Fresh Mediterranean Salad Chickpeas (Printable)

A crisp Mediterranean salad featuring chickpeas, olives, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large cucumber, diced
02 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Legumes

05 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Olives & Cheese

06 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
07 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, omit for vegan)

→ Fresh Herbs

08 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

09 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 clove garlic, minced
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - In a large salad bowl, mix cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, chickpeas, olives, and parsley until evenly distributed.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small mixing bowl until emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine all flavors.
04 - Optionally, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top, or omit for a vegan alternative.
05 - Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to let the flavors meld before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in the time it takes to listen to three songs, no heat required.
  • Every bite has crunch, creaminess, salt, and brightness all at once.
  • You can eat it straight from the bowl standing at the counter and feel completely virtuous.
02 -
  • If you dress the salad too early, the cucumbers weep and everything gets soggy, so wait until just before serving.
  • The garlic in the dressing can get aggressive if it sits too long, so if you're making it ahead, add the garlic right before tossing.
03 -
  • Let the onion slices sit in the lemon juice for a few minutes before adding the oil, it pickles them slightly and takes the edge off.
  • If your tomatoes are bland, toss them with a little salt and let them sit for five minutes before adding them to the salad, they'll release their sweetness.
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