This Tabouli Inspired Orzo Salad with Chickpeas is refreshing, filling and full of bright summer flavors! You only need a few ingredients and it comes together quickly, especially if you cook the orzo ahead of time. Enjoy this plant based, vegetarian pasta salad as a healthy lunch or potluck side dish!
This Tabouli Inspired Orzo Salad with Chickpeas is one that I could eat all summer long! It’s made with fresh herbs and veggies, most of which can be found in the garden. I’ve always loved the flavors of tabouli salad, so I decided to take those same flavors and add them to a hearty orzo salad with chickpeas.
Why You’ll Love This Summery Orzo Salad Recipe!
Easy to make – The orzo cooks up really quickly and the rest of the ingredients go in raw, so you can whip up this orzo salad in under 30 minutes!
Perfect for summer – To me, summer is all about making flavorful salads that are packed with fresh herbs and veggies. The parsley really stands out and makes this recipe delicous!
Great for potlucks – This is a recipe that just tastes better after it sits for a while and the flavors have had time to marinate, so it’s perfect for making ahead of time and then bringing to your fourth of july picnic this summer!
Tabouli Inspired Orzo Salad Recipe Ingredients
Orzo – You can use wheat, whole wheat or gluten free orzo for this recipe. You could also use an extra small pasta shape if you can’t find orzo.
Chickpeas – I used two cans of chickpeas. White beans can be substituted if needed.
Tomato – I used extra large cherry tomatoes that I cut into fourths. Any kind of tomato can be used though.
Cucumber – I prefer to use English cucumbers because they have a thin skin and small seeds, but any type of cucumber will work great.
Fresh Herbs – Most traditional tabouli recipes use parsley, mint and green onion so that is what I used as well. I usually prefer flat leaf parsley but in this salad curly goes really well. Feel free to add any additional fresh herbs you like, basil would be great!
Dressing – The dressing is super fresh and simple and made using just extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. A simple dressing like this allows all the fresh herbs and veggies to shine.
How To Make Orzo Salad with Chickpeas and Veggies
Heat a large pot of water until boiling and add in your orzo, and a pinch of salt if desired. Cook orzo according to package directions, drain well and then add to a large mixing bowl to let cool for a few minutes. I like to mix a splash of olive oil into the orzo to prevent it from sticking together while it cools
Add in the chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, green onion, mint and garlic.
Next, pour over the oil and lemon juice and mix until salad is completely combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
Make this recipe gluten free by using gluten free orzo pasta. If you can’t find GF orzo, you can use the smallest type of GF pasta you can find.
This recipe is already vegan.
Can this orzo salad be made ahead of time? Yes, this recipe actually tastes better after it has sat for a couple hours, or overnight. Just make sure to store well, in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Can this recipe be used for meal prep? Yes, this is a great one for meal prep! Just evenly portion the salad into containers and refrigerate until ready to eat.
How long do leftovers last? If stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, leftovers should last about 4-5 days. Always inspect your leftovers before eating though!
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below and I will get back to you ASAP!
This Tabouli Inspired Orzo Salad with Chickpeas is refreshing, filling and full of bright summer flavors! You only need a few ingredients and it comes together quickly, especially if you cook the orzo ahead of time. Enjoy this plant based, vegetarian pasta salad as a healthy lunch or potluck side dish!
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
2 (15 oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
9 oz package cherry tomatoes, cut into halves or fourths
1 1/3 cup diced cucumber, I like to use English cucumbers
1/2 cup chopped curly parsley
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion
1/3 cup chopped mint
1–2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Heat a large pot of water until boiling and add in your orzo, and a pinch of salt if desired. Cook orzo according to package directions, drain well and then add to a large mixing bowl to let cool for a few minutes. I like to mix a splash of olive oil into the orzo to prevent it from sticking together while it cools
Add in the chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, green onion, mint and garlic.
Next, pour over the oil and lemon juice and mix until salad is completely combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.
Notes
Feel free to add extra olive oil and lemon juice if you find that the salad needs a little more moisture.
This tangy Dill Pickle Hummus is easy to make and great to have on hand during the summer for a refreshing and healthy snack. The food processor does most of the work and this unique hummus can be used in so many different ways. Mix it into pasta salad, spread it on sandwiches, or enjoy it in a salad. If you love dill pickles, you’ve got to make this delicious hummus recipe.
I tried some store-bought dill pickle hummus a few weeks ago, and I’ve been addicted ever since. I decided it was time to make my own version, and it did not disappoint. I’ve been eating it with crackers and veggies, but also adding it to pretty much every other meal I eat for some extra flavor, protein, and fiber. This Dill Pickle Hummus is refreshing, perfect for summer, and a great way to use up any dill you have in your garden.
Why You’ll Love This Tangy Dill Pickle Hummus
Refreshing – Pickles are a refreshing snack, and making hummus with them creates a creamy, tangy dip that’s perfect for summer. I like to serve this pickle-flavored hummus chilled with a side of veggies for a light and filling afternoon snack.
Flavorful – If you love dill pickles, you’ll enjoy this uniquely flavored hummus. It is flavored with fresh dill, dill pickles, and pickle juice. I also add a little bit of lemon juice and a few cloves of garlic. You can also make it spicy by adding some pickled jalapenos.
Versatile – I love having hummus on hand because it’s healthy, protein-packed, and can be used in many different ways. Hummus is always great with veggies and pita bread, but it can also be added to salad, pasta, toast, sandwiches, and more.
