Vegan Warm Potato Salad Recipe with Spinach and Chickpeas (2024)

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Today’s vegan warm potato salad recipe is quite simple, requires only one pan (less cleanup!), and is almost impossible to mess up!

I make it no secret that potatoes are one of my favorite vegetables: I cook them in different ways a few times a week, and I’ve featured a number of recipes with potatoes on my blog in the past.

I’m also partial to chickpeas, both in their natural form (see my recipes with chickpeas) and ground up into flour (like my savory chickpea flour pancakes).

As you see, this is not your typical mayo-laden potato salad that’s usually served at barbecues and picnics. The absence of mayo makes for a simple yet elegant potato salad that can be used as a standalone dish or a versatile side.

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In this recipe, potatoes are cooked with the rest of the ingredients in a hot skillet, and there’s no need to add any dressing at the end. The combination of fresh rosemary, basil and other spices brings all of the flavors together nicely.

Watch me make this recipe in an episode of my live vegan cooking show on YouTube:

I’ve been making a version of thispotato salad for years, usually as a side for eggs before I went vegan.

After the switch, I decided to experiment with the recipe to make it into a stand-alone meal that could work for lunch or evena light dinner.

Well, ‘experiment’ is a strong word here: I mainly just threw in some chickpeas or black beans, and the dish came out great!

The experimentation continued with adding some fresh spinach to the pan just before taking it off the heat (shown on the pictures), or serving the potatoes on top of some torn-up kale leaves mixed with avocado and lime juice.

Greens definitely complement the spiciness of the potatoes, and I like it how they slightly wilt under the warmth of the potatoes.

Fresh arugula is another type of greens that works great in this recipe. However, this warm potato salad recipe is very forgiving: if you don’t have arugula or spinach in the fridge, just omit them 🙂

I’ve listed oil spray as my preferred method of getting some cooking fat onto the pan in the recipe below, which works for folks who want to eat as little oil as possible.

At the same time, if you’re not concerned about oils, feel free to use regular pourable oil instead of the spray. My recent go-to has been avocado oil, but olive oil works just as well.

The recipe below is highly customizable, as is the case with most of the recipes on my blog.

You can use an entirely different spice combination, although I’m a big fan of adding fresh rosemary and basil. The former especially brings all of the ingredients together and makes the flavor stand out.

No fresh rosemary on hand? Dried is ok too, but you’ll need to add it earlier in the cooking.

This potato salad works well with some crumbled tofu mixed into the potatoes instead of beans.

Vegan Warm Potato Salad Recipe with Spinach and Chickpeas (6)

Yield: 2 servings

This vegan warm potato salad is made in a hot skillet, with vegetables and spices instead of mayonnaise. it makes a great side dish for any meal, or can be served on its own over some fresh greens.

Prep Time8 minutes

Cook Time15 minutes

Total Time23 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 medium red potatoes, cubed into 1/2-inch pieces (can be left unpeeled)
  • 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas or other beans
  • 1/3 cup bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp red onion, chopped
  • 2-3 crimini mushrooms, chopped (optional)
  • Handful fresh spinach or arugula leaves
  • 4-5 fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
  • Olive oil or avocado cooking spray

Spices:

  • 1 tsp rosemary, chopped if fresh/ground if dried
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp granulated garlic

Instructions

  1. Heat a heavy-bottomed nonstick or cast iron pan over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray. Add cubed potatoes, spray them with some more cooking spray, stir with a spatula to distribute them evenly over the pan, and cover with a lid.
  2. Cook for 8-10 min, stirring every 2-3 min to prevent the pieces from sticking to the pan. Meanwhile, chop onions, bell pepper and mushrooms.
  3. The potatoes are going to be almost done when they form a nice brown crust, and slide easily across the pan. If you pierce a piece with a fork, it should go in easily. At this point, add chickpeas, cover with a lid, and cook 2 min more.
  4. Remove the lid, add onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, salt and all of the spices except basil leaves. Cook another 2 min, stirring often.
  5. Stir in a handful of spinach or arugula leaves. As soon as they begin to wilt, take the pan off the heat.
  6. Serve immediately, sprinkled with chopped fresh basil leaves. Enjoy!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 570Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 0mgCarbohydrates: 89gFiber: 19gSugar: 19gProtein: 20g

Please note that the provided nutritional information data is approximate.

