I absolutely love garbanzo beans or chickpeas, and this salad is one of our go-to as it is savory and makes for the perfect lunch or dinner.
Any opportunity to have them incorporated into my meal is always a plus for me. However, all this started because, at our local grocery store, it was the first time I noticed they carried cresson salad or watercress for my Anglo-Saxon friends.

I enjoyed it often growing up in France and was super excited to bring it home and prepare a dish with it. But I did not want to prepare your basic salad either.
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I have also been experimenting with new spices. Therefore, I wanted to play outside my box, and this recipe is the result.
Do not let the recipe’s ease fool you. The rich flavor of the garbanzo beans, which have retained the flavors of the onion, garlic, and thyme, blended with scallions, sumac, sweet chopped dates, and lemon, is out of this world.
I found myself having to make a double batch as I never have leftovers.
It is also the perfect party dish, as it can be prepared halfway through the day before and assembled with the cresson at the last minute.
In this Article
- What is Cresson? and its benefits.
- Garbanzo Beans and dates
- Why am I boiling the Garbanzo beans?
- What is Sumac
- Ingredients needed to make this delicious recipe of cresson, garbanzo beans
- Cooking tips and step-by-step instructions on how to make this garbanzo bean salad
- Pro Tips
- Variations and Substitutions
- Storage instructions:
- Are you looking for other delicious recipes?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Cresson, Garbanzo Beans, Dates Salad
What is Cresson? and its benefits.
Cresson or watercress is a green leafy vegetable that is very rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and K and is considered one of the healthiest vegetables with more than 50 vital minerals and vitamins.
Same family as kale, and broccoli. Nutritious yet extremely low in calories.
An aquatic green that grows in cool, shallow streams. Considered one of the oldest salad greens. It is known that ancient Romans dressed raw watercress with pepper, cumin, and fish sauce.

Garbanzo Beans and dates
Garbanzo beans and dates are also highly nutritional. With these, you have a healthy packed lunch or dinner in your hands.
A fully vegan, gluten-free, packed salad will leave you satisfied and light.
I am adding sumac to my repertoire of spices and cooking.
I love the flavor and how well it marries with lemon juice. They complement each other well.
It is quite a diversified spice that blends well with other herbs.
They are also the main ingredient of hummus.
Why am I boiling the Garbanzo beans?
A while back I prepared a chickpeas recipe, Chickpeas, Cauliflower, Curry vinaigrette that required some boiling.
I really enjoyed how much softer the bite of the garbanzo beans was, so I wanted to use that method here while adding extra flavors.
The dressing penetrated deeper into the garbanzo beans, giving this salad a richer, savory flavor to it.
If you choose to use dry garbanzo beans, please soak them overnight in a large bowl of cold water and change the water a couple of times during that period.
Once they are rehydrated and ready to be enjoyed, use the same boiling process. This will give each bean an extra layer of flavor.

What is Sumac
Sumac is a Mediterranean spice with a pungent, lemony flavor. It can be substituted with lemon zest, lemon juice, or lemon pepper seasoning.
Ingredients needed to make this delicious recipe of cresson, garbanzo beans
Garbanzo beans are the star of this dish. Rinse well and follow the instructions below. Of course, you can skip the par-boiling, but trust me, the flavor is so much more intensified once pre-cooked.
Garlic cloves – add that beautiful zing that we all love.
Thyme springs – are my favorite herb as they give it lots of flavor but are not overpowering.
Bay leaves – release a fantastic aroma once they come in contact with the boiling water. Please do not skip this step.
Onion – once softened the flavor in your dish will be a sweet and savory one.
Salt – seasoning
Cresson salad – watercress, clean well and dry. Green salad or spinach can be a substitute.
Dates – bring a beautiful sweet flavor against the garlic and scallions.
Scallions – add a level of spicy taste that balances well against the sweetness of the dates.
Lemon – provides the acidity needed to make this dish a salad. You can also choose a rich French vinegar.
Mint leaves – refreshing summer flavors and add seasoning to your garbanzo beans salad.
Sumac – deepens the flavor of your dressing mixture.
Olive oil – brings it all together as a salad.

