• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Recipes Worth Repeating
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me
    • Media Kit
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Cookbooks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Cookbooks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Snacks

    Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps with Chickpeas and Pesto

    Published: Feb 1, 2024 by Amanda Mason · 33 Comments

    Yield 8 people
    Cook 10 minutes minutes
    Prep 10 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe
    White plate containing a Pesto Chickpea lettuce wrap, bowl of pesto chickpeas on table.
    Mixing the pesto chickpeas in a bowl
    Cooking the pesto in a pan
    Platter. of multiple Pesto Chickpea Lettuce Wraps.
    Pesto Chickpea Lettuce wrap on a plate with a bowl of Chickpeas behind it.
    Ingredients for Pesto Chickpea Lettuce Wraps, Bibb lettuce, olive oil, chickpeas, basil leaves, garlic, lime, cumin, salt and pepper.
    Lettuce wraps filled with chickpeas and pesto sauce.

    These vegetarian lettuce wraps with chickpeas and homemade pesto are soon to be your favorite quick and easy high-protein lunch!

    White plate containing a Vegetarian lettuce wrap, bowl of pesto chickpeas on table.

    If you love PF Changs lettuce wraps but want a quicker version to make (that's also meatless and full of fiber), these vegetarian lettuce wraps are the perfect fit. With seasoned and sautéed chickpeas and a homemade pesto sauce that comes together in just minutes, they make the perfect quick and healthy lunch!

    I love serving these chickpea lettuce wraps with this Creamy Tomato Basil Soup or my Orange and Kale Salad for a complete meal. Or, you can always makes these lettuce wraps with smaller lettuce leaves and eat them as a snack or appetizer! However you eat them, they take just 15 minutes to make and can be stored in the refrigerator to be enjoyed anytime the craving strikes!

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • 🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
    • 🔪 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
    • 🙋🏼‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
    • Expert Tips
    • 🥘 More Easy Recipes To Try
    • Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps with Chickpeas and Pesto

    Why This Recipe Works

    • These vegetarian lettuce wraps are soy-free, gluten-free and full of fiber and protein! The chickpeas really help you feel full and satisfied!
    • The homemade basil pesto sauce takes just minutes to blend together and adds the most incredible fresh flavor to these lettuce wraps!
    • This is an excellent dish to make if you do meal prep! Store the chickpeas and pesto in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I love how they taste when they are served cold straight from the fridge!

    🛒 Ingredients You'll Need

    Ingredients for Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps, Bibb lettuce, olive oil, chickpeas, basil leaves, garlic, lime, cumin, salt and pepper.
    • Extra Virgin Olive Oil - adds a rich flavor to the chickpeas, perfect for lightly sauteeing them.
    • Chickpeas - full of fiber and protein, chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) are the protein source of these vegetarian lettuce wraps, making them super filling and nutrient-dense.
    • Ground Cumin - adds a warm, earthy flavor to the chickpeas.
    • Fresh Basil Leaves - for the fresh basil pesto, adds a fresh and herby flavor to the chickpeas.
    • Lime Juice - freshly squeezed for a fresh and tangy flavor that enhances the pesto.
    • Garlic Clove - infuses the pesto with a fresh kick of garlic flavor.
    • Bibb or Boston Lettuce - soft leaves are perfect for folding around the chickpea filling, and the mild flavor complements the filling without overpowering it.
    • Salt - to enhance the other flavors of the dish.
    • Pepper - adds a peppery kick of heat and complex flavor to the dish.

    Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter your email to receive this recipe, along with weekly food inspiration!

    🔪 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

    Sautéing chickpeas and cumin in olive oil.

    Step 1: Start with preparing the chickpea salad. It's so easy. Heat a Tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a saucepan, add the cumin and chickpeas. Sauté for a couple of minutes. Set aside in a bowl.

    Ingredients for pesto in a food processor.

    Step 2: Next prepare the pesto sauce. Add in fresh basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil, a garlic clove, lime juice, a bit more cumin, and some salt and pepper to a food processor. Put the top on the food processor and pulse for a couple of minutes until your ingredients are well blended.

