Description
A refreshing Mediterranean Salad bursting with vibrant vegetables, tangy feta, and a zesty homemade dressing, perfect for a quick and healthy meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
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. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- 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 the dressing is well combined and slightly emulsified.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing, enhancing the taste and texture.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the Mediterranean Salad immediately for a fresh taste, or refrigerate it for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together more deeply. Stir gently before serving if chilled.
Notes
- Chilling the salad for an hour or two helps the flavors meld beautifully.
- You can substitute Kalamata olives with green olives if preferred.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Adjust salt to taste, especially considering the saltiness of the feta and olives.
- Serve as a light lunch or a side dish alongside grilled meats or seafood.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
