Greek chickpea salad with feta cheese

A super healthy, colorful and absolutely delicious Greek chickpea salad made with chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, feta cheese and a homemade Greek dressing! The perfect accompaniment to grilled meats or as a light and hearty meal for vegetarians!

What is Greek Chickpea Salad?

Greek Chickpea Salad is a cool salad with chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives and feta cheese, all dressed in a simple but delicious homemade Greek dressing. Greek chickpea salad is not only delicious and nutritious, but also easy to prepare and ideal for meal prep.

• Tasty salad alternative: Great if you’re not a fan of leafy greens
• Loads of flavor: The combination of chickpeas with tomato, olive and feta cheese and fresh herbs makes it full of flavor.

What you will need to make Greek chickpea salad the traditional way

To make the perfect Greek chickpea salad, be sure to use fresh, good quality ingredients! Some extra virgin olive oil for dressing Greek feta, fresh cherry tomatoes and Kalamata olives.

Kalamata olives They are usually considered an essential ingredient in this salad as they provide a distinct flavor and texture. To use Kalamata olives in a traditional Greek chickpea salad, you can either de-seed them and then slice them, or leave them whole if you prefer.

If you can’t get Calamon olives, you can use other types of olives, such as black or green olives. While they won’t be exactly the same as Kalamata olives, they will add a salty, savory flavor to the salad.

Basic Ingredients for Greek Chickpea Salad

• Salad: You will need two cans of chickpeas for the recipe, along with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and olives. Fresh dill and mint add flavor.
• Vinaigrette: Made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper.
• Salad topping: Feta is perfect for crumbling on top of a salad.

Greek chickpea salad Basic preparation tips

There are only two basic steps to creating this recipe:

1. Create the salad
2. Make the vinaigrette and serve

Create the salad

After draining the chickpeas, rinse them thoroughly under cold running water until the water running from the bottom of the pot runs clear. Then let the chickpeas sit and drain the remaining water.

Cut the cherry tomatoes into four pieces and add them to a large bowl. Cut the cucumber into quarters after peeling it. Add the chopped red onion and quartered olives along with the cucumber.

Cut the fresh herbs into small pieces and put them in the bowl with the drained chickpeas.

Make the vinaigrette for Greek chickpea salad

Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt and black pepper in a separate bowl. Pour the mixture over the salad and toss until the dressing is all coated.

Add the crumbled feta to the salad and toss gently with the dressing, making sure the cheese is evenly coated while retaining its texture.

Taste the dish to see if it needs additional salt and pepper, then proceed with serving.

Should you use fresh or canned chickpeas for Greek chickpea salad?

Canned chickpeas they are already cooked, which saves you time and makes it easier to prepare the salad. Plus, canned chickpeas have a consistent texture, which ensures that all the chickpeas in the salad will have the same texture and flavor.

When using canned chickpeas, you only need to rinse and drain them before adding them to the salad.

Using dried chickpeas it requires prep and cooking time, which may not be practical to make a quick and simple salad. While dried chickpeas may be more flavorful and have a better texture than canned chickpeas, they also take time to cook.

Using canned chickpeas is a quick and easy way to make this Greek Chickpea Salad recipe, but it’s up to you!

Variations

There are many variations of Greek chickpea salad that you can make to add your own unique twist to the dish. Here are some ideas:

• Addition avocado slices: Avocado adds creaminess and healthy fats to the salad.
• Use one different outfit: Try a different dressing, such as a lemon-tahini or balsamic vinaigrette, for a different flavor profile.
• Addition fresh herbs: Chopped parsley, coriander or dill can add freshness and brightness to the salad.
• Use different vegetables: Try adding peppers, zucchini or carrots to the salad to add more color and nutrition.
• Addition protein: Grilled chicken, shrimp or tofu can be added to the salad to make it more hearty and filling.
• Use one different kind of cheese: If you don’t like feta, use goat cheese or shaved parmesan.
• Addition nuts or seeds: Roasted almonds, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds can add crunch and nutrition to the salad.

These are just a few ways to customize your Greek chickpea salad. The possibilities are endless!

Making time and saving

To enjoy the Greek chickpea salad at its best, we do not recommend keeping it in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours after assembly. You can store it in an airtight container.

If you want to make this ahead, wait to add the vinaigrette until you’re ready to serve to keep the ingredients fresh.

Serving suggestions

Traditional Greek chickpea salad is usually served as a main course for a light and healthy lunch or dinner, or as a side dish for a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas for what you can serve with it:

1. Grilled Chicken or Fish: Grilled chicken or fish pairs perfectly with the Greek chickpea salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
2. Souvlaki or kebab: Grilled souvlaki or kebab, whether made of meat or vegetables, is a classic Greek dish that goes well with chickpea salad.
3. Pita: Warm, soft pita goes perfectly with the Greek chickpea salad.
4. Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini and peppers are a great side dish to serve with a salad.
5. Couscous: Couscous or quinoa can be cooked and served with Greek chickpea salad to make it more hearty and satisfying.
6. Hummus and Vegetables: A platter of fresh vegetables such as carrots, celery and sliced ​​cucumbers with a side of hummus is a simple and delicious side dish that complements the flavors of the salad.
7. Appetizers such as fried halloumi, saganaki, meatballs and tzatziki.

Ultimately, the salad is versatile and pairs well with many different dishes.

Other salads to try

If you like my salad, then you’ll love my featured suggestions below!

Print