Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Recipe with juicy vegetables, crumbled feta, fresh herbs and zesty lemon vinaigrette. You will love this 15 minute healthy Mediterranean salad recipe!

We also love its close cousin – chickpea avocado salad. So simple and good!

Mediterranean chickpea salad with feta in white bowl.

Meet Mediterranean chickpea salad! It is full of fresh ingredients, pantry staples, creamy feta and Mediterranean flavors. Not only it is a star of any meal prep menu, this simple chickpea salad is a delicious lunch on hot summer day or fantastic side dish to a beef roast like eye of round roast.

Fiber-rich chickpeas are a staple in my pantry. Not only are they a fantastic source of plant-based protein but also versatile. From hummus to falafel, I love cooking with garbanzo beans.

And if you add them to a Greek salad, you end up with this Mediterranean salad that is to-die-for!

Ingredients and Notes

To make Mediterranean chickpea salad recipe you will need a few simple ingredients.

Ingredient list might seem long but I assure you it is full of pantry staples and fresh vegetables you can find in your kitchen now or nearby grocery store.

Chickpeas, feta cheese, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano, cucumber, bell pepper, olive oil, grape tomatoes, red onion, parsley, lemon, basil.
  • Canned chickpeas: One of my favorite pantry staples, you will need two cans of garbanzo beans, 15 ounces each. I use low sodium beans or this time I cooked chickpeas in Instant Pot. If you use not low sodium chickpeas, add less salt to the dressing.
  • Grape tomatoes: Small tomatoes hold their shape better and leak less making salad last longer. Cherry tomatoes are good too and if they are small enough, you can keep them whole. In a pinch, diced fresh tomatoes will work as well.
  • Bell pepper: I used red bell pepper for color and maximum sweetness. Orange bell pepper or yellow bell pepper can be substituted.
  • Cucumber: One long English cucumber. If using field cucumber or garden cucumber, I recommend to peel the bitter skin.
  • Red onion: Adds a nice punch of zest. White onion would be delicious in this Mediterranean chickpea salad too!
  • Feta cheese: I prefer to buy a block of feta and crumble myself to have big chunks and avoid preservatives.
  • Fresh herbs: A lot of fresh basil makes this delicious salad! And a little bit less of fresh parsley. Truly add to your personal taste, the more the better. Also fresh mint would be delicious and add extra flavor!
  • Simple dressing: Extra virgin olive oil is the best quality oil for salad dressings. Then fresh lemon juice and red wine vinegar add acidity that makes a vinaigrette. Dried oregano, salt and ground black pepper for seasoning. Simple!

Recipe Tip

And if you get tired of chickpeas and would like to switch things up, the same ingredients make for the most wonderful Mediterranean pasta salad!

How to Make Chickpea Salad

Here is a quick overview how to make a chickpea salad in four simple steps. All you have to do is make simple vinaigrette, chop the veggies and combine. It truly is 15 minute salad recipe. Find full recipe card below.

Step by step process how to make Mediterranean dressing, pour it over salad and stir.
  1. Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper. Whisk very well with a fork until emulsified and yellow in color. Set aside.
  2. Chop the veggies: Chop grape tomatoes in halves. Then cucumber in similar size to tomatoes pieces. Dice bell pepper and red onion to enjoy a little bit in every bite. Chop basil and parsley, crumble feta.
  3. Combine: I recommend to add all ingredients as you are preparing them to a large bowl. Pour chickpea salad dressing over the bowl and gently stir.
  4. Chill if you have time: This healthy Mediterranean chickpea salad benefits from an hour or two of chilling in the fridge. Even half an hour would help the flavors develop!

Tips for Best Results

Over the years, I have made a lot of salads. So here are a few top tips from my kitchen to yours:

  • Cut everything into bite-sized pieces: You will truly enjoy crunchy veggies and hearty chickpeas in every bite if you cut everything small. Even my kids noticed!
  • Keep healthy salad pretty: If you like nice presentation, add feta cheese each time you serve the salad to avoid mass discoloration.
  • Don’t eat right away: Let salad chill in the fridge for 30 minutes and you will notice huge difference in its flavor profile.
  • Adjust to taste: I call it an easy chickpea salad recipe for a reason. Salads are like that, you follow the recipe, combine it all, taste and add whatever else your heart desires. You know best what you like.

Serving Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

First of all, serve this easy Mediterranean chickpea salad cold. With a nice hunk of fresh pita bread or scoop it up with crispy crostini for quick and easy lunch.

You could add leafy greens like chopped kale, romaine lettuce or spinach before serving. Also Kalamata olives would be great!

It’s a perfect simple side dish with protein like pan fried chicken breast or garlic butter chicken breast.

Smash chickpeas and serve between bread slices as a sandwich or wrap in a burrito. Pan fry a few eggs and serve on top for a healthy breakfast. You can do so much with this tasty salad!

Mediterranean chickpea salad served with pan fried chicken breast on a plate with a fork.

How to Meal Prep and Store It

Chickpea salad is wonderful for meal prep because it lasts for days! Although full of fresh vegetables, they are firm and not the ones that become soggy. That’s why I recommend to use mini tomatoes.

Divide between mason jars and you have grab-and-go healthy lunches for days. Or store in airtight container and portion out throughout the week. Either way this Mediterranean chickpea salad will last up to 5 days.

FAQs

Do you have to cook canned chickpeas?

No. Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked chickpeas that you can enjoy straight out of the can. Just make sure to drain and rinse them off from the slimy liquid.

Can I freeze the salad?

No. Generally it is not recommended to freeze any salad become fresh vegetables will become soggy upon thawing.

Can I use other beans instead of chickpeas?

Sure. I would recommend to use any canned white beans or even black beans.

More Chickpea Recipes to Try

More Salad Recipes to Try

Side view of Mediterranean salad with chickpeas served in white bowl and fresh herbs nearby.
Mediterranean chickpea salad with feta in white bowl.

Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Recipe

Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Recipe with juicy vegetables, crumbled feta, herbs and lemon vinaigrette. It's hearty, healthy and filling!
5 from 17 votes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 147
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients  

Lemon Vinaigrette:

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, add olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, salt, pepper and whisk until emulsified. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, add chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, basil, parsley and feta cheese.
  • Pour dressing over the salad and gently stir to combine. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  • Serve cold on its own, with pita or meat of choice.

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Homemade chickpeas: I cook my own Instant Pot chickpeas.
  • Leafy greens: You could add chopped kale, romaine lettuce or spinach before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 300mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g
Course: Salad
Cuisine: North American
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made this for dinner and loved it! Feta is super expensive in the country I live in but was worth the splurge for this recipe! I plan to eat on this for the next few days so I kept the dressing and feta separate from the salad. Not sure if that is necessary or not

    1. So happy to hear the salad has met your expectations. You don’t have to keep feta cheese separately but can keep dressing separately. Although all dressed this salad actually gets better the next day and can be refrigerated for 2-3 days. But it’s also amazing when dressed fresh, just let it sit for 15-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld!

  2. 5 stars
    Made this salad for my neighborhood gathering… amazing flavor… everyone really loved it – ask for recipe!! Of course, I shared – especially with one lady whose son-in-law is Greek! And, with warmer weather upon us I’m looking into making more of your enticing salads, and other recipes!

    As always, “thank-you” so much for sharing your delicious recipes… love the healthy aspect of most!

5 from 17 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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