    Processing pesto.

    Step 3: Once all the pesto sauce ingredients are chopped up and well combined, remove from the food processor using a spatula.

    Pesto in a saucepan.

    Step 4: Pour the pesto into a small saucepan and turn the stovetop on medium-high. You'll want to cook this crazy yummy pesto for 4-5 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste as needed.

    A bowl of seasoned chickpeas covered in basil pesto.

    Step 5: Once the pesto sauce is hot, pour it into the bowl of chickpeas. Stir well to combine.

    Vegetarian lettuce wraps filled with chickpeas and pesto.

    Step 6: Tear off each leaf of your Bibb Lettuce and wash well. Scoop a spoonful of the Pesto Chickpea into each leaf and you've got yourself a super healthy lettuce wrap on your hands! Or just skip the lettuce, pick up a spoon and eat it out of the bowl. Either method is totally acceptable 🙂

    🙋🏼‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

    What kind of lettuce is good for lettuce wraps?

    Any mild-tasting, pliable, leafy green will work for lettuce wraps. Bibb, Boston lettuce and Romaine lettuce are common choices that taste amazing and hold up well!

    What goes well with lettuce wraps?

    Soup, salads, raw or roasted veggies with hummus, ramen, chow mein, or steamed rice are all fantastic sides to serve with lettuce wraps.

    Expert Tips

    1. Before sautéing the chickpeas, drain, rinse, and dry them really well with a paper towel. Removing most of the moisture before heating them will help them crisp up even more.
    2. You can eat these hot, at room temperature or cold. Personally, I enjoy them cold!
    3. Garnishes like toasted pine nuts, crumbled feta cheese, or a drizzle of flavored olive oil elevate the flavor and presentation of these vegetarian lettuce wraps.
    4. Store the chickpeas and pesto mixture in an air-tight refrigerator-safe container for up to 3 days.
    5. Serve as an appetizer, lunch or snack!

    🥘 More Easy Recipes To Try

    • A plate of Corn on the cob and Cotija cheese on a white plate.
      Mexican Grilled Corn (Elote Recipe)
    • Glass containing a berry smoothie topped with 2 raspberries and a mint spring, berries and banana on table.
      Quick and Easy Raspberry Smoothie
    • Slice of white sauce spinach lasagna on a spatula coming out of a pan.
      White Sauce Lasagna Recipe
    • Smoked chicken quarters on a slate plate topped with BBQ sauce.
      Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters

    If you tried these vegetarian lettuce wraps or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!

    📧 Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter, so that you don’t miss out on any of my delicious recipes!

    White dish containing 4 Pesto Chickpea Lettuce Wraps sitting on a white marble table.

    Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps with Chickpeas and Pesto

    These vegetarian lettuce wraps with chickpeas and homemade pesto are soon to be your favorite quick and easy high-protein lunch!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Lunch, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 183kcal
    Author: Amanda Mason

    Ingredients

    Chickpea Salad

    • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 3 cups canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
    • 2 teaspoons cumin, ground

    Pesto Sauce

    • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 1 teaspoon cumin, ground
    • salt, to taste
    • pepper, to taste
    • 1 head bibb lettuce

    Instructions

    Chickpea Salad

    • Heat 2 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
    • Add the chickpeas and cumin. Sauté for 2 minutes. Set aside.

    Pesto Sauce

    • Combine all the ingredients for the pesto sauce in a food processor and pulse until well blended.
    • Once blended, pour the pesto into a small saucepan and heat for 4-5 minutes. 
    • Once hot, pour the pesto sauce into the bowl of chickpeas and mix well.
    • Serve in a the lettuce leaves. Serve hot, room temperature or cold. 

    Notes

    • Before sautéing the chickpeas, drain, rinse, and dry them really well with a paper towel. Removing most of the moisture before heating them will help them crisp up even more.
    • You can eat these hot, at room temperature or cold. 
    • Garnishes like toasted pine nuts, crumbled feta cheese, or a drizzle of flavored olive oil elevate the flavor and presentation of these vegetarian lettuce wraps.
    • Store the chickpeas and pesto mixture in an air-tight refrigerator-safe container for up to 3 days.