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Question for you: Have you ever tried a warm potato salad before? What are your favorite potato dishes?

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Vegan Warm Potato Salad Recipe with Spinach and Chickpeas (11)

Alina Zavatsky - Vegan Runner Eats

Alina first made a switch to a vegan diet in 2013 to optimize her athletic performance as a marathon runner. Eventually she embraced veganism as a way to be kinder to fellow living beings and the environment. Alina hopes that this blog helps its readers on their path to becoming vegan and making this world a better place.

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Vegan Warm Potato Salad Recipe with Spinach and Chickpeas (12)Vegan Warm Potato Salad Recipe with Spinach and Chickpeas (13)Vegan Warm Potato Salad Recipe with Spinach and Chickpeas (14)

Vegan Warm Potato Salad Recipe with Spinach and Chickpeas (2024)

FAQs

Should you add salt to water when boiling potatoes for potato salad? ›

Dense potatoes don't absorb seasonings easily, so you'll need to salt the water liberally so that the water the potatoes do drink up also carries in seasoning. And because potatoes are so timid in flavor, they need that salt to bring them out of their shells. Pour some salt in, then keep going.

Can potato salad be warmed up? ›

If you're up for trying warm potato salad, the good news is that you can transform your classic recipe into a warm meal accompaniment with just a few kitchen appliances. Take a cold portion of potato salad, place it on a microwave-safe plate, and cook on high for at least 90 seconds.

Why don't you peel potatoes for potato salad? ›

There's no reason at all, so my advice is to leave the skins on. The skin on a potato adds a nice texture and flavor to the potato salad and it's also the healthiest part.

How do you keep potatoes from turning black when making potato salad? ›

Add lemon juice or vinegar

Lowering the pH of the potato helps fight off oxidation. Just like you might use a squirt of lime juice to keep guacamole from browning, a bit of lemon juice or white vinegar in the bowl with the potatoes will ward off gray hues.

What herbs are in potato salad Ina Garten? ›

Combine the vinegar, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Add the vinaigrette to the potatoes. Add the scallions, dill, parsley, basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss.

Is it better to boil potatoes whole or cut up for potato salad? ›

Drop a whole russet into the pot and by the time the outside has cooked through, the inside will still be raw. Larger potatoes should be cubed to ensure they cook evenly (peeled first if desired). Smaller potatoes tend to have thin skins and can be boiled whole, no peeling required.

Which type of potato is best for potato salad? ›

To keep your salad from falling apart into mush, it's important to use the best potatoes for potato salad. Skip the russet potatoes and use a waxy variety instead, like Yukon gold, red potatoes or fingerlings.

How long should potatoes boil for? ›

In general small or cubed potatoes will take about 10 to 15 minutes to boil, while larger, whole potatoes will take between 20 to 25 minutes. To check potatoes for doneness, insert a knife into one. If it slides in without much effort, you're good to go!

Is it better to eat potato salad cold or hot? ›

It depends on the salad. Potato salad with mayo dressing should always be served cold. Salad with oil dressing can be served hot or cold, according to the recipe. But cold potato salad offers an additional benefit: more resistant starch, which doesn't get digested and add to your calorie count.

When should you throw out potato salad? ›

Just like regular potato salad you have up to five days to consume it, if stored properly. Is it safe to eat week-old potato salad? The USDA doesn't recommend consuming potato salad that's more than five days old.

How long can warm potato salad sit out? ›

The typically accepted range for room temperature is 68-74 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the FDA, perishables, such as mayonnaise-based potato salad, fall under the "two-hour rule" and should be refrigerated after two hours.

What is potato salad dressing made of? ›

A common potato salad dressing typically consists of a mixture of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Some variations may also include ingredients like chopped onions, celery, pickles, or fresh herbs like dill or parsley.

What makes homemade potato salad watery? ›

Potatoes can retain moisture. To prevent this, drain the potatoes very well in a colander or pot. Allow all the steam to escape the potatoes before mixing them with the dressing and other ingredients.

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