Cucumber Chickpea Salad brings refreshing flavors any time of year!
I’ll admit it – I was never much of a chickpea fan. Sure, I liked hummus, but there was something about the texture and taste of whole garbanzo beans that I didn’t enjoy. My daughter, on the other hand, loves them. Since she also loves cucumbers, something I rarely eat, this cucumber chickpea salad is right up her alley.
When she lived at home, we used to make giant salads for lunch. For her, no salad was complete without chickpeas. I’d turn to black beans for my salads, which she also loved. The result was Tupperware containers full of extra beans we’d have to eat before they went bad – not a problem because we would just make more salads.
As the years passed, I started to put a few chickpeas in my salad. While I’m still not a huge garbanzo bean fan, I can enjoy a little now. My preference is still hummus, so when digging for a can of chickpeas in my pantry the other day, I was surprised that they expired over a year ago. So much for wanting to make this Best Homemade Hummus for the first time, especially since I actually have tahini in the fridge.
For those who enjoy chickpeas, cucumbers, and red onions, this salad is a perfect way to use them. It comes together in minutes with a colorful and tasty presentation.
Is Cucumber Chickpea Salad Healthy?
This salad packs plenty of plant-based protein and fiber from chickpeas, making it an ideal main course for vegans, vegetarians, or those who want to incorporate more meatless meals into their diets. With vitamins and minerals from tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice, you have a lot of nutrition in a bowl.
Customize The Salad Any Way You Like
Although perfectly delicious as written, cucumber chickpea salad is easily customizable to fit any ingredients you like or have at home. You can use any tomatoes, from cherry or grape to heirloom or plum varieties. If using larger tomatoes, cut them into smaller pieces.
Some tasty and nutritious add-ins include feta or goat cheese, Kalamata olives, peperoncini, banana peppers, avocado, celery, and bell peppers. You can swap red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lime juice for the lemon juice. Add fresh or dried thyme, basil, mint, dill, or rosemary. Another change is substituting other beans for the chickpeas, such as Great Northern or pinto beans.
How to make ahead and store
Prepping ahead is easy; you can prepare the vegetables the day before and store them in separate refrigerated containers. You can also make the dressing up to 24 hours ahead and combine everything before serving. I like to make the salad at least 15 minutes before serving to give the flavors time to mingle and intensify. Refrigerate leftover salad for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
Cucumber chickpea salad goes great with anything, especially Mediterranean foods like Kofta Kebabs, Chicken Couscous, or Lamb Meatballs. For a protein boost, add your favorite cooked protein, like chicken, turkey, ham, steak, or shrimp, directly into the salad.
If you liked this salad, check out the recipes for Mediterranean Cucumber Salad and this delectable Mediterranean Bowl. They are both sure to please.
Ingredients
- 1 can 15 ounces chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 2 cups cucumber diced
- 1/3 cup red onion diced
- 1/3 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, garlic, tomatoes, and the chopped parsley.
- In a small bowl, make the dressing by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, oregano, and pepper. Adjust seasonings according to taste.
- Add the dressing to the large bowl and fold the ingredients together until everything is coated.
- Serve immediately or chill, sprinkling extra parsley on top for garnish.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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