Description
Savor Mediterranean magic with this chickpea salad, blending crisp vegetables, zesty herbs, and tangy feta in a refreshing ensemble. Mediterranean flavors dance across your palate, inviting you to explore a light, nutritious dish perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 2 cups chickpeas (canned or cooked)
- 1 cucumber (medium)
- 1 red onion (small)
- 2 tomatoes (ripe)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup fresh mint
Protein and Cheese:
- 1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Drain and rinse chickpeas thoroughly, ensuring no excess liquid remains for a crisp salad texture.
- Dice cucumber into uniform small cubes, creating a refreshing and consistent base for the salad.
- Thinly slice red onion into delicate half-moons to distribute a mild, sharp flavor throughout the dish.
- Chop ripe tomatoes into bite-sized pieces, capturing their juicy essence and vibrant color.
- Finely mince fresh parsley and mint, releasing their aromatic oils and enhancing the Mediterranean profile.
- Crumble feta cheese into irregular chunks, adding a creamy and tangy element to the salad.
- Roughly chop kalamata olives to distribute their rich, briny flavor evenly.
- Prepare the dressing by whisking olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and minced garlic until well combined.
- Sprinkle dried oregano, salt, and black pepper into the dressing, creating a harmonious blend of seasonings.
- Gently combine all chopped vegetables, chickpeas, feta, and olives in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss delicately to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated.
- Let the salad rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
- Garnish with additional fresh herbs before serving for an extra burst of color and aroma.
Notes
- Prep Chickpeas Carefully: Drain and rinse chickpeas thoroughly to remove excess liquid, ensuring a crisp and clean texture that prevents wateriness in the salad.
- Cutting Technique Matters: Use a sharp knife to create uniform vegetable cuts, which helps distribute flavors evenly and creates a visually appealing presentation.
- Make Ahead Friendly: This salad tastes even better after marinating for a few hours in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify.
- Dietary Flexibility: Easily transform the salad into a vegan version by omitting feta cheese or replacing it with plant-based alternatives like nutritional yeast or vegan feta.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg