanted to be, my answer was always “a writer.” I fondly remember creating elaborate children’s book series about a miniature Schnauzer, Joana Schnauzer, and her delightful house pet friends in elementary school. My middle and high school years were filled with composition notebooks, their covers boldly taped with “PRIVATE!”, detailing teenage adventures, thoughts, and dreams in scrolling cursive.

College saw me exploring different literary forms, crafting sestinas and stream-of-consciousness pieces about learning, love, and loss. Yet, after graduation, writing shifted. It became largely technical, for work, and often about subjects I didn’t truly grasp or genuinely enjoy. Then came the era of Instagram, where I rediscovered the pleasure of sharing my life with you – my favorite audience – through posts about food, fitness, and navigating my twenties. Now, as I approach my mid-thirties, writing for you, my dear friend, remains my greatest pleasure.

My writing skills haven’t seen a formal upgrade since my school days, so this course feels like a much-needed revitalization. I hope it not only rekindles that old spark but also empowers me to communicate with even greater clarity and passion just how incredibly delicious and vibrant plant-based foods truly are. This journey of renewal extends beyond my writing; it inspires today’s recipe, taking a beloved classic and giving it a fresh, exciting twist: a **Curried Chickpea Salad** made with creamy almond milk yogurt, ripe avocado, and a bold curry seasoning blend. It’s a light, refreshing, and satisfying meal perfect for any day of the week.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Vegan Curried Chickpea Salad

This isn’t just another chickpea salad; it’s a flavor explosion and a texture dream wrapped into one easy-to-make dish. If you’re searching for a simple, healthy, and incredibly satisfying plant-based lunch or dinner, look no further. Here’s why this curried chickpea salad will quickly become a staple in your kitchen:

• Effortlessly Delicious: With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, you can whip up this vibrant salad in just minutes. It’s perfect for busy weekdays when you need a quick, nutritious meal without compromising on taste.
• Protein-Packed & Fiber-Rich: Chickpeas are nutritional powerhouses, offering an excellent source of plant-based protein and dietary fiber, keeping you feeling full and energized. This makes it an ideal choice for sustained energy throughout your day.
• Creamy & Satisfying Texture: The combination of mashed chickpeas, ripe avocado, and smooth almond milk yogurt creates an incredibly creamy base. Add in the delightful crunch of walnuts and the chewy sweetness of cranberries, and you have a texture symphony in every bite.
• Bursting with Exotic Flavors: The aromatic blend of curry powder and cumin, brightened by fresh lemon juice, transports your taste buds to a world of rich, warm spices. It’s a fantastic way to introduce exciting flavors to your vegan repertoire.
• Incredibly Versatile: While we adore serving it in crisp collard leaves for a grain-free wrap, this salad is fantastic in so many other ways. Spoon it onto sandwiches, enjoy it with crackers, or simply eat it by the spoonful!
• Meal Prep Dream: This recipe is a fantastic option for meal prepping. Make a big batch at the beginning of the week, and you’ll have delicious, ready-to-eat lunches or snacks for days.

Get ready to embrace a dish that is not only good for you but also incredibly satisfying and packed with delightful flavors!

Essential Ingredients for Your Curried Chickpea Salad

One of the best things about this vibrant chickpea salad is its remarkably short and simple ingredient list. Most items are likely already lounging in your pantry or fridge, making it a breeze to whip up whenever a craving strikes for something fresh and flavorful. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this vegan delight:

• Chickpeas: The star of our show! Canned chickpeas are convenient and perfect for mashing into a creamy base. They provide the bulk, protein, and satisfying texture for this salad.
• Avocado: This creamy fruit adds healthy fats, a silky texture, and a touch of richness that beautifully complements the curry spices. It also helps bind the salad together, giving it that perfect consistency.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk Yogurt: For that tangy, creamy dressing base without any dairy. It adds a lovely tartness and a smooth mouthfeel, making the salad incredibly luscious. Ensure it’s unsweetened to control the overall flavor profile.
• Curry Powder: The heart of the flavor! A good quality curry powder brings warmth, depth, and a complex blend of spices that are instantly recognizable and utterly delicious.
• Cumin Powder: Enhances the earthy notes of the chickpeas and provides an additional layer of aromatic flavor that pairs wonderfully with curry.
• Lemon: Fresh lemon juice is crucial for brightness. It cuts through the richness of the avocado and yogurt, lifting all the flavors and adding a zesty finish.
• Himalayan Sea Salt & Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to elevate all the other ingredients. Adjust to your personal preference to achieve the perfect balance.
• Dried Cranberries: These add a burst of sweet-tart flavor and a chewy texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy salad.
• Chopped Walnuts: For an irresistible crunch and a dose of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. They bring an appealing texture and a subtle nutty flavor.
• Collard Leaves: Our preferred vessel for serving! These sturdy, slightly bitter greens make for excellent grain-free and gluten-free wraps, adding a fresh, earthy counterpoint to the savory filling.

That’s it! A handful of simple ingredients transformed into an unforgettable meal.

