Description
A refreshing and vibrant Mediterranean Salad packed with fresh vegetables, protein-rich chickpeas, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty olive oil dressing. Perfect as a quick, flavorful, and healthy dish for lunch or dinner, requiring no cooking and ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rinsed and drained chickpeas, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, pitted and halved Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined to create a flavorful dressing.
- Toss Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together to ensure that all components are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the Mediterranean Salad immediately for the freshest taste, or refrigerate it for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. If chilled, stir gently before serving.
Notes
- For added protein, consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp when serving.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead but is best served fresh to maintain crispness.
- Substitute feta cheese with a vegan cheese alternative to make it vegan-friendly.
- Adjust the amount of garlic and oregano according to personal taste preferences.
- Serve with warm pita bread for a complete Mediterranean meal.
