This Asian Chickpea and Salmon Salad is a satisfying main course salad, rich in fiber and protein, and delicious all year round. The zesty ginger salad dressing combined with blue cheese and pickled ginger, gives it an extra layer of flavors that deliver a delightful kick. Prep ahead and enjoy a quick and delicious lunch on busy weekdays.

Ingredients

Canned salmon: A simple way to add more fish to your diet. Canned salmon is loaded with calcium, protein and omega-3s.
Chickpeas: This bean holds up well in cold salads. Chickpeas are a source of plant proteins and they’re loaded with fiber.
Red onion: red onions are milder than yellow or white onions and are great in salads.
Red bell pepper: red peppers are the sweetest bell peppers and are yummy raw or cooked. You can use yellow or orange peppers for a milder flavor, but it won’t be as sweet.
Pickled ginger: Fermented vegetables contain probiotics, so this salad topping is good for gut health. Top the salad with this gut-healthy probiotic. Pickled ginger has a little bite to it but it’s not hot like wasabi.
Blue cheese: Use any type of blue cheese (Roquefort, stilton, gorgonzola) for that unmistakably sharp flavor.
Ginger salad dressing: The fresh ginger and Asian-inspired flavors complement the salty tang of blue cheese and dress up the taste of salmon.

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

Substitutions and Dietary Preferences

Blue cheese: use any variety of blue cheese or substitute with feta. For a dairy-free salad, skip the cheese and use avocado. Avocados contain healthy fats and have a similar creamy texture to cheese.
Salmon: canned tuna, cooked salmon or tuna steaks will work well too.
Pickled ginger: Leave off the ginger if you don’t like it or can’t find it at the grocery store.
Vegetables and lettuce: Use any variety of lettuce or chopped vegetables that you want.
Ginger Salad Dressing: Use any store-bought ginger salad dressing instead of homemade dressing.

How to Make

Add the beans, salmon, red onions, red peppers, and lettuce to a large mixing bowl.

chickpeas, salmon, chopped vegetables and lettuce in mixing bowl.

Combine salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl.

ingredients for homemade ginger salad dressing in bowl.

Pour the salad dressing over the ingredients and toss until it’s combined.

salmon salad tossed with ginger salad dressing in mixing bowl.

Top the salad with blue cheese and pickled ginger.

Salmon salad topped with blue cheese on a plate.

Serving Ideas

Serve the salad immediately after combining all the ingredients.

To prep ahead, only combine the beans, salmon, peppers, and onions. Store the lettuce, cheese, pickled ginger and dressing separately. Serve a heaping cup on a bed of lettuce and top with 1 tablespoon of blue cheese, 1 tablespoon of pickled ginger and approximately 1-½ tablespoons of dressing.

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