Description
Savor Mediterranean magic with this Greek Chickpea Salad, a refreshing blend of crisp vegetables and zesty herbs. Packed with protein and bursting with classic Greek flavors, you’ll transport your taste buds to a sun-drenched Aegean coastline.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Base:
- 1 15 ounces (425 grams) can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 1 1/2 cups diced cucumber
- 1 1/2 cups diced bell pepper
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives (pitted and halved)
- 1/3 cup chopped pepperoncini peppers (optional)
Cheese:
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (regular or vegan)
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Thoroughly drain and rinse canned chickpeas under cold water, ensuring no excess liquid remains.
- Dice cucumber, bell peppers, and tomatoes into uniform bite-sized pieces, creating a colorful vegetable base.
- Slice kalamata olives into thin rings, adding a briny Mediterranean flavor to the mixture.
- Combine chickpeas and chopped vegetables in a spacious mixing bowl, gently stirring to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the Greek dressing by vigorously whisking olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, and fresh lemon juice until well emulsified.
- Pour the zesty dressing over the salad and toss carefully to coat all ingredients thoroughly.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top, allowing the tangy cheese to add a creamy texture and rich flavor to the salad.
- Optionally, let the salad rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Rinse chickpeas thoroughly to remove excess sodium and improve digestibility, ensuring a cleaner flavor profile.
- Choose firm, fresh vegetables for maximum crunch and vibrant colors that enhance the salad’s visual appeal.
- Marinate chickpeas in dressing for 15 minutes before adding other ingredients to let them absorb more flavor and become more tender.
- Customize by adding protein like grilled chicken or keeping it vegan with plant-based feta cheese for diverse dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg