Middle Eastern Bean Salad with Parsley and Lemon Balela

Bursting with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, the Middle Eastern Bean Salad with Parsley and Lemon, also known as Balela, is a quick and refreshing dish perfect for any occasion. This protein-packed salad features hearty chickpeas and black beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and aromatic herbs like parsley and fresh mint. Tossed in a zesty dressing of extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and warm spices like cumin and paprika, this salad delivers a perfect medley of tangy, earthy, and savory flavors. Ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required, it’s an ideal choice for meal prep, a nutritious side dish, or a light and satisfying main. Pair it with warm pita bread and creamy hummus for a fully satisfying Middle Eastern-inspired feast. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply craving something fresh, this Balela salad is a must-try!

Nutriscore Rating: 85/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 15-ounce can canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• 1 15-ounce can canned black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 medium cucumber (diced)
• 0.5 cup red onion (finely chopped)
• 1 cup parsley (finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves (finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained and rinsed chickpeas and black beans.

Step 2

Add the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, parsley, and mint leaves to the bowl.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 4

Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and toss gently to combine, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly coated.

Step 5

Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.

Step 6

Cover the salad and let it sit for 15-20 minutes at room temperature to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Serve as a side dish, a light main course, or with pita bread and hummus for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1699.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1635.2

Total Fat 71.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4153.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 206.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 67.4g	0%
Total Sugars 30.8g
Protein 66.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1142.7mg	0%
Iron 39.1mg	0%
Potassium 5671.1mg	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: 37.1%

Protein: 15.4%

Carbs: 47.5%