Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Cucumber (Printable)

Fresh cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta, and chickpeas combined with a zesty lemon-oregano dressing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large cucumber, diced
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Legumes

06 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Cheese

07 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1 garlic clove, minced
12 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large salad bowl, combine the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, diced bell pepper, chopped parsley, and drained chickpeas.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, sea salt, and ground black pepper until well blended.
03 - Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the vegetable mixture and toss gently to ensure even coating.
04 - Add the crumbled feta cheese and toss lightly, or sprinkle on top for visual presentation.
05 - Serve immediately for crisp vegetables, or refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes, which means you can have lunch or dinner ready before you've changed out of your work clothes.
  • The chickpeas make it filling enough to stand alone, but it plays beautifully as a side dish too.
  • One batch stays fresh in the fridge for days, getting better as the flavors get to know each other.
02 -
  • Rinse your chickpeas like your life depends on it, because the liquid clinging to them will turn your dressing cloudy and bitter within hours.
  • Add the feta last or you'll end up with crumbles so broken down they become texture-less dust instead of creamy pockets of salt.
03 -
  • Make the dressing in a jar and shake it before pouring so the garlic and oregano distribute evenly instead of settling at the bottom.
  • Cut your vegetables slightly larger than you think you need to because they'll soften as the salad sits and releases its juices.
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