This Trader Joe’s style Balela Salad is a fresh and healthy recipe, which is made with hearty chickpeas and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish, a classic Middle Eastern-inspired salad ready in about 15 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Balela Salad Ingredients
A simple, wholesome list for a perfect, easy side dish.
For the Salad:
- 2 cups cooked Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans (or 1 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed)
- 2 Bell Peppers, different colors, diced
- 1 Cucumber, seeded & diced
- 2 Tomatoes, diced
- 5 stalks Scallions, chopped (both green & white parts)
- A handful of fresh Mint, finely chopped
- A handful of fresh Italian Parsley, finely chopped
For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup fresh Lemon Juice
- Zest of 1 Lemon
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp Chili Powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How To Make Trader Joe’s Balela Salad
A step-by-step guide to this incredibly simple, no-cook, make-ahead salad.
- Chop the Vegetables: Finely dice the bell peppers, cucumber, and tomatoes. Thinly slice the scallions. Finely chop the fresh mint and parsley. Place all these ingredients in a large mixing bowl with the drained and rinsed chickpeas.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, and chili powder. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
- Combine and Serve: Pour the dressing over the chickpea and vegetable mixture and toss well to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. For the best flavor, let the salad marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
For the most flavorful, perfectly balanced Balela salad.
- How to get the best flavor? Letting the salad marinate for at least 30 minutes (or even a few hours) is key. This allows the chickpeas and vegetables to absorb the bright, zesty flavors of the lemon dressing.
- Can I customize this recipe? Absolutely! This is a fantastic base recipe. For a more authentic Middle Eastern flavor, you can add a pinch of sumac. To make it a heartier meal, add some crumbled feta cheese or a can of drained black beans.
- Trader Joe’s Shortcuts: This recipe is perfect for using all Trader Joe’s ingredients, from their canned chickpeas and organic olive oil to their fresh lemons and herbs. For a super quick version, you can toss the ingredients with a bottle of their Lemon Vinaigrette dressing.
- How to get the perfect texture? Finely dicing all the vegetables to a similar size as the chickpeas creates a wonderful, cohesive texture that makes the salad easy to eat with a spoon or scoop up with chips.
What To Serve With Balela Salad
Perfect pairings for this versatile and healthy dish.
This vibrant and satisfying salad is a wonderful side dish for a variety of meals. Serve it:
- As a simple side dish for grilled chicken, fish, or kebabs
- Spooned into a warm pita bread, with or without hummus, for a delicious vegetarian sandwich
- As part of a larger Mediterranean-style meze platter with other dips and salads
- On its own for a light and healthy vegetarian lunch
How To Store Balela Salad
Keeping your make-ahead salad fresh.
- Refrigerate: Store the Balela salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and become even more flavorful for up to 4 days, making it a perfect meal prep option. The cucumbers may release some water, so just give it a good stir before serving.
Trader Joe’s Balela Salad Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 228kcal
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 16g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, but you will need to cook them first. Soak about 1 cup of dried chickpeas overnight, then simmer them in fresh water for 1-2 hours until tender. Let them cool completely before using them in the recipe.
No, the 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder adds a very subtle warmth, not a fiery heat. For a spicier version, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some finely minced fresh chili.
It is highly recommended. The watery, seedy center of a cucumber can make the salad a bit soggy, especially if you’re making it ahead of time.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Sweet and Spicy Pecans Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Lemon Pesto Sauce Recipe
Trader Joe’s Balela Salad Recipe
Course: SaladsCuisine: Eastern-InspiredDifficulty: Easy8
servings15
minutes228
kcalAn easy, healthy, and incredibly flavorful copycat recipe for Trader Joe’s famous Balela Salad. This vibrant, no-cook chickpea and vegetable salad is tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette and is perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked chickpeas (1 can, drained & rinsed)
2 bell peppers, diced
1 cucumber, seeded & diced
2 tomatoes, diced
5 scallions, chopped
A handful each of fresh mint & parsley, chopped
Dressing: 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, zest of 1 lemon, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/4 tsp chili powder, salt, and pepper.
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the drained chickpeas, diced bell peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, and chopped scallions, mint, and parsley.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together all the dressing ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and chili powder.
- Pour the dressing over the chickpea and vegetable mixture and toss well to coat.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- The 30-minute marinating time is highly recommended to allow the chickpeas to absorb all the delicious flavors of the dressing.
- This is a perfect meal prep recipe, as the salad will keep in the fridge and get more flavorful for up to 4 days.
- For an even more authentic Trader Joe’s experience, add a can of drained black beans to the salad.
- Finely dicing all the vegetables creates the best texture for this classic dip-style salad.
