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Fresh Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Zesty Herb Dressing

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A refreshing and vibrant Mediterranean chickpea salad featuring crisp veggies and a zesty herb dressing, perfect for summer meals and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced (seeded if preferred)
  • 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup (30 g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (15 g) fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 teaspoon fresh, chopped)
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Optional add-ins:
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup (30 g) kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Rinse and drain the chickpeas thoroughly to avoid excess moisture. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely chop the red onion. Chop the parsley and mint leaves gently.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and dried oregano. Season with salt and cracked black pepper. Taste and adjust lemon or salt as needed.
  3. In a mixing bowl, add the chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and herbs. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients.
  4. If using, fold in feta cheese, kalamata olives, and toasted pine nuts.
  5. Optional: Let the salad sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

Soak red onion in cold water for 5 minutes to mellow sharpness if desired. For best freshness, chop herbs just before mixing. Rinse canned chickpeas well to remove metallic flavor. Toss dressing separately if making ahead to avoid sogginess. Optional add-ins like grilled chicken or quinoa can make it a heartier meal.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean chickpea salad, zesty herb dressing, summer salad, healthy salad, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/fresh-mediterranean-chickpea-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-herb-dressing-for-summer/