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Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Recipe

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4.4 from 4 reviews

This Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for light lunches or as a side at any meal. Packed with vibrant vegetables, protein-rich chickpeas, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty homemade dressing, it comes together quickly and is best served chilled after marinating in the refrigerator. It’s a wholesome, vegetarian-friendly salad that brings together classic Mediterranean flavors with fresh herbs and spices.

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 15 ounces chickpeas, drained and rinsed (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
  • ½ cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 pint baby tomatoes, halved
  • 6 ounces kalamata olives, drained and rinsed
  • 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic

Dressing Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, dried oregano, ground cumin, sea salt, and black pepper until emulsified and well combined.
  2. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the drained and rinsed chickpeas, diced cucumber, finely diced red onion, halved baby tomatoes, kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons of feta cheese and herbs for garnish.
  3. Mix Salad and Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl and gently stir to ensure everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
  4. Chill the Salad: Cover the salad bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish the salad with the reserved feta cheese, fresh herbs such as dill or parsley, and extra olives if desired. Serve the salad cold for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • For best flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least 1 hour, but it can be made several hours in advance.
  • Feel free to substitute fresh herbs based on preference or availability, such as dill or mint.
  • This salad can be enjoyed as a side dish or a light main course, especially paired with crusty bread or pita.
  • Make sure to rinse canned chickpeas well to reduce sodium content.
  • To keep the salad vegan, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative.

Find it online: https://cookedbysarah.com/mediterranean-chickpea-salad-recipe/