Healthy pulled pork and chickpea salad. Now, you would never have thought that pulled pork and the word ‘healthy’ could be used in the same sentence. But in regard to this recipe, it most certainly can.
If you’re like me, when you hear/see the words pulled pork, you probably have the mental picture of shredded slow cooked pork in a tasty barbeque sauce. The type of pulled pork you would find at an American BBQ joint.
By definition pulled pork is slow cooked pork, which is then pulled from, or shredded from the main piece. Remember my milk braised pork recipe I shared a couple of weeks ago? Picture below for a drooling visual reminder.I did mention when I published that recipe that leftover pork you may have is perfect for sandwiches, or salads. A salad is exactly what I whipped up for the boys and I with the leftovers from that very recipe.
The salad is light and zingy from the lemon juice and mustard dressing. The herbs and garlic add lift and fresh punch to the pork and chickpeas. It hints on Mediterranean in flavour. If you wanted to hint a little further in that direction you could add some sumac, ditch the mustard and add some plain yoghurt or labneh.
How simple is this recipe! I would have to say it is the perfect leftovers dish. Completely transports the tastebuds from the original dish.
If you don’t have a stash of leftover pulled pork on hand, though I strongly suggest making my milk braised pork, you could use some shredded meat from a BBQ chook. Of course you could use some poached chicken if you are feeling particularly virtuous.
Sara xxx
Printable Recipe
Pulled Pork and Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
- 300 grams pulled pork leftovers from milk braised pork recipe
- 400 grams chickpeas (canned), drained and rinsed
- 20 grams parsley roughly chopped
- 15 grams mint roughly chopped
- 65 grams red onion Spanish, sliced (around ½ a medium onion)
- 65 grams baby rocket arugula
- Dressing
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- 50 ml lemon juice
- 10 grams grainy mustard whole grain Dijon
- salt and cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl place pork, chickpeas, parsley, mint, red onion and rocket.
- In a small jar add the dressing ingredients and shake well. Then pour over the salad, toss and serve.
Oven Temperatures
All oven temperatures are fan forced.
Measurement Notes
All measurements are Australian metric standard. All measures are level, and cups are lightly packed unless specified. 1 teaspoon = 5ml / 1 tablespoon = 20mls / 1 cup = 250ml /4 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
The recipe's nutritional information is an approximation based on an online calculator. It is meant solely for reference purposes. If you're looking for precise details, be sure to double-check with your own research.
olivia giovanni
Arugula salad is one of my favorite! And with pulled pork, so yum! Great photos as well 🙂
Paul Storey
This looks so delicious
Sara
Thanks Paul, it really was 🙂
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal
Looks delicious! I love how you lightened-up pulled pork!
Sara
Is a great way to give the leftovers a complete new twist.
Justine | Cooking and Beer
Such a simple, but stunning salad! Love that pulled pork on top!
Sara
I love the simplicity of it too, such a lazy meal, but full of flavour.
Oriana @Mommyhood's Diary
Great way to use leftover!! That salad looks delicious... perfect for a light summer lunch!
Sara
Makes a great lunch, and yes, perfect for summer.
Harriet Emily
one word: divine! I've never tried pulled pork in a salad before. What a great addition, and perfect for summer!
Sara
It really does make a great addition to a salad.
Sarah
This looks like such a perfect salad! I might actually be able to get my husband to eat salad if there is pulled pork involved XD
Sara
I know what you mean!!! This salad worked for me, both husband and son scoffed it down.
Claudia | Gourmet Project
I want two servings... now! 🙂
Sara
Awe thanks Claudia!
Fox Valley Foodie
That looks so fresh and delicious!
Sara
For a salad it went down really well with the boys!
Sammi W
What a wonderful looking salad! Pulled Pork is a fave here so i will have to give this a try 🙂
Sara
Thanks Sammi, my tribe loves their pulled pork too.