Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Posted Jan 02, 2023, Updated May 12, 2024
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In this Mediterranean chickpea salad recipe, chickpeas, tomatoes, feta and fresh herbs are tossed in a delicious homemade dressing for healthy salad rich in fiber and protein.
This chickpea salad recipe is so fresh and delicious I make it often with our favorite mediterranean dishes like lemon chicken kebabs, Greek meatballs and falafel!
Chickpeas, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, feta and herbs are tossed in a delicious homemade dressing for the best Mediterranean chickpea salad ever!
This chickpea salad is hearty so it’s a perfect salad to meal prep and enjoy all week long.
Chickpea Salad: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chickpeas. You technically can substitute a different bean (such as white beans), if desired, but I recommend chickpeas.
- Red Onion. any onion variety works well in this recipe – red, white, yellow or green onions.
- Baby tomatoes. You can substitute any tomato variety including heirloom, Roma, etc.
- Kalamata Olives. You can substitute your favorite olive variety, but kalamatas give the most authentic Greek flavor.
- Feta Cheese. Goat cheese is an acceptable substitutes for feta.
- Olive oil. Avocado oil is a great substitute if you don’t have olive oil.
- Red wine vinegar. white wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar are great substitutes.
- Dijon mustard. Any mustard variety can be used in place of Dijon.
- Dried oregano. fresh oregano or your favorite Greek spice blend both work well in this recipe.
How to Make Chickpea Salad
Let’s walk through this simple recipe step-by-step! And don’t forget to watch the video.
Begin by whisking together the dressing ingredients in a small bow, then set it aside.
Then, combine the chickpeas (Garbanzo beans), cucumber, onion, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, parsley, cilantro, minced garlic, salt, pepper in a large bowl (preferably with a lid) and stir to combine.
Be sure to save 1-2 tablespoons of feta cheese and herbs to garnish the top of the salad with for serving.
Next, pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and stir to combine.
Then, cover the chickpea salad and chill it for at least 1 hour.
Serve
Garnish with extra feta, fresh dill, olives, etc. and serve cold with your favorite Mediterranean recipes:
- We love serving it with these Greek meatballs, grilled Greek chicken or Lemon Chicken Kabobs.
- It pairs really will with this baked falafel too!
- Serve it with a side of pita bread, hummus and tzatziki!
- Serve it with other salads like Greek salad, greek pasta salad, greek orzo salad, etc.
Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Do not freeze.
Chickpea Salad Recipe FAQs
Yes, absolutely. This recipe calls for a can of chickpeas. Just be sure to drain and rinse them.
Both – ½ cup of chickpeas contains the following:
20 g carbohydrates (including 4 g fiber)
7 g protein
Chickpea salad lasts for up to 1 week store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
This mediterranean chickpea salad is a great source of protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium.
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Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 ounces chickpeas drained and rinsed, about 1 ½ cups.
- 1 cucumber peeled and diced
- ½ cup red onion finely diced
- 1- pint baby tomatoes halved
- 6 ounces kalamata olives drained and rinsed.
- 6 ounces Feta cheese crumbled
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
Dressing:
- 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine chickpeas (Garbanzo beans), cucumber, onion, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, parsley, cilantro, minced garlic, salt, pepper. Be sure to save 1-2 tablespoons of feta cheese and herbs to garnish the top of the salad with for serving.
- Pour dressing over the salad ingredients and stir to combine.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Garnish with extra feta, fresh dill, olives, etc. and serve cold.
Video
Notes
- Chickpeas. You technically can substitute a different bean (such as white beans), if desired, but I recommend chickpeas.
- Red Onion. any onion variety works well in this recipe – red, white, yellow or green onions.
- Baby tomatoes. You can substitute any tomato variety including heirloom, Roma, etc.
- Kalamata Olives. You can substitute your favorite olive variety, but kalamatas give the most authentic Greek flavor.
- Feta Cheese. Goat cheese is an acceptable substitutes for feta.
- Olive oil. Avocado oil is a great substitute if you don’t have olive oil.
- Red wine vinegar. white wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar are great substitutes.
- Dijon mustard. Any mustard variety can be used in place of Dijon.
- Dried oregano. fresh oregano or your favorite Greek spice blend both work well in this recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I substitute a balsamic vinaigrette instead of making the dressing?
You can definitely try it!
Amazing salad…so refreshing! Added grilled chicken and extra lemon! 🍋 Husband loved it! A keeper! Thank you!
Thank you, Janice!
Absolutely delicious! Followed the recipe with no modifications. Will make again!
I am addicted to this salad!! I leave the feta out because I don’t want the dairy. I make this in large quantities and eat it for lunch almost every day. I also add jalapeño stuffed green olives. This is one of my all time favorites!!!
Excellent!!! My salad looked exactly like the photograph. This is an exceptionally good, light, fresh salad for a side to accompany anything or stands alone. We really enjoyed it! Thank you!
Amazing recipe, perfect for summertime! In addition to the salad I also did a Mediterranean Marinade on some chicken breast then grilled, sliced and added. Amazing, will definitely be making this again!!
Great lunch meal prep for myself! So fresh and delicious.
Could I substitute mint for cilantro?
I’ve made this several times. It’s very refreshing as a side or meal. Last time I put smoked salmon on it and crushed red pepper. My husband loves this too!
This is a delicious salad! Really well rounded flavor and super easy to prepare!
My doctors told me I need to go on vegetarian type diet with no red meat. I had run out of ideas until I saw this. I made no changes other than I used balsamic vinegar. This is extremely good. Will eat this regularly for lunch or as a side with dinner.