Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

About Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Fresh veggies, herbs, and a zesty dressing add bold flavor to this chickpea salad recipe. Healthy and satisfying, it's perfect for picnics and lunches! You can never have enough chickpea salad recipes in your back pocket, right? I definitely feel that way, and I hope you do too, because even though there are already several chickpea salads on this blog, this NEW chickpea salad recipe is a total keeper. It’s filled with fresh Mediterranean flavors—crispy cucumbers play off juicy tomatoes, which in turn contrast with the tender chickpeas. Briny olives and pickled onions add a delicious pop, and handfuls of herbs freshen the whole thing up. A zippy lemon dressing ties it all together. This chickpea salad is healthy, satisfying, flavorful, and fresh. It’s exactly the sort of thing I like to make for picnics and lunches throughout the summer. Just add a side of sunshine to make it a meal. Enjoy!

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Ingredients

• 2 cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans): drained and rinsed (or 3 cups cooked)
• 1 cup grape tomatoes: halved (mix of yellow and red for color)
• 1 English cucumber: diced
• ½ cup pickled red onions: (or sliced green onion as a substitute)
• ½ cup Kalamata olives: pitted and halved
• ¼ cup fresh parsley: chopped
• ¼ cup fresh dill: chopped
• ¼ cup fresh mint: chopped
• For the Lemon Dressing:
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic: minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste

How to Make Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

• Make the dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and several grinds of pepper at the bottom of a large bowl.

• Add the ingredients: Add the chickpeas, olives, pickled onions, grape tomatoes, and cucumber to the bowl. Toss to coat the ingredients in the dressing.

• Incorporate the herbs: Add the fresh parsley, dill, and mint. Toss again to ensure the salad ingredients are well combined.

• Season and serve: Season to taste and serve immediately. If serving for a special occasion, consider garnishing with extra fresh mint leaves.

Cooking Tips

• Fresh Herbs: If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but fresh herbs will provide the best flavor and freshness.
• Add Protein: For an extra protein boost, consider adding feta cheese or grilled chicken. This can make the salad more filling and satisfying.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will meld together even more as it sits!

Serving Suggestions

• Serve this salad on a bed of mixed greens for a more filling meal.
• Pair with pita bread or whole-grain crackers for a complete Mediterranean-inspired lunch.
• Great for potlucks, barbecues, or as a side dish for grilled meats.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavors will develop as it sits.
• Freezing: This salad is not recommended for freezing due to the texture of the vegetables.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 210
• Protein: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 400mg