Mediterranean Chickpea Cucumber Salad (Printable)

Refreshing Mediterranean salad featuring chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes and herbs in a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large English cucumber, diced
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Legumes

05 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Fresh Herbs

06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
13 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Additions

14 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (omit for vegan)
15 - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

# Directions:

01 - In a large salad bowl, combine the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, red bell pepper, and chickpeas.
02 - Add the chopped parsley and mint; toss gently to mix.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - If using, sprinkle feta cheese and olives on top before serving.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The vibrant colors and textures create a feast for your eyes before the first bite even touches your lips.
  • It keeps beautifully in the fridge, actually improving after a few hours as the flavors meld together like old friends catching up.
02 -
  • Salting the cucumber pieces and letting them sit for 10 minutes before blotting dry will prevent excess moisture from diluting your beautiful dressing.
  • Adding the herbs just before serving preserves their color and prevents them from wilting into sad little specks.
03 -
  • For gatherings, make a double batch but dress only half, refreshing the second portion just before serving to maintain the perfect texture throughout the event.
  • Massage the red onion with a pinch of salt and splash of vinegar before adding it to the salad to tame its sharpness while maintaining its crisp texture.

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