Fresh Chickpea Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Lemon Recipe
A refreshing and nutritious Chickpea Salad featuring grape tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, fresh parsley, and red onion, tossed with a zesty lemon, olive oil, and red wine vinegar dressing. Optionally enhanced with creamy avocado, this salad is perfect as a light meal or a side dish, offering a wholesome blend of flavors and textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups diced cucumber
- 1 (15.5 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¾ cup diced green bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
Optional Ingredient
- 1 avocado
Dressing Ingredients
- ½ lemon, juiced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Vegetables and Chickpeas: In a medium bowl, combine the halved grape tomatoes, diced cucumber, drained chickpeas, diced green bell pepper, chopped parsley, and finely diced red onion. Mix gently to blend the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Dressing and Toss: Add olive oil, red wine vinegar, cumin, salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the vegetables. Toss everything thoroughly until the salad is well coated with the dressing.
- Prepare Avocado (Optional): If using avocado, cut it into cubes and place in a small bowl. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon over the avocado and stir gently to combine and prevent browning. If not using avocado, instead squeeze 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice directly over the salad and toss to distribute.
- Refrigerate: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld and serve chilled for a refreshing taste.
Notes
- For best flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least one hour before serving.
- Rinsing the chickpeas removes excess sodium and improves texture.
- The avocado adds creaminess but is optional based on preference or dietary restrictions.
- This salad can be served as a light meal or as a side dish with grilled meats or pita bread.
- To make it vegan and gluten-free, ensure vinegar and other ingredients are suitable.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and lemon juice, for balanced acidity and flavor.
Keywords: chickpea salad, Mediterranean salad, vegan salad, gluten free salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, avocado salad, cucumber salad
