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Fresh Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Recipe Easy Zesty Flavors for Summer

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A quick and easy fresh Mediterranean chickpea salad bursting with zesty lemon, garlic, herbs, and crisp veggies. Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or a light, healthy meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 ½ cups (about 250 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium English cucumber, diced
  • ½ small red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup (75 g) Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, loosely packed and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped (optional)
  • Juice of 2 medium lemons (about ¼ cup / 60 ml)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse and drain chickpeas under cold water until water runs clear; let drain well for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, finely chop red onion, slice Kalamata olives, and chop parsley and mint.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and herbs. Pour dressing over and gently toss to coat evenly.
  5. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  6. Before serving, stir the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.

Notes

Rinse chickpeas well to remove excess sodium and canned flavor. Soak red onions in cold water for 10 minutes if a milder taste is preferred. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Gently toss to avoid breaking chickpeas. Best enjoyed within 1-2 days for freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean chickpea salad, chickpea salad, summer salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, zesty salad, vegan salad, gluten-free salad