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Fresh Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette

fresh mediterranean chickpea salad - featured image
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A vibrant and refreshing Mediterranean chickpea salad featuring crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for a quick, wholesome meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced (English cucumber preferred)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse chickpeas under cold water until water runs clear (about 2 minutes).
  2. Dice cucumber into ½-inch cubes. Halve cherry tomatoes. Finely chop red onion and roughly chop parsley (about 10 minutes).
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified (about 30 seconds).
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, and parsley. Toss gently to mix.
  5. Pour lemon vinaigrette over salad and toss until evenly coated. If using, crumble feta cheese on top and fold gently.
  6. Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. If short on time, chill for at least 10 minutes.
  7. Taste before serving and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.

Notes

Rinse chickpeas well to remove canned flavor and excess sodium. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for best flavor. Mince garlic finely to avoid overpowering bites. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Toss gently to keep feta intact. Can be customized with vegan cheese, grilled veggies, or added protein.

Nutrition

Keywords: chickpea salad, Mediterranean salad, lemon vinaigrette, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, vegetarian, gluten-free

Find it online: https://grubella.com/fresh-mediterranean-chickpea-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-lemon-vinaigrette-tutorial/