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Fresh Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Roasted Peppers & Olives

fresh mediterranean chickpea salad - featured image
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A quick and easy Mediterranean-inspired salad featuring chickpeas, smoky roasted peppers, briny olives, and a bright lemon-garlic dressing. Perfect for a light yet filling meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup (150 g) roasted red peppers, sliced into strips
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas under cold water until water runs clear, then set aside to drain thoroughly (about 5 minutes).
  2. Slice the roasted red peppers into thin strips. Dice the cucumber and halve the cherry tomatoes. Finely chop the red onion and parsley.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing emulsifies and looks glossy (about 1-2 minutes).
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the drained chickpeas, roasted peppers, olives, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and parsley.
  5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients, avoiding mashing the chickpeas.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Optionally add a pinch of sugar to balance acidity.
  7. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors marry, or serve immediately if short on time.

Notes

Rinse chickpeas well to remove canned flavor and starch. Use good-quality extra virgin olive oil for best flavor. Roasting fresh peppers adds smokiness but jarred roasted peppers are a great shortcut. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Toss gently to keep chickpeas intact. Adjust acidity with a pinch of sugar or honey if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean chickpea salad, roasted peppers, olives, healthy salad, easy lunch, vegan salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/fresh-mediterranean-chickpea-salad-recipe-easy-healthy-meal-with-roasted-peppers-and-olives/