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter your email to receive this recipe, along with weekly food inspiration!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 1390mg | Potassium: 1345mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 8055IU | Vitamin C: 20.1mg | Calcium: 370mg | Iron: 13.9mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @RecipesWorthRep or tag #RecipesWorthRepeating!
    « Pecan-Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
    Simple Guacamole Recipe »
    757 shares

    About Amanda Mason

    Hi! I'm Amanda, the founder and creator behind Recipes Worth Repeating! Simply put, I focus on creating delicious recipes for everyone. I offer variety. I offer convenience. I offer yumminess! And that's why people keep coming back. The recipes I create are absolutely worth repeating.

    Founded in 2012, Recipes Worth Repeating grew from people routinely asking me to email them the recipe for my latest dish. Recipe development comes naturally to me and I find cooking relaxing. Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, I developed a passion for cooking at an early age and I love to showcase a variety of recipes on my blog.Creating delicious new recipes, still photography, and video for Recipes Worth Repeating is the driving force behind what engages my readers to keep coming back for more recipes they will love.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 7 votes

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




       

    1. Lewis Johnson

      March 18, 2019 at 9:40 am

      That looks super delicious.

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        March 19, 2019 at 6:39 am

        Thanks, Lewis! Let me know how you like them!!

        Reply
    2. Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen

      July 27, 2018 at 7:59 am

      I love the versatility of being able to eat it hot, cold, or at room temp! This is such a pretty recipe - love all those fresh herbs!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        August 02, 2018 at 6:32 am

        Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Miz Helen

      July 17, 2018 at 11:39 am

      5 stars
      I love a great lettuce wrap and this looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and sure hope you are having a great week!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        July 19, 2018 at 7:04 am

        I hope you enjoy! Not your typical lettuce wrap..which was the intent!

        Reply
    4. Jyothi (Jo)

      July 16, 2018 at 6:24 am

      5 stars
      Oh pesto chickpeas in crunchy lettuce wraps! Sign me up please! Looks absolutely delicious

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        July 16, 2018 at 10:24 pm

        Thanks! I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Andrea

      July 16, 2018 at 6:19 am

      These scream summer happy hour all over! Can't wait to give them a try next time I have friends coming over!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        July 16, 2018 at 10:23 pm

        Enjoy! They are a crowd pleaser!

        Reply
    6. Stacey

      July 16, 2018 at 6:05 am

      5 stars
      Love lettuce wraps! These look amazing and I like the pesto happening in there!

      Reply
      • Amanda Mason

        July 16, 2018 at 10:23 pm

        The pesto gives it such a unique twist!!

        Reply
    7. Amanda Mason

      July 15, 2018 at 8:54 pm

      Thank you! Yep - they are definately appetizing and pretty to look at but they taste amazing, too!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Amanda! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I'm a wife, mother of two, lover of all things food and wine, and photographer. Here at Recipes Worth Repeating, you're going to find the most delicious and easy to make recipes everyone will love.

    More about me →

    Most Popular Recipes ❤️

    • Applewood Smoked Chicken on a wooden cutting board, fork in chicken.
      Applewood Smoked Chicken
    • Mexican Corn Recipe
    • Beef Enchilada Casserole
    • Wooden spoon filled with penne pasta, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
      Easy Penne Pasta Bake

    👨🏼‍👩🏼‍👧🏼‍👦🏼 Father's Day Recipes

    • Cheese stuffed hamburger on a grilled bun.
      How To Make Juicy Lucy Burgers
    • Closeup of smoked Tri Tip on a black slate being sliced.
      Smoked Tri Tip
    • Greek Marinated Chicken in a white bowl, lemon zest on top.
      Greek Chicken Marinade
    • Close up of a smoked chuck roast on a smoker, temperature probe inserted.
      Smoked Chuck Roast

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

     As Seen In

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Media Kit
    • Work with Me

    COPYRIGHT © 2012-2025 AMANDA MASON/RECIPES WORTH REPEATING

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.