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Fresh Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Zesty Lemon Dressing

fresh mediterranean chickpea salad - featured image
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A quick, easy, and refreshing Mediterranean chickpea salad featuring a bright and tangy lemon dressing, perfect for summer and busy days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (15 oz / 425 g) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh, finely chopped)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash and dice the cucumber into small, bite-sized pieces (about 1/2-inch cubes). Halve the cherry tomatoes and finely chop the red onion and parsley. Slice the Kalamata olives into rings or halves.
  2. Rinse and drain the chickpeas thoroughly to remove canning liquid and excess salt.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking vigorously to emulsify the dressing. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, and parsley. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until well coated.
  5. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top if using. Toss gently or leave feta as a topping.
  6. Let the salad rest at room temperature for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld. If preparing ahead, cover and refrigerate, then bring to room temperature before serving.

Notes

Rinse canned chickpeas thoroughly to remove excess sodium and canned flavor. Adjust lemon juice to balance acidity. Use fresh garlic minced finely for best flavor. Avoid overdressing to keep salad fresh. Let salad rest at room temperature for best flavor or chill for crispness. Keep feta separate if storing to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean chickpea salad, lemon dressing, easy salad, summer salad, healthy salad, vegetarian, gluten-free

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/fresh-mediterranean-chickpea-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-lemon-dressing-for-summer/