Description
This vibrant Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish combining protein-rich chickpeas with fresh vegetables, tangy lemon juice, and creamy feta cheese. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish, it brings together classic Mediterranean flavors with minimal preparation and no cooking required.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tbsp)
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Rinse the chickpeas thoroughly under cold water to remove any canning residue. Chop the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces, finely chop the red onion, and chop the fresh parsley.
- Combine Salad Components: In a large mixing bowl, add the rinsed chickpeas, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped red onion, chopped parsley, and crumbled feta cheese. Gently mix everything together to evenly distribute the ingredients without mashing them.
- Add Dressing and Season: Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice over the salad mixture. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. Toss the salad thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well-coated in the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, cover the salad and let it rest in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes. This allows the ingredients to meld and the dressing to infuse the salad. Serve chilled as a refreshing and healthy dish.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the most vibrant flavor.
- Can be customized with additional herbs like mint or basil.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Perfect for meal prep as it holds well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Add a dash of cumin or smoked paprika for a spiced twist.
