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    Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

    Allergy Friendly Recipes Gluten Free Lunch Real Food Salads Side Dishes Vegetarian Recipes May 25, 2021 | By Kristen Chidsey | 63 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    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 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Refrigerate: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes 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
    • â…“ 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
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    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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    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.

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Erica Schwarz

      May 20, 2020 at 6:59 pm

      5 stars
      This was so fresh and easy to make. Loved it.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 20, 2020 at 7:03 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed Erica!

        Reply
    2. Beth

      May 20, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      I love Salad Season for recipes just like this one - quick, easy, and flavorful!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 20, 2020 at 7:07 pm

        So glad you enjoy.

        Reply
    3. April

      December 16, 2019 at 2:04 pm

      This mentions capers but I see none in the actual recipe.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        December 16, 2019 at 2:46 pm

        I am so sorry for any confusion, but this recipe does not call for capers. However, adding in 1/2 tablespoon would be delightful I am sure 🙂

        Reply
    4. April

      July 09, 2018 at 12:00 pm

      5 stars
      This salad is so good. I love to eat it by itself as an afternoon snack. Yum!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 09, 2018 at 4:45 pm

        I love to snack on this salad myself April. Glad you enjoyed.

        Reply
    5. Nellie Tracy

      July 09, 2018 at 10:37 am

      5 stars
      I love the ingredients in this salad! It look amazing and I'm sure it tastes amazing!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 09, 2018 at 10:50 am

        Thanks Nellie! It is absolutely one of my most favorite salads ever.

        Reply
    6. Renee - Kudos Kitchen

      June 13, 2017 at 1:21 pm

      What a beautiful and fresh salad. I love all the protein the chickpeas bring to the party and the salty bite of the feta!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 14, 2017 at 9:19 am

        That salty bite is ESSENTIAL!

        Reply
    7. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious

      June 12, 2017 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      I think this is the "it" salad of summer!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 12, 2017 at 7:38 pm

        <3 Thank you so much Dorothy!

        Reply
    8. Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours

      June 12, 2017 at 5:10 pm

      5 stars
      I love using chickpeas in dishes; very wholesome and tasty. Lovely to use them in a delicious salad. Perfect for summer with a nice selection of ingredients.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 12, 2017 at 7:38 pm

        Thanks Helen 🙂

        Reply
    9. Lisa | Garlic & Zest

      June 12, 2017 at 4:11 pm

      5 stars
      Your salad reminds me of a tabbouleh I make -- minus the bulgur wheat! Delish!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 12, 2017 at 7:38 pm

        Oh but with that bulgur it would be delicious as well!

        Reply
    10. Joyce

      June 12, 2017 at 4:04 pm

      5 stars
      I have never had a chickpea salad before but you have convinced me to try this wonderful salad with all these awesome Mediterranean flavours! Olives, feta and onions are one of my fave combos of flavour! 😀 Love this!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 12, 2017 at 7:39 pm

        If you love olive, fetas, and onions this is a salad for you for sure Joyce!

        Reply
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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.

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

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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.

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