Greek chickpea salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish that features a combination of chickpeas, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. It’s perfect as a side dish or a light main course. Here’s a recipe for making Greek chickpea salad:
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chickpeas:
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly under cold water. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
2. Prepare the Vegetables:
- Dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Slice the Kalamata olives. Add all these vegetables to the chickpeas in the mixing bowl.
3. Add Herbs and Cheese:
- Add the chopped fresh parsley and, if using, fresh mint leaves to the salad mixture.
- Crumble the feta cheese over the top.
4. Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon and whisk until the dressing is well combined.
5. Combine and Toss:
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large mixing bowl.
6. Toss and Season:
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is well coated with the dressing.
- Taste the salad and adjust the salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your preference.
7. Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate the Greek chickpea salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve chilled as a side dish or a light and healthy main course.
This Greek chickpea salad is not only delicious but also packed with protein, fiber, and a variety of fresh vegetables. It’s a perfect option for a quick and nutritious meal, and it’s also great for picnics, potlucks, or as a side dish for grilled meats. Enjoy!
