Looking for a quick and delicious lunch idea? This Harissa Chickpea Smash Sandwich is a great option for a nutritious and satisfying lunch for you and your family. The harissa chickpea mixture can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavours to meld together and giving you the convenience of a sandwich filling that is ready to go and perfect for busy weekdays. Try my Spinach, Pesto and Sundried Tomato Quiche for another tasty make-ahead lunch option.
Chickpeas are rich in fibre and an excellent plant-based protein. The lettuce, radishes, and celery add a fresh complement to the chickpea mixture and give it that pleasant crunch. To round out the meal, you can serve these sandwiches with complementary side dishes such as my Carrot Ribbon Salad and Chili Lime Sunflower Seed Dip.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Healthy and nutritious
- Convenient and easy by making the chickpea mixture ahead allowing flavours to blend together
- Satisfying texture with the creamy chickpea mixture, crunchy veggies and chewy toasted bread
- Easily made vegan by using vegan mayo and omitting the honey
- Customizable by choosing your own veggies and bread options such as a wrap
- A great plant based protein option. For another good source of plant based protein try my Buckwheat Flour Chocolate Banana Muffins
Ingredients
- Chickpeas - a highly nutritious plant-based protein rich in fibre
- Fresh lime juice - adds flavour and brightness
- Harissa paste - bold and spicy flavour made from roasted red peppers, chili peppers, spices, and herbs.
- Celery - adds flavour and crunch to the mixture
- Mayonnaise - choose a high-quality mayo and make it a vegan mayo if desired
- Radishes and lettuce - adds a pop of colour and fresh element to this sandwich
- Bread - choose your favourite bread, pita or wrap
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
- If you don't have harissa paste, try sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or your favourite hot sauce.
- Vary this sandwich by changing up the kind of bread. Try sourdough, multigrain, whole wheat, pitas or wraps
- Change up your choice of herb from dill to mint, parsley, cilantro or thyme
- Increase the protein in the chickpea mixture by adding chopped eggs, quinoa or diced tofu
- Choose your favourite fresh elements such as cucumber, pepper, various lettuces or carrot ribbons
I have not experimented with any other substitutions or alterations for this recipe. If you decide to make any changes by adding or substituting ingredients, I would love it if you could share your results with us by leaving a comment below.
How To Make a Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Here are the step-by-step instructions to make this recipe.
Step 1: Drain the chickpeas and combine with other ingredients.
Add lime juice, harissa paste, dill, mayo, salt, and pepper to the drained chickpeas in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Mash together.
Mash this mixture thoroughly with the back of a fork.
Step 3: Add celery.
Finely dice the celery and add to the mashed chickpea mixture.
Step 4: Mix.
Mix the celery into the chickpea mixture. Refrigerate the mixture until you are ready to assemble the sandwich, or use it immediately.
Step 5: Prepare the bread.
Toast the bread. Spread butter or mayo on one piece and a drizzle of honey on the other.
Step 6: Layer with lettuce first.
Wash and thoroughly dry the lettuce. Layer on one slice of bread.
Step 7: Add chickpea mixture.
Add a generous dollop of the chickpea mash on top of the lettuce.
Step 8: Add radish slices.
Thinly slice the radishes and arrange on top of the chickpea mixture.
Step 9: Top with remaining slice of bread.
Finish assembling the sandwich by topping with the remaining slice of bread. Cut in half if desired and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Add harissa paste gradually and taste as you go to achieve your preferred level of heat
- Make the chickpea mixture in advance and refrigerate so the flavours can meld together and so you have a quick and easy lunch idea ready to go
- Toasting the bread adds texture to this sandwich and helps prevent any sogginess from the creamy chickpea mixture
- Assemble the sandwich strategically starting with the lettuce and then the chickpea mixture and then the radishes for the best taste and texture
- Once your sandwich is assembled, serve immediately for optimum freshness
Recipe FAQs
Harissa paste is a spicy and flavourful North African chili paste made from roasted red peppers, chili peppers, spices, and herbs. You can typically find it in the international or condiment section of your local grocery store.
Yes, just be sure to choose gluten free bread. This mixture would also be delicious served over a bed of greens.
Simply choose a vegan mayonnaise and omit the honey to make this an excellent vegan option.
The chickpea mixture is ideal for making in advance as some time in the refrigerator allows the flavours to meld together. Assemble the sandwich just before serving to optimize freshness.
The chickpea mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Stir the mixture before assembling your sandwich.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you tried this Harissa Chickpea Smash Sandwich or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Recipe
Harissa Chickpea Smash Sandwich
Ingredients
Harissa Chickpea Mixture
- 1 19 oz can chickpeas drained
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon harissa paste
- 1 stalk celery finely diced
- ¼ teaspoon dill dried
- ¼ cup mayonnaise regular or vegan
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sandwich
- prepared chickpea mixture
- crusty bread toasted
- Butter or mayonnaise for spreading on the bread
- Honey for drizzling on sandwich (optional -omit to be vegan)
- Lettuce
- Radish thinly sliced
Instructions
Chickpea Mixture
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Chop the celery in a fine dice.
- Add the chickpeas, lime juice, harissa, dill, mayo and salt and pepper to a medium sized bowl. Mash thoroughly with the back of a fork.
- Add the diced celery and stir.
- This mixture can be kept in the refrigerator to allow the flavours to meld until you are ready to assemble your sandwiches.
Assemble the sandwiches
- Remove the chickpea mixture from refrigerator.
- Thinly slice some radishes and wash and dry your lettuce.
- Toast two slices of bread. Spread butter on one slice. Drizzle honey on the other.
- Assemble the sandwich with lettuce, chickpea mixture, sliced radishes and top with the remaining slice of bread.
- The chickpea mixture makes enough for 4-6 sandwiches.
Notes
- Add harissa paste gradually and taste as you go to achieve your preferred level of flavor and heat
- Make the chickpea mixture in advance and refrigerate so the flavours can meld together and so you have a quick and easy lunch idea ready to go
- Toasting the bread adds texture to this sandwich and helps prevent any sogginess from the creamy chickpea mixture
- Assemble the sandwich strategically starting with the lettuce and then the chickpea mixture and then the radishes for the best taste and texture
- Once your sandwich is assembled, serve immediately for optimum freshness
Nutrition
If you make this recipe please leave a comment and give this recipe a rating! I aim to respond to every single comment. I am so grateful when you trust me and try one of my recipe creations in your own kitchen. I love to hear how it went! Let’s connect on Instagram and tag me in your food pics!
‘Til next time,
Christy
Abby says
I love a good easy lunch, and this was just that! Took me 10 minutes to make and lasted me the week. This is going to be my new go to lunch!
Meg says
Making the chickpea smash ahead of time melds all those incredible flavours together! Just adore a little punch of radish and it’s always a pretty add visually!
Kathryn says
Incredible!!! Love how easy it is to make and tastes so good.