Fresh Mediterranean Chickpea Salad: Quick & Zesty (Print Version)

Whip up this fresh Mediterranean Chickpea Cucumber Salad. It's vibrant, light, and packed with flavor perfect for a quick, healthy meal or side.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Dietary: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
02 - 1 large English cucumber, diced
03 - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/2 small red onion, very finely diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced

→ Fresh Herbs

06 - 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
07 - 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped

→ Zesty Dressing

08 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
09 - 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
11 - 1 clove garlic, minced
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get those vegetables looking pretty! Grab your cutting board and a sharp knife. Dice your cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion (remember, finely!), and green bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. I always try to make them roughly the same size so every forkful gets a bit of everything. It's so satisfying to see all those vibrant colors coming to life on the board, honestly. Don't rush this step; a little care here makes the whole Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Cucumber Salad look and taste amazing.
02 - Next up, grab those canned chickpeas. Pop them into a colander and give them a really good rinse under cold running water. You want to get rid of all that starchy liquid. Then, let them drain thoroughly. I usually give the colander a good shake to get rid of any excess water. This step is super important for the texture and flavor of your Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Cucumber Salad; nobody wants slimy chickpeas, right?
03 - Now for the magic! In a small bowl or a jar, whisk together your extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Give it a really good whisk until it's well combined and slightly emulsified. Taste it! This is your chance to adjust, maybe a little more lemon, a pinch more salt. I sometimes add a tiny dash of maple syrup if my lemon is super tart, just to balance it out. This dressing really ties the whole Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Cucumber Salad together.
04 - Time for the fresh stuff! Finely chop your fresh flat-leaf parsley and mint leaves. Honestly, these herbs are non-negotiable for that authentic Mediterranean flavor. Don't be shy with them; they bring so much brightness and aroma to the salad. I love the smell of fresh mint as I'm chopping it; it instantly transports me to a sunny kitchen, even if it's pouring rain outside.
05 - Grab a large mixing bowl – you want plenty of room to toss without making a mess, trust me on this one, I've had many an 'oops' moment with overflowing bowls. Add your prepped vegetables, the rinsed chickpeas, and those lovely chopped fresh herbs into the bowl. See all those colors? It's already looking so inviting!
06 - Pour that zesty dressing over the ingredients in the bowl. Now, using a large spoon or spatula, gently toss everything together until all the veggies and chickpeas are beautifully coated. Don't mash it all up! Once it's all mixed, I like to let my Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Cucumber Salad chill in the fridge for at least 15-20 minutes. This lets the flavors meld and deepen, making it taste even better. The wait is worth it, I promise!

# Notes:

01 - Don't be shy with the fresh herbs – they really make this salad sing!
02 - This salad tastes even better after an hour in the fridge, letting the flavors meld.
03 - Swap out bell peppers for roasted zucchini if you have some on hand.
04 - Serve it scooped into pita pockets or alongside grilled chicken for a full meal.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife
04 - whisk
05 - measuring cups/spoons

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 320
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 9g

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