Balela Salad – Veggie Inspired

Balela Salad is a flavorful Middle Eastern bean salad made with chickpeas, black beans, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and spices in a tangy vinaigrette. It comes together quickly and easily in just 15 minutes. Perfect as a side dish or a light lunch. Easily scaled up to feed a crowd – great for potlucks!

While most balela salads you’ll find online feature chickpeas, black beans, tomatoes, onions, and parsley, the spices and dressing ingredients can vary.

I modeled this particular Balela recipe after the Trader Joe’s Balela Salad. It’s one of my favorite salads for on-the-go and I finally decided to make a homemade version.

It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan! And it’s incredibly adaptable and versatile!

If you prefer southwest flavors, try my 3 Bean Corn Salsa, which is just as easy to make!

Ingredients you need

Ingredient notes and substitutions

• Beans ~ Balela salad is traditionally made with chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and black beans. I used canned for convenience, but you can used cooked dry beans.
  
• Vegetables ~ Diced tomatoes and onion keeps it simple.

  A lot of recipes will tell you to squeeze the liquid out of the tomatoes before dicing them and adding them to the dish, however, I love the way the tomato juice helps to form the dressing. So I give you permission to use the whole tomato, juice and all!

  Halved grape tomatoes or quartered cherry tomatoes may be used instead.

  Because the Trader Joe’s Balela uses white onion, that’s what I use here. However, I typically use diced red onion in fresh salads like this. Use what you like best.
  

• Herbs ~ Fresh parsley brings a bright, lemony flavor. Feel free to add some fresh dill if you like as well.
  
• Sumac ~ Sumac is a popular Middle Eastern spice known for it’s tart and tangy flavor. It’s red in color and is made from ground dried sumac berries. It’s great added to most most Mediterranean dishes or simply sprinkled over the top of a bowl of hummus.

  I can’t find sumac in the traditional grocery stores near me, so I buy it on Amazon.

  If you don’t have sumac, add some lemon zest and fresh squeezed lemon juice. While it won’t replicate the taste exactly, it’s similar and will work in a pinch.
  

• Mint ~ Trader Joe’s version of this chickpea salad used dried mint and so do I. Just like the ground sumac, I buy this on Amazon as I haven’t been able to find it locally. You can substitute fresh mint leave if you prefer.
  
• Extras ~ Feel free to add extra veggies, like diced cucumbers, diced red bell peppers, diced jalapeño, sliced green onions, etc. Fresh squeezed lemon juice added to the dressing is delicious.

How to make the recipe

Please scroll down to the recipe card for exact ingredient measurements and instructions.

1. Step 1: Add the olive oil, vinegar, and spices to a large bowl.

2. Step 2: Whisk until smooth.

3. Step 3: Add the beans, diced veggies, and fresh herbs on top of the vinaigrette.

4. Step 4: Stir well to combine until all ingredients are thoroughly coated in the dressing.

While you can serve it immediately, the flavors will develop more as it sits. I prefer eating this salad cold. I suggest chilling it in the fridge for at least an hour or two.

More vegan bean salads

Balela Salad

Balela Salad is a flavorful Middle Eastern bean salad made with chickpeas, black beans, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and spices in a tangy vinaigrette. It comes together quickly and easily in just 15 minutes. Perfect as a side dish or a light lunch. Easily scaled up to feed a crowd – great for potlucks!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salads, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 184kcal

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Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, sumac, salt, dried mint, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne until relatively smooth.

• To the same bowl, add the chickpeas, black beans, tomato, onion, and parsley. Mix well to combine until all salad ingredients are thoroughly coated in the dressing.

• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

• Transfer to an airtight container and chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

Notes

• • Use canned beans to make this easy Balela Salad in just 15 minutes.

• • Drain and rinse the canned beans well.

• • Sumac has a unique tart and tangy flavor that isn’t easily replicated with other ingredients. Definitely give it a try if you can.

• • If you must substitute the sumac, try some lemon zest and fresh squeezed lemon juice.

• • If you don’t have dried mint, fresh mint leaves may be used.

• • Prep the salad at least a few hours (up to overnight) before you plan on serving it. This allows the flavors to develop and deepen.
  • This recipe makes about 5 cups in total.

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 424mg | Potassium: 309mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 2g

Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.