Crafting Your Curried Chickpea Salad: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this delicious curried chickpea salad is incredibly simple and comes together in a single bowl, minimizing cleanup. Here’s how to make it:

1. Prepare the Chickpeas: Start by draining and rinsing your canned chickpeas thoroughly. Transfer them to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Using a fork or a potato masher, begin to mash the chickpeas. You want to achieve a chunky texture, not a completely smooth paste. The varying textures add interest to the final salad. Feel free to mash them as much or as little as you like to get your desired consistency; I personally prefer mine with a bit more bite and a thicker consistency.
2. Add Creaminess: Next, scoop in the ripe avocado and the unsweetened almond milk yogurt into the bowl with the mashed chickpeas. Continue to mash and mix these ingredients together. The avocado and yogurt will combine to create a wonderfully creamy coating for the chickpeas, forming the luscious base of your salad. Ensure everything is well combined and thoroughly coated.



3. Season with Spices and Citrus: Now it’s time to infuse that signature curry flavor! Add the curry powder, cumin powder, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and Himalayan sea salt to the mixture. Mix everything again thoroughly, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed throughout the salad.



4. Taste and Adjust: This is a crucial step! Take a small taste of the chickpea salad. Does it need more zing? Add a bit more lemon. Prefer it saltier? A pinch more salt. Craving more warmth? Stir in a little extra curry or cumin. Don’t forget a grind of fresh black pepper if you like a subtle kick.
5. Fold in the Extras: Finally, gently fold in the dried cranberries and the chopped walnuts. Mix them just enough so they are evenly dispersed throughout the salad, adding delightful pops of sweetness, tang, and crunch.



6. Serve Immediately: Spoon the freshly prepared curried chickpea salad onto crisp collard leaves. Serve your delicious wraps immediately and enjoy the burst of fresh, savory, and sweet flavors!

The Aromatic Magic of Curry Seasoning

At the heart of this irresistible salad lies the magical touch of curry seasoning. Far from being a single spice, curry powder is a vibrant blend of ground spices, typically including turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and chili peppers. This aromatic combination is what gives our chickpea salad its distinctive warm, earthy, and slightly pungent flavor that is both comforting and exhilarating.

Curry powder not only elevates the taste profile but also brings a host of potential health benefits, thanks to its rich array of spices. Turmeric, for instance, is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while cumin contributes to digestive health. The blend of spices creates a depth that transforms humble chickpeas and avocado into an exotic and gourmet experience. It’s truly the star player that makes this salad so much more than just a mix of ingredients – it makes it a culinary journey.

Notes on Meal Prep & Storage

This Curried Chickpea Salad is an absolute dream for meal prepping, allowing you to enjoy healthy, delicious lunches throughout your week. However, there’s a key consideration when making it ahead:

• Avocado Browning: Because we’re incorporating fresh avocado into the mixture, you’ll notice that the salad will naturally start to brown when stored in the refrigerator. This is a completely normal and natural oxidation process, and it does not affect the safety or deliciousness of the salad.
• Best Enjoyed Fresh: If the browning bothers you aesthetically, I recommend enjoying the chickpea salad within 1-2 days of preparing it for the freshest, most vibrant appearance.
• Optimal Storage: To maximize freshness and minimize browning, store the leftover curried chickpea salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results when serving as wraps, prepare your collard leaves (or other wrap options) just before eating and then add the chickpea salad filling. This keeps your greens crisp and prevents them from becoming soggy.
• Preventing Browning (Optional Tip): If you want to try and slow down the browning process, you can press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the chickpea salad before sealing the container. The less air exposure, the slower the oxidation will occur.

Embrace the convenience of meal prepping this flavorful dish, knowing that a nutritious and tasty lunch is always just a scoop away!

Creative Swaps & Substitutions for Your Chickpea Salad

One of the beauties of this Curried Chickpea Salad is its flexibility! It’s incredibly adaptable to your personal preferences, what you have on hand, or any dietary needs. Don’t hesitate to get creative with these delicious swaps:

• Nutty Crunch Alternatives: While walnuts add a fantastic texture and healthy fats, you can easily switch them up. Try slivered almonds, chopped pecans, or even roasted cashews for a different nutty note and crunch. If you’re nut-free, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are excellent alternatives.
• Fruity Sweetness Variations: Dried cranberries offer a lovely tart-sweet counterpoint, but other dried fruits work just as well. Consider golden raisins, chopped dried apricots, or dried cherries for a similar chewy sweetness. Fresh diced apple or grapes can also add a delightful crunch and freshness.
• Bean Base Options: If chickpeas aren’t your preference or you’re simply looking for a change, this recipe works beautifully with other white beans. Cannellini beans, navy beans, or great northern beans can be mashed similarly to create a creamy base.
• Citrus Zest: Lemon provides a bright, essential acidity, but lime juice can be used as a fantastic alternative for a slightly different, perhaps more vibrant, citrusy kick.
• Spice Level Adjustment: If you prefer a spicier kick, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the mixture. For a milder flavor, slightly reduce the amount of curry powder.
• Herbaceous Additions: Fresh herbs can elevate the flavor even further. Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley can add a burst of freshness and color.
• Yogurt Options: While almond milk yogurt is specified for this vegan recipe, any unsweetened plant-based yogurt (like soy, cashew, or coconut yogurt) would work perfectly.

