Full of bright flavors and the most delicious balsamic vinaigrette, this Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is the ultimate healthy salad. It comes together almost instantly and is absolutely perfect for a leisurely lunch or light dinner to enjoy on the patio. It's great for meal prep, too!
This Salad is so incredibly fresh and bright, you'll want to eat it on repeat all season long. Fortunately, it stores really well, so you can make it once and enjoy it all week long. It's quick, too. You'll spend most of your time preparing the bell peppers, cucumbers, and other fresh veggies, which takes just a few minutes. Whisk together a quick vinaigrette to pour on top, and lunch is served!
Why You'll Love This Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Bright and refreshing. The briny feta cheese, red onion, fresh herbs, and tangy vinaigrette add so much flavor to this easy chickpea salad recipe. It's incredibly fresh and tastes like summer in a bowl!
- So simple. There's a good chance you already have a can of chickpeas and the ingredients for the simple dressing on hand. Just grab a few summer vegetables, and your salad will be ready in no time.
- Lots of vegetables. If you've been trying to eat more vegetables, this is the salad for you. This Greek chickpea salad is loaded with bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and onions, making it a perfect healthy side dish for people trying to eat more veggies!
Ingredient Notes
To make this delicious Mediterranean Chickpea Salad, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- chickpeas - drain and rinse a can of chickpeas to add some plant-based protein.
- yellow bell pepper - remove the stem and seeds, then dice the pepper. You can also use red bell pepper or any other color if you prefer.
- english cucumber - quarter and dice the English cucumber into the same size as the pepper.
- cherry tomatoes - cut the tomatoes in half for easy serving. Grape tomatoes work well, too.
- red onion - dice red onion for a spicy crunch.
- fresh parsley - finely chop fresh parsley to add extra flavor to the salad.
- feta - crumbled feta adds a creaminess that pairs really well with the vegetables. Goat cheese is a great alternative.
- olive oil - use extra-virgin olive oil or a neutral salad oil.
- balsamic vinegar - balsamic has a rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the Mediterranean flavors in the salad.
- lemon juice - fresh squeezed lemon juice brightens the salad.
- dijon mustard - this is optional, but Dijon mustard emulsifies the vinaigrette to make it creamy.
- salt and black pepper - season to taste.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, two mixing bowls, and a whisk.
How to Make the Best Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add chickpeas, bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, parsley, and feta cheese.
- Make dressing. In another mixing bowl, whisk together oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, dijon mustard (if using), salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Toss. Add the dressing to the chickpea salad and toss well to combine. Serve immediately.
Recipe Variations
- Make a Greek salad. For a Greek salad, add some kalamata olives, fresh dill, and fresh mint for a bright pop of flavor.
- Add beans. White beans, like cannellini beans, are a wonderful addition to this Mediterranean salad. They can replace the garbanzo beans or serve them with both.
- Serve it over greens. Although you can easily eat this easy Mediterranean chickpea salad like a chopped salad, it's also wonderful served over leafy greens or chopped romaine as well. It's great with warm pita bread, too!
How to Serve
This Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is delicious served on its own, or paired with some of my favorite proteins including:
- Greek Salmon
- Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers
- Greek Meatballs
- Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki
- Greek Lamb Souvlaki Skewers
For more recipe inspiration, see our 30 Best Greek Recipes.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Cut everything the same size. Cut all the different vegetables in a similar size. You can even use a food chopper for easy prep!
- Don't freeze. If you have an icy spot in your fridge that likes to freeze things, keep your salad away from that, or the vegetables will become soggy and watery.
- Marinate. This salad can easily be served immediately, but I love to let it sit until the next day. The vegetables will soak up the chickpea salad dressing and take on so much flavor.
- Cut the tomatoes quickly. Instead of individually slicing the cherry tomatoes, place the tomatoes on a dinner plate, then place another dinner plate with the serving side down directly on top of the tomatoes. Use a sharp knife to slice through the gap between the plates to cut all of the tomatoes at once.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Store the leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. If serving over greens, store those separately to keep them fresh.
FAQ
This Mediterranean chickpea salad recipe contains lots of fresh ingredients, like bell peppers, red onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh herbs, with canned chickpeas and a simple vinaigrette made with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, fresh lemon juice, and more. It's a simple summer recipe that's light enough for a quick lunch yet hearty enough for a main course.
Yes! This is part of why protein-packed chickpeas are one of my favorite pantry staples. They are already fully cooked, so you just need to drain and rinse them to add them to a colorful salad, homemade hummus, chickpea soup, or anything else.
Yes! This delicious salad tastes wonderful fresh, but as it sits, the vegetables soak up the delicious vinaigrette. Feel free to make it a day or two before your gathering or store it in meal prep containers for 3-4 days for a delicious, easy lunch.
More Salad Recipes
- 40 Best Salad Recipes
- Israeli Couscous Salad
- Arugula Salad
- Southwest Quinoa Salad
- Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- White Bean Salad
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