Curry Chickpea Salad Wraps

Name: Curry Chickpea Salad Wraps
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 15 ounce cans chickpeas (drained and rinsed (about 3 cups chickpeas)); 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 teaspoon garam masala (see note 1); 1/4 teaspoon turmeric; 1/4 teaspoon salt; freshly ground black pepper (to taste); 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (from one lime); 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional); 1/2 cup finely diced red onion (about 1/2 onion); 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper (about 1 bell pepper); 1/4 cup finely diced carrot (about 1 medium carrot); 1/4 cup roasted cashews; 2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro; 1 recipe curry chickpea salad; 5 whole wheat wraps; 2 and 1/2 cups fresh spinach, loosely packed

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These curry chickpea salad wraps come together in just 10 minutes using pantry staples and flavorful spices like Garam masala! They can easily be made vegan and are perfect for lunch.

Two halves of a wrap on a pink plate with jar of cilantro in the background.

If you need lunch and you need it quickly, look no further than curry chickpea salad! This chickpea salad is popping with Indian-inspired spices and is perfect in wraps, on bread, or in a salad.

These are great for a week of work lunches and are even a kid-friendly lunch box option.

Table of Contents show

Why you'll love this recipe

Creamy and flavorful: Just like traditional chickpea salad, curry chickpea salad is made with a creamy base and canned chickpeas. Just add a few flavorful ingredients like garam masala, cilantro, and lime for a zesty twist.
Quick and easy: Ready in just 10 minutes using wholesome pantry staples.
Versatile: I love making these into wraps but they also go well on a spinach salad, as a snack with crackers, or on sandwich bread.

Check out this avocado salad and pesto salad for another way to make chickpea salad.

Main ingredients

Ingredients in separate bowls on a marble background.

This recipe is made of a few components: chickpeas, the creamy factor, and the crunch factor.

Chickpeas: I'm not going to pretend that chickpeas have a similar texture to chicken salad, but they are a great vegan protein source. They are also super convenient, whether you are using canned chickpeas or chickpeas cooked from dry.
Mayonnaise and lime juice combine to make a tangy and creamy base. Adjust mayonnaise amounts to your preference. Use vegan mayo for egg-free chickpea salad.
Garam masala is a blend of ground spices used in Indian cuisine. "Garam" refers to heat and "masala" means spice, literally meaning "hot spices". While garam masala mixtures vary regionally and by family, the most common blends found in US supermarkets are made with coriander, cumin, cloves, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Diced carrot, red pepper and red bell pepper add crunch. Feel free to get creative here with extra veggies like chopped broccoli, chopped cucumber, etc.
We'll also add fresh chopped cilantro, roasted cashews, turmeric and a dash of hot sauce (optional but good if you enjoy a bit of heat!).

Step by step instructions

Pro tip: Canned chickpeas can be hard to mash. To make the process easier, simply simmer the chickpeas in about a cup of liquid for 5-10 minutes. Drain off the liquid and mash the chickpeas.

Graphic showing three steps to make curry chickpeas.

Curry chickpea salad is as easy as stir, mash and serve.

Start by adding the drained and rinsed chickpeas, mayonnaise, spices, and lime juice to a medium mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
Mash with a potato masher or fork until the chickpeas are mostly broken down. I like to leave a few whole pieces of chickpeas but you can mash all of them if you prefer. You can even blend the mixture in a food processor if you want it to be super smooth.
Add in the remaining ingredients, stirring to combine.

And that's it! This recipe is best served chilled.

Recipe FAQ

How many cups of chickpeas are in a can?

One 15-ounce can of chickpeas usually has about 1 and ½ cups of chickpeas. This recipe uses two cans or 3 cups of cooked chickpeas.

How long do leftovers last?

Keep leftovers refrigerated in a closed container for 3-4 days. Enjoy cold.

Can I use curry powder instead of garam masala?

I haven't tried using curry powder but it should work. It will have a slightly different flavor than garam masala because curry powder is made of different spices.

Can I freeze chickpea salad?

Yes! Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let thaw completely in the fridge overnight before enjoying.

How to serve chickpea salad

If you've followed me for long enough, you know that I love meal prep recipes that don't have to be served the same way every day. Curry chickpea salad is great for this because it can be served in a wrap, on greens, or in a sandwich.

It's also a great blank slate for toppings like pickled onions or pumpkin seeds.

In a wrap: Serve in a whole wheat wrap for extra fiber, or keep it classic with white wheat wrap.
With extra healthy fats like avocado, chopped walnuts, or hemp seeds. Healthy fats provide omega-3s and make meals more satisfying/filling.
With extra vegetables like spinach, lettuce, tomato.
As a sandwich with your favorite bread, lettuce, and tomato.
On greens like romaine or spinach for a curry chickpea salad that's actually a salad.

Two halves of a chickpea wrap on a pink plate/

Want more vegetarian lunch ideas?

If you like this recipe you'll love my instant pot chickpea curry and these peanut sauce chickpea bowls.

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This post was originally published on September 17th, 2018. It was updated on January 11th, 2021 with new photos and a video. The original recipe remains the same with a few minor adjustments.

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