Description
A vibrant and refreshing chickpea salad featuring salty feta cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and a zesty homemade lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 4–6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced (optional)
- 1/2 English cucumber, seeded and diced (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped toasted nuts or seeds (optional)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 small clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Chickpeas: Rinse chickpeas thoroughly under cold running water, drain well, pat dry, and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Prepare the Fresh Ingredients: Add crumbled feta, diced red onion, chopped parsley, diced celery, diced cucumber, dried cranberries, and nuts or seeds to the bowl.
- Make the Lemon Vinaigrette: Combine extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar.
- Emulsify the Vinaigrette: Whisk or shake the dressing vigorously until well combined and slightly thickened.
- Combine the Salad: Pour the prepared lemon vinaigrette over the chickpea mixture in the large bowl.
- Toss Gently: Gently toss all ingredients together until evenly coated, ensuring not to mash the chickpeas.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Give the salad another gentle toss and serve chilled or at cool room temperature.
Notes
For best results, chill for 30-120 minutes. To make ahead (2-3 days), store the vinaigrette separately and combine just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 315 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: chickpea salad, feta, cranberry, lemon vinaigrette, Mediterranean, healthy lunch, meal prep