Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Light, vibrant, and packed with flavor, this Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is the perfect quick-fix meal or side dish that brings the taste of the Mediterranean straight to your plate. It’s refreshing, protein-rich, and comes together in just minutes.
Servings 4
Calories 250kcal
Cost $8-$10
Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cucumber diced
- ¼ red onion finely sliced
- ⅓ cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint optional, chopped
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Start by chopping the cucumber, halving the cherry tomatoes, thinly slicing the red onion, and roughly chopping the herbs.
- Mix the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar (or lemon juice), minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, add the chickpeas, chopped vegetables, olives, and feta. Pour the dressing over the top.
- Toss and chill: Gently toss everything together until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill for 15 minutes before serving for best flavor.
- Serve: Serve cold or at room temperature as a main dish or a side.
Notes
- Use quality olive oil: It’s the base of your dressing, so choose a fruity, cold-pressed one for the best taste.
- Let it marinate: Give the salad at least 15 minutes to sit before serving to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Rinse canned chickpeas well: This removes excess sodium and improves the flavor and texture.
- Customize it: Add avocado, roasted red peppers, or cooked quinoa to bulk it up even more.