Cooking tips and step-by-step instructions on how to make this garbanzo bean salad
I recommend having all your ingredients ready when you start with this recipe.
Preparing the garbanzo
This step takes the longest; starting with it will allow you to have dinner at your table much sooner than expected.
- Add the rinsed garbanzo beans, thyme, bay leaf, garlic, onions, and salt to a medium, heavy-bottom pot. Cover and bring to a gentle boil. Your garbanzos are done when they are soft to the touch but not mushy. Please do not use a lid, as you want to ensure they do not cook too fast.
- Drain and set aside to cool down.
While the garbanzo beans are cooking, proceed to prepare the other ingredients by:
- Chopping the dates, thinly slicing the scallions, and chopping the mint.
Assembling your salad
- Now that the beans have cooled, add them to a salad bowl. Add all the other ingredients, toss well, and enjoy.

Pro Tips
Prepare all the other ingredients during the cooking time of the garbanzo bean. This will allow you to sit at the table within 30 minutes.
Enjoy this super easy recipe as a light lunch or as a side dish to any protein, roasted chicken being one of our favorites. Or seafood alongside these crunchy fried shrimp
Variations and Substitutions
Green salad or spinach can be a substitute for the cresson.
You can substitute the cresson with arugula salad. The arugula’s bitterness slightly changes the flavor, but the dates compensate for that.
If you have red peppers, slice them in julienne and add them to your salad.
Green olives also bring a great flavor to this salad.
Storage instructions:
- You can prepare the garbanzo and all the other ingredients except the cresson the day before and keep it refrigerated.
- Bring to room temperature, and add the cresson to it.
- Mix well and add more olive oil if you so desire, and you have a quick last-minute meal ready quickly.

Are you looking for other delicious recipes?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans?
Garbanzo beans and chickpeas are the same and can be used interchangeably in this recipe. In the US, they are called chickpeas; in Europe, they are called garbanzo beans.
Are hominy and garbanzo beans the same thing?
Hominy is sometimes compared to chickpeas. While they are prepared similarly when dried and taste alike, the similarity stops there. Hominy is made from field corn or maize soaked in lime or ash solutions.
Why do some people call chickpeas garbanzo beans?
Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are different names for the same type of legume. Neither one is the wrong name to use.
Cresson, Garbanzo Beans, Dates Salad

