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Colorful Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with fresh vegetables and herbs

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

A bright, refreshing salad made with chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon dressing, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients
  • 1 can Chickpeas (drained and rinsed) Use canned for convenience.
  • 1 cup Cucumber (diced) Diced evenly for balanced texture.
  • 1 cup Bell Peppers (any color, diced)
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion (diced) Reduce for a milder flavor.
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives (halved) Remove pits before halving.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (finely chopped) Chop finely for better flavor.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Mint (finely chopped) Can swap for baby spinach or basil.
  • 1/2 cup Feta Cheese (crumbled) Crumble yourself for a fresher taste.
Dressing Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice (from fresh lemons) Use fresh for best flavor.
  • 1 clove Garlic (minced) Can grate for a milder flavor.
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 tbsp Honey (or maple syrup) Adjust sweetness to taste.
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano Toasted for more aroma if desired.
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Cumin Toasted for improved flavor.
  • 1/2 cup Olive Oil (extra virgin) Choose a quality oil.
  • 1 tsp Salt Add sparingly.
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Dice cucumber and bell peppers, halve cherry tomatoes, and finely chop parsley and mint.
  2. Rinse and drain chickpeas thoroughly and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
Dressing Preparation
  1. In a small bowl whisk together fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking until emulsified.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Add cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, tomatoes, olives, parsley, mint, and crumbled feta to the chickpeas.
  2. Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat.
Finishing Touches
  1. Rest the salad for 10 to 20 minutes to let flavors marry, then check seasoning.

Notes

Best served fresh, with the option to keep cucumbers and tomatoes separate until serving for maximum crunch.