Mediterranean Chickpea Salad – The Stay At Home Chef

This light and refreshing salad has everything you are looking for. It takes less than 15 minutes to throw together, and is made entirely from fresh veggies and whole ingredients. It’s sweet and tangy, and the chickpeas provide enough protein making this salad a light but filling meal in itself.

For more mediterranean recipes, try our Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Veggies.

I like to think of this one as a “mom’s favorite.” By that I mean one of those salads that may not be any kid’s favorite, but it’s what you, as the adult, are wanting to just devour and eat for both lunch and dinner for days. It’s got chickpeas, a quick vinegar dressing, and all the veggies. You gotta love those Mediterranean flavors.

Ingredient Notes

• Chickpeas: Also called garbanzo beans. Make sure to drain and rinse.
• Cherry or Grape Tomatoes: You can use either cherry or grape tomatoes. Slice in half or quarters. Use red, yellow, or both!
• English Cucumber: These have more flavor and fewer seeds than regular seedless cucumbers, but both can be used.
• Green Bell Pepper: Dice for the perfect bite. Try using red, yellow, or orange bell peppers for a little extra sweetness.
• Red Onion: The best option for eating raw. We love red onions for their sweetness and bite.
• Kalamata Olives: If you can’t find them, regular black olives work as a substitute, but they’re milder in taste.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds that signature tangy Mediterranean flavor.
• Basil and Mint: dried herbs can be substituted in place of fresh in 1/3rd the amount, but for a salad like this it’s strongly recommended you use fresh.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use a good quality EVOO for the dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh is best but if you’re short on time, you can use bottled.
• White Wine Vinegar: Red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used as a substitute in the same amount.

Veggie Options

This veggie-packed salad is so versatile and easy to customize. We use Mediterranean ingredients, but you’re free to take out anything you don’t love or add anything you do! We recommend asparagus, spinach, or avocado.

Serving Suggestions

This salad is so versatile. Serve it up by itself for a light meal or snack, or as a side dish. There isn’t a wrong way to eat chickpea salad.

Lettuce Wrap: This is the perfect option for a well-rounded vegetarian meal. We recommend butter lettuce or iceberg.

Add Chicken: Want to beef up this veggie salad? Easily add in some grilled chicken for a little extra protein.

Make Ahead

We love to make a big batch of this at the beginning of the week and then snack on it or use it for lunches all week long! This should last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.