This chickpea burgers with sour cherry salsa recipe is a delicious plant based, healthy dinner idea that’s perfect for meatless Mondays.

This post was created in partnership with Cherry Marketing Institute. All opinions are our own.

There’s nothing like having a child to make you value family. Alex and my son Larson is just 3 months, but in that time he’s drawn us closer to our extended family as we teach him the joys of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Speaking of, I never got to meet my maternal grandfather. He passed when my mother was only 8, from a heart attack. I’ve always wondered what he was like. Would he have been a mentor figure to me? Did he tell stories? Was he funny? My mother always told me she never envisioned living past 35, since her dad didn’t make it that far. Luckily my mom is happy and healthy today, but it makes me think. What can Alex and I do to make sure we’re here to enjoy the future with Larson and his children?

Want a more traditional burger? Try our Best Chickpea Burgers or Best Veggie Burgers.

Tart cherries & health

Of course we can’t change the future or avoid catastrophe, but what we can do is cherish our health. Though we don’t have full control, we can take steps towards ensuring our bodies will be strong and healthy. Since my grandfather’s death from a heart attack in 1961, cardiovascular disease still remains the number 1 killer of both men and women in North America. At the same time, changes in diet and exercise can go a long way in helping to keep your heart healthy.

These chickpea burgers with sour cherry salsa are inspired by the theme of heart health. They’re full of nourishing vegetables and feature tart cherries, since researchers have found that Montmorency tart cherries may provide a number of cardiovascular benefits. Why tart cherries? The health benefits come primarily from anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Studies indicate that Montmorency tart cherries may help lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, reduce inflammation, and improve belly fat. These are all factors specifically linked to heart disease risk.

How to make chickpea burgers

These chickpea burgers with zesty sour cherry salsa are a delicious way to foster your health. If you’re a regular meat eater, remember that of course a chickpea burger is not a hamburger! Think of them as a veggie-filled sandwich, that happens to be burger shaped, savory, and delicious. These chickpea burgers are full of flavor and also stays together on the bun. They take a bit of time to make, but are absolutely worth it and leftovers save well. They’re one of our favorite chickpea recipes we’ve made!

The sour cherry salsa is fantastic: lightly sweet and ultra tangy. It would also work wonderfully over fish, and leftovers from the recipe are perfect with tortilla chips. We paired the burger with a slather of spicy mayo, which is the perfect texture contrast to the salsa and chickpea burgers. Or, try our Special Burger Sauce!

More with tart cherries

Montmorency tart cherries have been linked to several health benefits; and lucky for us, they’re incredibly delicious! We love them by the handful–and here are a few more recipes featuring this tasty fruit:

Looking for Meatless Monday recipes?

Our website is chock full of Meatless Monday recipes! Here are a few of our favorites:

This recipe is…

These chickpea burgers with sour cherry salsa are vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, naturally sweet, and refined sugar-free. For gluten-free: Use a gluten-free English muffin or bun, and gluten-free flour in the burger.