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Fresh Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Zesty Lemon Dressing

Fresh Mediterranean Chickpea Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy Mediterranean chickpea salad tossed with fresh veggies, herbs, and a bright, zesty lemon dressing. Perfect for summer lunches, potlucks, or a light, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium English cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
  • 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional, use dairy-free feta for vegan option)
  • For the Zesty Lemon Dressing:
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse 2 cans of chickpeas thoroughly under cold water. Drain well and place in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Dice 1 medium English cucumber into bite-sized pieces. Halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes. Finely chop 1/4 cup red onion (optional). Add all to the bowl with chickpeas.
  3. Roughly chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley and 2 tablespoons fresh mint. Add to the bowl.
  4. Pit and slice 1/3 cup Kalamata olives. Crumble 1/2 cup feta cheese (optional). Add both to the salad bowl.
  5. In a small bowl or jar, combine 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified.
  6. Pour the dressing over the chickpea mixture and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
  7. Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes at room temperature before serving to allow flavors to meld. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Rinse canned chickpeas well to reduce sodium and improve flavor. Let salad rest 10-15 minutes for best flavor. Adjust seasoning and add extra olive oil or lemon juice if salad seems dry. Keep dressing separate if packing for lunch to avoid sogginess. Use fresh lemon juice for best brightness.

Nutrition

Keywords: chickpea salad, Mediterranean salad, lemon dressing, healthy lunch, vegan salad, easy salad recipe, summer salad

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/fresh-mediterranean-chickpea-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-lemon-dressing-for-perfect-summer-lunch/