Description
A refreshing and vibrant Mediterranean Chickpea Salad featuring protein-packed chickpeas, crisp cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes, tangy Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing with herbs and spices.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing & Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Chickpeas: Drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly under cold water, making sure to remove any excess liquid.
- Dice Cucumber: Peel and dice the cucumber into small bite-sized pieces, discarding the ends.
- Halve Cherry Tomatoes: Cut the cherry tomatoes in half to ensure even sizing for consistency in texture and flavor.
- Chop Red Onion: Peel and finely chop the red onion into small pieces to avoid overpowering bites.
- Slice Olives: Pit the Kalamata olives and slice them into rings or half-moons for easy eating.
- Prepare Feta Cheese: Crumble the feta cheese into small, bite-sized pieces that blend well with other ingredients.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chickpeas, diced cucumber, halved tomatoes, chopped onion, olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Add Olive Oil: Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil evenly over the salad to lightly coat all the ingredients.
- Add Vinegar and Spices: Pour in the red wine vinegar followed by dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Toss Salad: Gently but thoroughly toss the salad to combine all flavors and ensure even distribution of the dressing.
- Add Parsley: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for color and a fresh herbaceous finish.
- Final Toss: Give the salad one last gentle toss to distribute the parsley evenly throughout the salad.
- Serve or Chill: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to two hours to let the flavors meld together before serving.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but benefits from chilling to enhance the flavors.
- You can substitute feta cheese with a vegan alternative to make the dish vegan.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on dietary preferences.
- Great as a light lunch or a side dish for Mediterranean-inspired meals.
- For added crunch, consider topping with toasted pine nuts or chopped cucumbers just before serving.