Benefits
Chickpeas – A high-fiber diet is imperative for good digestive health, and chickpeas contain 35 grams of fiber per cup of cooked beans. Beans have a mixture of soluble and insoluble fiber, which greatly benefits the digestive process. Soluble fiber absorbs water in the digestive tract, helping regulate the absorption of nutrients. It also binds to bile in the digestive tract, removing toxins that would otherwise recirculate throughout the body. Insoluble fiber helps bulk up our stool, ensuring that things run smoothly.
Tahini – Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds, perfect for dressings and sauce recipes. It’s a great source of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Although tahini contains a small amount of saturated fat, most of its fats are polyunsaturated (omega-6 fatty acids) and monounsaturated, which are great for overall health.
Dill Pickle Hummus Recipe Ingredients
Chickpeas – I used two cans of chickpeas for this hummus recipe. You can easily adjust the amount if you want more or less hummus, though. I like to boil my chickpeas with a bit of baking soda for 20 minutes beforehand, as it helps soften them, but that isn’t necessary.
Tahini – You should be able to find tahini at most grocery stores, in the same section as the peanut butter. Tahini is a paste made with sesame seeds and has a nice toasty flavor. I use it often in recipes, and it’s a staple ingredient for traditional hummus.
Pickles – Both the pickle juice and the pickles are used in this hummus recipe, so make sure to use a brand of pickles you know you enjoy. I find that the pickles sold in the refrigerated section at the grocery store tend to have better flavor than the jarred pickles, but either will work.
Dill – The pickles add a nice dill flavor to the hummus, but I also like adding some fresh dill. Dry dill has a much stronger flavor than fresh dill, so I usually stick to mostly fresh and just a pinch of dried dill.
Lemon Juice – Lemon juice is commonly used in most hummus recipes, so although we already have acid from the pickle juice, I wanted to add a little lemon flavor. You can leave it out if you prefer.
Garlic – One or two cloves of fresh garlic add so much flavor, but garlic powder can be used if you prefer a milder garlic flavor.
How To Make Refreshing Dill Pickle Hummus
Optional: For creamier hummus, you can boil the chickpeas with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda for 20 minutes. Drain and then rinse with cold water and let cool for a few minutes before making the hummus.
To a food processor or blender, add in the tahini, pickle juice, lemon juice, garlic, and 1/2 cup of chopped pickles. Blend until combined and slightly creamy. It may be challenging to achieve a completely creamy texture in the food processor, but aim for as much blending as possible.
Next, add in the chickpeas, fresh dill, dried dill, and salt. Turn the food processor on and blend until the desired texture is achieved. If your hummus looks too thick, you can drizzle in extra pickle juice or olive oil until it reaches the desired consistency. If your hummus is not thick enough, add in extra chickpeas.
Once the hummus reaches your desired texture, add the remaining 1/2 cup of chopped pickles and pickled jalapenos, if you want some extra heat. Give the hummus a few pulses so that the pickles are mixed in, but not completely blended up. Add any additional salt or cayenne pepper needed and enjoy.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
Can hummus be frozen? Yes, you can freeze hummus, although it may not retain the same creamy texture after thawing. I recommend freezing for up to 3 months in an air-tight container.
How long does leftover hummus last? Leftover hummus should last for about 4-5 days when stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.
What can be used in place of the chickpeas? Chickpeas are a traditional ingredient in hummus, but white beans can be easily substituted.
Can dry dill be used? I prefer using fresh dill because it has a milder flavor, allowing you to add more without it becoming too overpowering. It also has a nice fresh taste. Dry dill can be used if needed, though. I recommend adding 1 teaspoon and then adjusting as needed.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP!
This tangy Dill Pickle Hummus is easy to make and great to have on hand during the summer, for a refreshing and healthy snack. The food processor does most of the work and this unique hummus can be used in so many different ways. Mix it into pasta salad, spread it on sandwiches or enjoy it in salads. If you love dill pickles, you’ve got to make this delicious hummus recipe.
Ingredients
2 (15 oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup tahini
2 cups diced pickles, divided
1–2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2–4 tablespoons pickle juice, depending on what consistency you want your hummus
Optional: pickled jalapenos, to taste if you want heat
1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
Serve with: fresh veggies, pita bread or crackers.
Instructions
Optional: for creamier hummus, you can boil the chickpeas with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda for 20 minutes. Drain and then rinse with cold water and let cool a few minutes before making the hummus.
To a food processor, or blender, add in the tahini, pickle juice, lemon juice, garlic and 1/2 cup of chopped pickles. Blend until combined and slightly creamy, it many be hard to get completely creamy in the food processor but you want it as blended up as you can get it.
Next, add in the chickpeas, fresh dill, dried dill and salt. Turn food processor on and blend until desired texture is achieved. If your hummus is looking too thick, you can drizzle in extra pickle juice, or olive oil, until it thins out. If your hummus is not thick enough, add in extra chickpeas.
Once the hummus is to your desired texture, add in the remaining 1/2 cup chopped pickles, and pickled jalapenos if you want some extra heat. Just give the hummus a few pulses so that the pickles are mixed in, but not completely blended up. Add any extra salt, or cayenne pepper, if needed and enjoy.
Notes
This hummus recipe makes about 2 cups of hummus. Each serving is 1/4 cup.