Mediterranean Diet Refreshing Chickpea Salad

Brighten up your plate with this Mediterranean Diet Refreshing Chickpea Salad—a vibrant, nutrient-packed dish bursting with wholesome ingredients and bold flavors. Perfectly tender chickpeas are combined with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, briny kalamata olives, and zesty red onion, all tied together with a tangy lemon-garlic dressing and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Creamy crumbled feta cheese adds a rich, satisfying element to this no-cook recipe, which comes together in just 15 minutes. Serve it as a chilled entrée, a light side dish, or even a make-ahead meal for busy weekdays. Naturally protein-rich and loaded with heart-healthy ingredients, this Mediterranean-inspired salad is as nutritious as it is delicious—perfect for enjoying the fresh, simple flavors of the Mediterranean lifestyle!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 15 oz can canned chickpeas
• 1 large cucumber
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.5 cup kalamata olives
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley
• 0.5 cup feta cheese
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large garlic clove

Directions

Step 1

Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas thoroughly under cold water and set aside to allow any excess water to drain.

Step 2

Peel the cucumber if desired, and dice it into small cubes.

Step 3

Cut the cherry tomatoes in half.

Step 4

Finely chop the red onion and fresh parsley.

Step 5

Slice the kalamata olives into halves or quarters, depending on their size and your preference.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained chickpeas, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, sliced olives, and chopped parsley.

Step 7

Crumble the feta cheese into the bowl and lightly mix everything to combine.

Step 8

In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 9

Peel and mince the garlic clove, then add it to the dressing mixture and stir to incorporate.

Step 10

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently yet thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are coated with the dressing.

Step 11

Taste the salad and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 12

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together, although it can be served immediately if desired.

Step 13

Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing entrée or side dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1325.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1365.4

Total Fat 95.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 20.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g
Cholesterol 66.8mg	0%
Sodium 4730.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 103.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.2g	0%
Total Sugars 24.9g
Protein 33.9g	0%

Vitamin D 12IU	0%
Calcium 754.7mg	0%
Iron 11.3mg	0%
Potassium 1973.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.9%

Protein: 9.6%

Carbs: 29.5%