Chickpea Salad

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chickpea Salad is a great way to incorporate more plant-based ingredients into your diet. It’s quick to make, highly customizable, and filled with flavor. The chickpeas provide a hearty base that’s full of fiber and protein, while the fresh vegetables add crunch, color, and nutrition. With the addition of a tangy lemon dressing, this salad has a light but satisfying flavor that’s perfect for any time of year. Plus, it’s ideal for meal prep—just make a batch in advance, and you’ll have a delicious and healthy lunch ready to go!

Ingredients

• 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or 3 cups cooked chickpeas)

• 1 cucumber, diced

• 1 bell pepper (red, yellow, or orange), diced

• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (or more to taste)

• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

• 1 tsp dried oregano (or fresh oregano, finely chopped)

• Salt and pepper to taste

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Prepare the vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chickpeas, diced cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and chopped parsley.

2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preferences.

3. Combine the salad: Pour the dressing over the chickpea and vegetable mixture, and toss everything together until well coated.

4. Chill (optional): For best results, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. However, it’s still delicious right after mixing.

Serve:

1. Serve and enjoy: Serve the chickpea salad chilled or at room temperature. It’s perfect on its own, as a side dish, or as a topping for greens or grain bowls.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4-6 servings

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Chill Time: 30 minutes (optional)

• Total Time: 10-40 minutes

Variations

1. Add avocado: For extra creaminess, add diced avocado to the salad just before serving. It will add healthy fats and a buttery texture.

2. Add feta cheese: Crumbled feta cheese can be mixed into the salad for a salty, creamy contrast to the fresh veggies and chickpeas.

3. Add olives: Add Kalamata olives or green olives for a briny, Mediterranean twist.

4. Make it spicy: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to give the salad a spicy kick.

5. Add quinoa or couscous: For a more filling salad, add cooked quinoa or couscous to the mix, turning it into a more substantial meal.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover chickpea salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It may become more flavorful as it sits.

• Freezing: This salad is not ideal for freezing, as the fresh vegetables will lose their texture. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a few days of making it.

Conclusion

Chickpea Salad is a refreshing, nutrient-packed dish that’s easy to prepare and highly customizable. With its combination of protein-rich chickpeas, crunchy veggies, and a tangy dressing, it’s perfect for a quick lunch, light dinner, or as a side dish to any meal. Whether you’re making it for a picnic, a weeknight dinner, or a meal prep option, this salad is sure to be a hit. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and healthy ingredients in every bite!

Chickpea Salad

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Chickpea Salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish that’s packed with fresh vegetables, protein-rich chickpeas, and a flavorful dressing. This simple yet satisfying salad is perfect for a light lunch, a side dish, or even a refreshing snack. The combination of crunchy vegetables, creamy chickpeas, and a tangy dressing makes this salad incredibly refreshing and filling. It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and can be easily customized to your taste preferences.

• Author: Catherine
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: undefined
• Total Time: 10-40 minutes
• Yield: undefined
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-cook
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

• 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or 3 cups cooked chickpeas)
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 bell pepper (red, yellow, or orange), diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (or more to taste)
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tsp dried oregano (or fresh oregano, finely chopped)
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chickpeas, diced cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and chopped parsley.
2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preferences.
3. Combine the salad: Pour the dressing over the chickpea and vegetable mixture, and toss everything together until well coated.
4. Chill (optional): For best results, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. However, it’s still delicious right after mixing.
5. Serve: Serve the chickpea salad chilled or at room temperature. It’s perfect on its own, as a side dish, or as a topping for greens or grain bowls.

Notes

Add avocado: For extra creaminess, add diced avocado to the salad just before serving. It will add healthy fats and a buttery texture.Add feta cheese: Crumbled feta cheese can be mixed into the salad for a salty, creamy contrast to the fresh veggies and chickpeas.Add olives: Add Kalamata olives or green olives for a briny, Mediterranean twist.Make it spicy: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to give the salad a spicy kick.Add quinoa or couscous: For a more filling salad, add cooked quinoa or couscous to the mix, turning it into a more substantial meal.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 6g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 0mg