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This Mediterranean chickpea salad recipe is nothing short of amazing! It’s bursting with fresh flavor, vibrant colors, and nourishing ingredients! Plus, it’s packed with protein and fiber from the chickpeas, making it both satisfying and good for you. Tossed in a bright, zesty lemon herb dressing, every bite is refreshing and full of bold Mediterranean flavors.
Whether you’re serving it as a side dish, enjoying it for lunch, or bringing it to a potluck, this salad is a total crowd-pleaser. Don’t miss this one. It’s a must-make!
Love Mediterranean flavors? Try our Mediterranean spaghetti squash recipe, flavor-packed Mediterranean tuna salad, and juicy Mediterranean turkey burgers next!
Why You Will Love This Chickpea Salad
- Bursting With Flavor: Every bite is packed with incredible, fresh Mediterranean flavors that come together beautifully.
- High-Protein & High-Fiber: The chickpeas make this salad a satisfying and nutritious option.
- Easy to Make: This salad is simple to prepare and quick to toss together.
- Great for Meal Prep: This recipe makes a generous amount, making it ideal for enjoying throughout the week. It stores well in the fridge for meal prep!
- Lightened-Up: This recipe is a healthier choice, made with just one tablespoon of oil for the entire salad, and completely without mayo!
Ingredients Needed
- Chickpeas: The hearty base of this Mediterranean salad. Use two cans of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained.
- Cucumber: Adds a refreshing flavor and crunchy texture to the salad.
- Red Bell Pepper: Diced for a bright, sweet flavor and extra crunch.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Add a juicy burst of flavor that complements the savory elements.
- Feta Cheese: Light crumbled feta brings a creamy, tangy, and slightly salty touch that ties everything together.
- Red Onion: Adds a crisp bite that balances the other flavors.
- Olives: Pitted Kalamata olives add a rich and briny depth of flavor for that classic Mediterranean taste.
- Dressing: Our incredibly flavorful dressing is made with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. It’s what ties everything together and makes each bite so delicious!
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Olives to Use: You can swap the Kalamata olives for any olives you love. Green olives, black olives, or a mix of different kinds all work well.
- Dried Beans Option: If preferred, you can use dried chickpeas instead of canned chickpeas. Just fully cook the dried chickpeas and let them cool before adding them to the salad.
- Chickpea Substitution: You can substitute the chickpeas with white beans, like cannellini or Great Northern beans, for a slightly creamier texture and milder flavor.
- Cheese: If preferred, swap the feta cheese for goat cheese or grated parmesan.
- Vegan Option: For a dairy-free and vegan option, leave out the feta cheese.
- Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken or canned tuna to add even more protein! Or, try our Mediterranean tuna salad recipe!
How To Make Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Step 1: Rinse and drain the canned chickpeas. Pat them dry with towels to remove any excess moisture, then place them in a large bowl.
Step 2: Dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Quarter the cherry tomatoes and chop the olives.
Step 3: Add the cucumber, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, crumbled light feta cheese, red onion, and Kalamata olives to the bowl with the chickpeas. Toss gently to combine.
Step 4: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, crushed garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper until combined.
Step 5: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
Step 6: Transfer the salad to an airtight container and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until ready to serve, to let the flavors meld together.
Serving Suggestions
We love serving this Mediterranean chickpea salad as a flavorful side dish alongside our air fryer chicken tenders or juicy air fryer chicken thighs. Or, you can enjoy it as a satisfying main dish straight from the bowl or stuffed into pita pockets! It also pairs beautifully with grilled fish, air fryer shrimp, or our Mediterranean turkey burgers!
Expert Tips
- Rinse & Drain the Beans: Make sure to rinse and drain the chickpeas thoroughly to remove excess sodium, then let them dry completely. This helps them better absorb the dressing and prevents the salad from becoming watery.
- Evenly Chop: Dice all the veggies into even-sized pieces so you get a little bit of everything in each bite.
- Chill the Salad: It’s best to let the salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. It allows the flavors to meld together even more!
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens up the dressing and makes a big difference in flavor.
- Adjust to Taste: Always taste and adjust the seasoning before serving to make it just right for you.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover Mediterranean chickpea salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The flavors continue to develop over time, making it even more delicious the next day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze Chickpea Salad?
No, we don’t recommend freezing this chickpea salad because the fresh vegetables and feta don’t hold up well once thawed.
Is Chickpea Salad Gluten-Free?
Yes, this Mediterranean chickpea salad recipe is naturally gluten-free!
More Chickpea Recipes To Try!
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
MEDITERRANEAN CHICKPEA SALAD
Ingredients
For The Salad:
- 2, 15.5-ounce cans of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 3 ounces crumbled light feta cheese
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped
For The Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the canned chickpeas. Pat them dry with towels to remove any excess moisture, then place them in a large bowl.
- Dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Quarter the cherry tomatoes and chop the olives.
- Add the cucumber, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, crumbled light feta cheese, red onion, and Kalamata olives to the bowl with the chickpeas. Toss gently to combine.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, crushed garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the salad to an airtight container and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until ready to serve, to let the flavors meld together.
Video
Notes
- Chickpeas: You can substitute the chickpeas with white beans, like cannellini or Great Northern beans, for a slightly creamier texture and milder flavor.
- Olives: You can swap the Kalamata olives for any olives you love. Green olives, black olives, or a mix of different kinds all work well.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Looking for a healthy, flavorful, and easy meal? This Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is packed with protein and fiber, loaded with fresh vegetables, and tossed in a zesty lemon herb dressing. It is perfect for meal prep, picnics, or a quick Mediterranean-inspired lunch!