Mediterranean Chickpea Salad (Printer View)

Vibrant mix of chickpeas, vegetables, olives, and feta with a lemon herb dressing, perfect for light meals.

# What you'll need:

→ Salad

01 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 large cucumber, diced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
05 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
06 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Lemon Dressing

08 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
12 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Method:

01 - In a large bowl, mix chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onion, feta cheese, and parsley until evenly distributed.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar until emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance flavor melding.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's done in fifteen minutes with zero cooking, perfect for when you want something real but can't face the heat.
  • The flavors get better as it sits, so you can make it ahead and let the lemon and oregano work their magic.
  • One bowl feeds four people, making it ideal for potlucks or lazy dinners when everyone's tired.
02 -
  • Rinse your canned chickpeas thoroughly under cold water, because that starchy liquid will make your salad taste tinny and dull.
  • If you're making this ahead, don't add the feta until just before serving, or it'll get gummy and lose its delicate texture.
03 -
  • Taste the dressing before you pour it over the salad; it should be bright and lemony enough that you notice it, because the vegetables will mellow it slightly.
  • If you accidentally over-dress it, add another handful of fresh vegetables or a bit more feta to balance things out, because salad is forgiving that way.
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