Ingredients
- 15 ounces garbanzo beans, rinsed
- 2 garlic cloves
- 4 thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ onion, quartered
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces cresson salad
- ¾ cup dates, chopped fresh pitted
- 2 tablespoons scallion, finely sliced
- 1 lemon, zest plus juice
- ¼ cup mint, chopped + some for garnish (optional)
- ½ teaspoon sumac
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
Preparing the Garbanzo Beans
- In a medium pot add the rinsed garbanzo beans, thyme, bay leaf, garlic, onion, and salt. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes, the garbanzo beans need to be soft, whole but not mushy.
- Remove from heat and with a skimmer spatula remove the garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and onion. Drain the garbanzo beans and set them aside to cool down.
Assembling the salad
- Once the garbanzo beans are cool down, place them in a salad bowl, and add the dates, scallions, lemon zest and lemon juice, mint, sumac, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix well until everything is well incorporated. Add the cresson salad, a little bit more of the remaining olive oil and mix gently and serve.
- Garnish with fresh mint and more lemon zest, however, this step is optional.
Nutrition
Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.
Did you make this?
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Originally published on October 20, 2020.
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/
I love your fruit addition to this already perfect (and super healthy) salad. I did not have fresh dates and used fewer dried ones when I made it, but the salad was still very tasty. I need to remember to buy fresh next time😁
Giangi Townsend
I love dates and when I can get fresh one’s I am in heaven, so sweet and tasty.
I am glad you enjoyed the salad.
Jeannie
I havent tried watercres yet on my salad but this salad looks so refreshing. Love the addition of dates
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, Jeannie! Watercress is hard sometimes to find.
Enjoy!
Daniel Ng
I will try this for the Chinese New Year celebration.
Giangi Townsend
THank you, Daniel! Happy New Year!
Andrea
loving everything about this salad! i never thought to add dates into mine. definitely will be moving forward!
Giangi Townsend
I love dates and anywhere I can use them I try to do it.
Enjoy!
Ruth
I loved the flavor combination. Will definitely make again.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you!
Cindy L
This salad looks fantastic. Chickpeas are one of my favourite foods and I am so intrigued about boiling them to impart more flavor.
Giangi Townsend
The onion, bay leaf, and garlic once the garbanzo starts softening, the flavors start infusing themself in the garbanzo. Quite yummy. I hope you will try it.
nancy
love the texture and flavour of this salad! so nourishing too
Giangi Townsend
Thank you!
Joanna
I can imagine all these wonderful flavors mixing together into a perfect symphony of tastes and textures! I’ll be definitely trying it out very soon. Thank you for the recipe.
Giangi Townsend
My pleasure! I hope you will try it as I am sure you will like it.
Christina’s Bread Bakes
As always, your recipes are so delicious and healthy. I love this one! P.S. I used your suggestion for spinach since since I did not find cresson. Will make it again.
Giangi Townsend
Wonderful! I am so happy you enjoyed it with the spinach.
Thank you for stopping by my page.
Dawn
This salad with garbanzo beans and dates is so delicious! We had to substitute the cresson tho because I cannot find it anywhere here. I followed your suggestion above and went with arugula and spinach. Everybody loved it here!
Giangi Townsend
I am so happy you made it and everyone enjoyed it. Such a great light lunch or side dish.
Thank you for sharing with me.
Kayla DiMaggio
I am always on the hunt for a good, easy salad. This was so perfect, easy and delicious!
Jere Cassidy
I am glad to find this recipe. I have just started eating dates and love them, but I have never used them in cooking or baking. Also, I received sumac for a present and have not used it yet. Definitely making this salad.
Natalie
That’s one very healthy and nutritious salad. I’m going to make it tomorrow for lunch. can’t wait.
Giangi Townsend
Bon Appetit! I am sure you will enjoy it!
Ildiko
I love trying something different and this salad sounds delicious. I bet the sumac and lemon really freshen up the earthy flavor of the chickpeas. and the dates give it just a touch of sweetness. Can’t wait to try this with grilled chicken or fish. Thanks.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you! You will love it with any poultry, fish, or meats. Full of flavor that will satisfy any appetite. THe sumac and lemon bring out such a fantastic flavor to this salad.
Enjoy!
Giangi
Colette
I love cresson, especially cresson salad! We make them a lot in Madagascar. This recipe is delicious; I can’t wait to try it! 😋
Giangi Townsend
Thank you so much Colette. I was so fortunate to found cresson here and jump to the opportunity to prepare something with it.
Enjoy this cresson, garbanzo beans, dates salad and love your feedback one you do.
Bon Appetit!!
Giangi
Kris
This looks so yummy and refreshing! I’ve never had watercress, but will try with arugula.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you! You will enjoy it with the arugula. The watercress is similar in taste as the arugula.
Enjoy!
Sue
Wonderful salad with an unusual combination of flavors that works so well together! Bravo!
Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/
I share your love for chickpeas and also use it in salads or chillies. I usually buy a large pack -5kg or so, boil small parts, and freeze it, so that is ready when I need it. Healthy, filling and delicious!
Giangi Townsend
That is fantastic!! I love chickpeas and you are giving some sound and fantastic advice, thank you.
Cindy Mom, the Lunch Lady
This is a wonderful salad. I love garbonzo beans are one of my favourite foods.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you! I would eat them every other day if I could. Love them simple with olive oil and vinegar or in a more elaborate salad.
Enjoy!!
Mayuri Patel
Absolutely a delightful salad, any excuse to enjoy some dates. Filling and healthy too. Hopefully will get a chance to make this salad soon but without the cresson. Will use other salad leaves.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you, Mayuri. You can replace the cresson with arugula or spinach, it will be delicious as well and I am sure you will enjoy it.
Enjoy it and thank you for stopping by Giangi’s Kitchen.
Francy
I like to eat salad in my week lunch, l m always looking for new ideas, your looks very delicious with dates. I need to make 😋
Giangi Townsend
Thank you Francy! It is quite an enjoyable salad and marries so well with the dates. Love to have your feedback when you make it.
Enjoy it!
Preeti Shridhar
Great looking salad.
Love chickpeas in salads. Makes it filling and a good protein option for vegetarians.
Giangi Townsend
Thank you Preeti, I am trying to incorporate more vegetarian recipes or suggestions on how to make it more vegetarian.
Thank you for stopping by Giangi’s Kitchen.