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Easy • Vegetarian

Zesty Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

A vibrant and satisfying vegetarian salad packed with fresh Mediterranean flavors, perfect for a light lunch or side.

Prep
15 min
Cook
0 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Zesty Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Looking for a fresh, zesty, and incredibly satisfying meal that's also super easy to make? This Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is your answer! It's packed with vibrant flavors and textures, simple to prepare, and fantastic for meal prepping. Enjoy it as a light lunch, a side dish, or even tucked into pita bread for a quick dinner.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Salad

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, omit for vegan)

Lemon-Herb Dressing

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3-4 tbsp)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, combine the rinsed and drained chickpeas, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, Kalamata olives, chopped parsley, and chopped mint.

  2. Step 2

    In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined.

  3. Step 3

    Pour the dressing over the chickpea mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are well coated.

  4. Step 4

    Stir in the crumbled feta cheese (if using). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

  5. Step 5

    Serve immediately, or chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld. Enjoy!

Tips

  • For extra protein, add grilled chicken or tuna.
  • This salad holds up well in the fridge for 3-4 days, making it perfect for meal prepping.
  • To reduce the sharpness of the red onion, you can soak it in ice water for 10 minutes, then drain before adding to the salad.

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