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    Home » Real Food » Salads

    Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

    May 25, 2021 | By Kristen Chidsey | 63 Comments | *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    This simple and healthy Chickpea Salad recipe takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and is packed with Mediterranean flavors! It is a healthy salad that makes a great side dish, filling for a wrap for lunch, and even works as a hearty dip when served with pita chips! It can also be easily made vegan friendly and dairy-free.

    Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is an easy, healthy salad made with chickpeas, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta, and a light red wine vinaigrette. It is hearty enough to stand alone as a light main entree, as a delicious side dish, or even as a filling for a chickpea wrap.

    This simple and healthy Chickpea Salad recipe takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and is packed with Mediterranean flavors, like fresh tomatoes, oregano, olives, and feta---some of my favorite foods ever!

    The flavors and textures of this chickpea salad are also perfectly balanced. The chickpeas are slightly creamy, the olives add a salty kick, the cucumbers add a crunch and freshness, and the tomatoes add a burst of juicy sweetness. The simple dressing brings everything together with subtle flavors and the feta cheese finishes this salad with a salty bite.

    This Chickpea Salad is an uncomplicated, easy recipe that packs an incredible amount of flavor.

    Notes on Key Ingredients

    Ingredients for Chickpea Salad in clear bowls on white counter
    • Chickpeas: You can use canned chickpeas or prepare Instant Pot Chickpeas to prepare this salad. If using dried chickpeas, keep in mind you may find you need to adjust the salt after preparing for the best flavor.
    • Kalamative Olives: Don't skimp and use black olives, Kalamative olives have superior flavor. Just be sure to purchase pitted olives to save yourself a headache.
    • English Cucumber: A regular garden cucumber can be used in place of a seedless cucumber, but you will need to peel and remove seeds before dicing to keep this chickpea salad from getting watery.
    • Tomatoes: Any fresh, ripe variety of tomatoes works in this salad. Cherry and grape tomatoes need to be just cut in half, while larger, vine-ripened or Roma tomatoes need to be diced and deseeded.
    • Onion: In order for the onion to not overwhelm the salad, choose a sweeter onion, such as a Vidalia or red onion.
    • Feta: Crumbled feta cheese adds so much flavor to the chickpea salad, but can be omitted if you want a dairy-free or vegan-friendly chickpea salad.
    • Chickpea Salad Dressing: A simple combination of garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and oregano are all that are required for this red wine vinaigrette.

    How to Make Chickpea Salad

    • In a large bowl toss together the chickpeas, cucumbers, olives, onion, tomatoes, and feta, if using, together in a large bowl.
    Ingredients for Chickpea Salad layered in clear mixing bowl
    • In a small bowl whisk together the red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, garlic, and olive oil until well combined.
    Ingredients for Salad Dressing in clear mixing bowl
    • Drizzle dressing over chickpea mixture and toss to combine.
    • Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes for optimum flavor.
    Chickpea Salad in blue bowl.

    Serving Suggestions

    This Mediterranean Chickpea salad is incredibly versatile and can be served chilled or at room temperature and in a variety of different ways. It can be served cold or at room temperature, making this an ideal dish for potlucks or to pack in a lunch for work or school. Below are some of my favorite ways to serve this Chickpea Salad.

    • Serve this Chickpea Salad on the side of Chicken Gyros or Greek Chicken for a delicious Mediterranean-inspired dinner.
    • Make a large batch on Sunday and serve as a Gluten-Free Lunch throughout the week.
    • Thanks to the hearty chickpeas, this Meditteranean Chickpea Salad makes a hearty salad or a light meatless entree.
    • Fill pita bread with the Chickpea Salad and a dollop of Tzatziki sauce for lunch on the go!
    • Serve with pita chips as a refreshing and unique dip when entertaining.
    • Use leftover chickpea salad as a filling for an omelet for an insanely delicious breakfast.

    Storage Instructions

    Chickpea Salad can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. However, I find it has the best texture when used after 3 days, as the cucumbers can get a bit soggy.

    Recipe Variations

    • Feel to add up roasted peppers, pepperoncini, green olives, capers, or parsley, for additional flavor.
    • For a Vegan Chickpea Salad or a dairy-free salad, simply omit the feta cheese. You may need an additional ½-1 teaspoon salt to replace the saltiness that the feta provides.
    • If you don't like onions, omit them!

    More Easy Mediterranean-Inspired Recipes

    • Tabbouleh Salad
    • Mediterranean Couscous
    • Mediterranean Frittata
    • Greek Quinoa Salad
    • Copycat Panera Greek Salad

    Whether you are serving this chickpea salad as a simple side dish, using it to fill pita bread, or serving it as a salad, I would love to hear how you enjoyed it! 

    Chickpea Salad in blue bowl.

    Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

    This Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is hearty, light and bursting with flavor! Perfect as a side dish, salad, sandwich filling or even a dip!
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Refrigerate: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 143kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    Chickpea Salad

    • 15 ounces chickpeas rinsed
    • ½ cup kalamata olives sliced
    • 1 English cucumber diced
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes cut in half
    • ½ red onion diced finely
    • ⅓ cup crumbled feta optional

    Salad Dressing

    • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    • ½ tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • In a large mixing bowl, chickpeas, cucumbers, olives, onion, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
    • In a smaller bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, garlic oregano, and salt.
    • Add the dressing to the chickpea mixture and toss together until everything is well coated and combined.
    • Chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to combine before serving.

    Notes

    In place of canned chickpeas, feel free to use 2 cups of Instant Pot cooked chickpeas.
    Toppings Ideas: Feel to add in roasted peppers, pepperoncini, green olives, capers, parsley, etc to this salad as desired. 
    For a Vegan Chickpea Salad, just omit the feta cheese. You may need an additional ½-1 teaspoon salt to replace the saltiness that the feta provides.
    This chickpea salad will last in the fridge for 5 days but has the best texture for up to 3 days. 
    Any fresh, ripe variety of tomatoes works in this salad. Vine-ripened or Roma tomatoes need to be diced and deseeded.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 352mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Vitamin C: 5.7mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 1.9mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This post was originally published in 2017 but was updated in 2020 with new process shots and tips.

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    Categorized Under: Allergy Friendly Recipes, Gluten Free, Lunch, Real Food, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Recipes

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    1. Barbara James

      June 12, 2021 at 9:59 pm

      Thank you for posting this receipe, in my opinion, the most tastiest salad I've ever eaten ! I put the entire carton of feta cheese in it 🤗

      Reply
    2. Dean

      August 22, 2020 at 10:59 am

      Love it!

      Reply
    3. Shawn

      August 17, 2020 at 9:31 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe! We loved the flavors and the simplicity.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 17, 2020 at 10:36 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed Shawn!

        Reply
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