Mediterranean Chickpea Salad (Printable Version)

A vibrant mix of chickpeas, fresh vegetables, olives, and feta tossed in tangy lemon dressing.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Salad

01 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 large cucumber, diced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
05 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
06 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Lemon Dressing

08 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
12 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, mix chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, red onion, feta, and parsley until evenly combined.
02 - In a separate small bowl or jar, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - Pour dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss to coat all components thoroughly.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance flavor melding.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes with zero cooking, making it perfect for days when you want something fresh without the fuss.
  • The salad actually improves as it sits, so you can make it ahead and the flavors deepen beautifully.
  • One bowl feels light and satisfying at the same time, and it works equally well as a side dish or a complete lunch.
02 -
  • Drain and rinse your canned chickpeas properly, otherwise they'll taste metallic and overpower the freshness.
  • Don't dress the salad more than an hour ahead or it gets soggy, but you can prep all the vegetables the night before.
  • If you're serving this at room temperature, taste it again right before serving because seasoning always tastes different when cold.
03 -
  • Squeeze your lemon juice fresh right into a jar with oil and close the lid tight, that's all the emulsification you need.
  • If the salad tastes flat, it's not that you need more of everything, it's that you need more salt and lemon.
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