Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
This chickpea salad is less about cooking and more about balancing textures. Creamy chickpeas and feta are paired with crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes and briny olives, while parsley and lemon keep the mixture tasting fresh.
Giving the salad ten minutes to rest before serving allows the chickpeas to pick up some of the dressing without softening the vegetables too much. It works as a light lunch, a picnic salad or a side for grilled chicken and fish.
A Chickpea Salad That Improves After a Short Rest
- There is no cooking required once the chickpeas are drained.
- Olives and feta provide enough saltiness that the dressing can stay simple.
- A short rest lets the chickpeas absorb more lemon-and-herb flavor.
- It travels well for lunches, picnics and potlucks.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Mediterranean chickpea salad is a no-cook meal or side with crisp vegetables, herbs, feta and a lemon-olive oil dressing. Canned chickpeas make it especially quick.
Ingredients
- 2 cans chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 cucumber diced
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives sliced
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Combine chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, parsley, feta and olives.
- Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss gently.
- Rest 10 minutes before serving if time allows.
Notes
Cooking times can vary by equipment and ingredient size. Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands, and portion sizes.
Texture Is the Checkpoint With Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Rinse and drain chickpeas well.
- Slice onion thinly.
- Add feta gently so it stays in pieces.
- Taste after resting because olives and feta add salt.
A Few Sides That Make Sense Here
- Grilled chicken
- Salmon
- Pita
- Hummus
- Soup
What to Cook After Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
If you enjoyed this recipe, try one of these next:
Planning Ahead With Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Refrigerate in a sealed container. For the crispest vegetables, keep dressing separate until shortly before serving.