Experiment with these variations to find your favorite combination and truly make this curried chickpea salad your own!

Delicious Ways to Serve Your Curried Chickpea Salad

One of the best qualities of this Curried Chickpea Salad is its incredible versatility in how it can be served. While I have a personal favorite, there are so many delightful ways to enjoy this flavorful dish!

• Collard Green Wraps (My Favorite!): For a truly light, refreshing, and entirely grain-free and gluten-free option, serving this chickpea salad in large collard leaves is unmatched. The sturdy leaves provide a crisp, slightly earthy container that complements the creamy, spicy filling beautifully. To prepare collard leaves for wrapping, simply trim the thick stem from the base of the leaf, which makes them more pliable and easier to roll.
• Traditional Wraps & Sandwiches: If you prefer a more classic approach, spoon the curried chickpea salad into your favorite tortillas (flour, corn, or gluten-free), whole-wheat pita bread, or between slices of wholesome bread for a hearty sandwich.
• Lettuce Cups: For another refreshing, low-carb, and gluten-free option, try serving it in crisp lettuce cups like butter lettuce, romaine, or even large endive leaves.
• With Crackers or Veggies: It makes a fantastic dip or spread! Serve it alongside your favorite crackers, pita chips, or an assortment of fresh crudités like cucumber slices, carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, and celery.
• As a Salad Topper: Elevate a simple green salad by dolloping generous scoops of this curried chickpea salad on top. It adds protein, creaminess, and a burst of flavor to any bowl of greens.
• In a Power Bowl: Combine it with cooked quinoa or brown rice, roasted vegetables, and a drizzle of tahini sauce for a complete and satisfying plant-based power bowl.
• Flavor Boosters: To further accentuate the delicious curry flavors, consider garnishing your serving with a sprinkle of finely sliced green onions (scallions), fresh chopped cilantro, or even a squeeze of extra lemon juice right before serving.

No matter how you choose to enjoy it, this Curried Chickpea Salad is a vibrant and satisfying meal, particularly delightful for a light lunch as the weather warms. Enjoy every flavorful bite!

The Health Benefits Packed into Every Bite

Beyond its incredible flavor, this Curried Chickpea Salad is a nutritional powerhouse, making it a fantastic choice for your overall well-being. Each ingredient contributes a wealth of health benefits:

• Chickpeas: These legumes are an excellent source of plant-based protein, crucial for muscle repair and growth, and dietary fiber, which aids digestion, promotes satiety, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. They also provide essential minerals like iron, folate, and manganese.
• Avocado: Loaded with healthy monounsaturated fats, avocados are beneficial for heart health and can help absorb fat-soluble vitamins. They’re also rich in potassium, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and B vitamins.
• Almond Milk Yogurt: As a dairy-free alternative, it keeps the recipe light while still contributing to the creamy texture. Opting for unsweetened versions helps reduce added sugars in your diet. Many plant-based yogurts are also fortified with calcium and vitamin D.
• Collard Greens: When used as wraps, collard greens are a phenomenal source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and fiber. They’re incredibly nutrient-dense, promoting bone health, immune function, and overall vitality.
• Curry & Cumin Powder: These aren’t just for flavor! Turmeric, a key component in curry powder, contains curcumin, a compound with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Cumin aids digestion and is a good source of iron.
• Walnuts: These mighty nuts are celebrated for their omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain health and reducing inflammation. They also provide protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.

Enjoying this Curried Chickpea Salad means you’re not just treating your taste buds, but nourishing your body with a spectrum of beneficial nutrients.

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More Wholesome Vegan Wrap Inspirations

If you love the concept of easy, healthy, and flavorful vegan wraps, you’re in luck! There’s a whole world of delicious plant-based fillings and creative ways to wrap them up. Here are some more of my favorite vegan wrap recipes to keep your lunch and dinner rotations exciting and full of fresh flavors:

• Green Chickpea Salad Collard Wraps

• Grilled Tempeh Collard Wraps With Mango Salsa

• Salad Crunch Wrap

• Rainbow Rice Paper Wraps With Black Sesame Sauce

• Grain-Free Flatbread Wraps

• Leftover “Holiday” Collard Wraps

• Curried Sweet Potato & Lentil Collard Wraps 

• Rainbow Hummus Avocado Collard Wraps 

Share Your Culinary Creations!

I genuinely love connecting with you and seeing your amazing plant-based creations! If you whip up this delightful Curried Chickpea Salad recipe, please don’t keep it a secret. I’d be absolutely thrilled to hear from you!

Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review right here on the blog. Your feedback is invaluable as it helps me understand what you love and inspires me to create even more delicious, wholesome recipes for you to enjoy.

And of course, let’s connect on social media! Give me a shout on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino to show off your beautiful chickpea salad wraps. I absolutely adore seeing how you bring these recipes to life in your own kitchens.

For more plant-based inspiration and to discover other mouth-watering recipes like this one, be sure to check out my Pinterest page. It’s a treasure trove of healthy ideas waiting to be pinned and made later!

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XO Lauren