Chickpea Feta Salad

5 from 3 votes
Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Chickpea Feta Salad is a healthy, vibrant, and delicious salad made with chickpeas, lots of chopped vegetables, and a zesty vinaigrette with Mediterranean flavors.

Chickpea salad with tomatoes and feta in a blue and white bowl with a fork on the side
Want to save this recipe?
Type your email below and I’ll send it to you! As a bonus, you’ll receive recipes, shop specials, and more.

The first time Dan ate this chickpea salad at our local Lebanese restaurant, Woody’s, he called me with what could only be called a fever-pitch. He described what heโ€™d eaten in detail, and brought some home. He started talking about how and when I would master the salad, reviewing a run-down of everything in it. My phone rings or dings every single time Dan makes the rounds at Woodyโ€™s (โ€œI had the chickpeas again!โ€). I know, he’s adorable.

It took me a looong while to dive in on developing this recipe because it’s so…tabbouleh-esque in its demand for chopping. That’s not my favorite kitchen task, but once you try the incredibly good (and healthy!) combo of chickpeas, vegetables, and feta in the mouthwatering vinaigrette that dresses the salad, you’ll reach for your knife, no hesitation! Suddenly this is an easy chickpea salad to make because you’ll want it so much, and so often.

Why Youโ€™ll Love Chickpea Feta Salad

Looking to switch it up from your usual green salads? This Mediterranean chickpea salad is healthy, packed with flavor, so satisfying as a side dish, easy lunch, or snack. Plus, all of the pantry staples that are the salad ingredients here are long-lasting for make-ahead meal prep. The addition of feta cheese adds so much with salty complexity.

Ingredients for chopping, Maureen Abood

What goes in Chickpea Salad?

Cucumber. I like to use Persian cucumbers, but a small English cucumber does the job, too! Crisp cucumbers are the only requirement.

Radish. Perfect for adding a crisp, slightly sharper flavor to the salad. Can easily be replaced with red onion if radishes arenโ€™t in your wheelhouse!

Tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes, with the seeds removed before dicing. Grape tomatoes will do just fine if thatโ€™s what you have on hand. I wouldnโ€™t recommend using bigger, juicy tomatoes as they might lend to a soggy salad.

Snap peas. The crunch! You can either finely dice them like the other fresh veggies, or snap them with your hands to get different sizes and textures in your salad. 

Scallion. An essential part of this chickpea salad with feta! Make sure to use both the white and green part of the green onions.

Bell pepper. My favorite is red bell pepper because itโ€™s slightly sweet, but use whatever you like or have on hand. 

Chickpeas. Chickpeas also known as garbanzo beans, are among the main ingredients in a chickpea salad recipe. Make sure they are drained and rinsed with cold water if you buy canned chickpeas, or cook from dry. 

Feta. One of my absolute favorite ingredients in this salad is the salty, briny flavor of feta cheese. Vegan substitution: olives or capers.

Lemon. Fresh lemon juice is best for that acidic punch.

Olive Oil. Extra virgin!

Rice vinegar. Make sure to use unseasoned rice vinegar. If you donโ€™t have any, apple cider vinegar, or red wine vinegar will have a similar effect to help create your zesty dressing. 

Herbs.ย Dried herbs build on the flavors here. My recipe calls for dried mint salt. A bit of salt, garlic powder, and black pepper round out the dressing. Add red pepper flakes if you want a little kick!

Salt and Pepper to taste. Taste the salad after assembling everything and see if it needs any additional salt (and pepper). Because feta is salty, I wait to season with salt and pepper just in case it’s not needed.

Diced cucumbers for salad, Maureen Abood

How to Make Chickpea Feta Salad

Step 1. Chop! Finely dice all of the vegetables, removing the seeds from the tomatoes before dicing them. Use both the white and green parts of the scallions. 

Step 2Toss the salad. In a large bowl, combine the vegetables with the chickpeas. Add half of the crumbled feta over top.

Step 3Make the vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, dried mint, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix the vinaigrette with the salad and chill for an hour or so before serving.

Feta for salad, Maureen Abood

Substitutions and Tips for Chickpea Feta Salad

  1. If youโ€™re making a vegan chickpea salad, substitute the feta with kalamata olives or capers (rinsed).
  2. Although chickpeas are protein-packed, if you want to take it to the next level, add black beans, but watch for creating too mushy of a texture if you combine the two. 
  3. I like to use dried herbs mixed into the dressing, but if you prefer fresh, mint and fresh parsley would be great.
  4. Instead of making a light, lemony dressing, you could opt for one with more sustenance. Using mayonnaise will get the job done. Again, if making this salad vegan, use vegan mayo or creamy avocados as the base for your dressing. Go with a food processor for blending if youโ€™re taking this route!
  5. Add edamame, salmon, chicken, or other meat for more protein. Alternatively, use a potato masher to mash the chickpeas to create a โ€˜chickpea tuna saladโ€™ or โ€˜vegan tuna saladโ€™ style dish. 

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

To make chickpea salad ahead of time, go ahead and combine all of the ingredients and dress the salad. This salad enjoys a marinade time! The next time you serve it, within a few days, the flavor will be even better!

Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days.

If making chickpeas from dry, give yourself an extra day to prepare the chickpeas (see how to cook dried chickpeas). You can also use an instant pot or pressure cooker; set the timer to the required cooking time. 

Feta and Chickpea Salad, Maureen Abood

What to serve with Chickpea Feta Salad 

Need some serving suggestions? You can serve this simple chickpea salad with other great recipes like chicken shawarma or beef shawarma, or as a side dish alongside grilled meats like shish tawook, Lebanese beef kafta, or lamb kofta burgers. If you don’t mind doubling up on chickpeas, you should also make my falafel recipe.

Chickpea and feta salad, Maureen Abood

Frequently Asked Questions

Chickpea Salad or Garbanzo Bean Salad?

These words are interchangeable; chickpeas and garbanzo beans are the same!

Is Chickpea Salad vegan?

Chickpeas are vegan, so unless you add feta as is called for in my recipe, this whole salad is vegan.

Are chickpeas good for you?

Yes! Chickpeas, and all of the fresh ingredients in this recipe, are a great way to get your daily values of lots of nutrients.

Are chickpeas mostly carbs or protein?

While chickpeas do have carbs, they are whole foods with lots of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

What does a chickpea salad contain?

The best part about chickpea salad is that itโ€™s super versatile, it can contain any fresh Mediterranean flavors you want. You can even switch up some ingredients to turn this into a Greek chickpea salad, or use Roma tomatoes and Italian seasoning for a totally different version.ย 

Can I eat chickpea salad every day?

Totally! The vibrant flavors of this recipe are great to enjoy every day.ย 

More Chickpea Recipes to try

Lebanese Vegetable Soup with Chickpeas and Kale

Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas with Za’atar

Best Homemade Hummus Recipe

How to Cook Dried Chickpeas

Chickpea salad with tomatoes and feta in a blue and white bowl with a fork on the side
Tap the stars to rate this recipe!
5 from 3 votes

Chickpea Feta Salad Recipe

This easy Chickpea Salad recipe is healthy, vibrant and delicious! Use chickpeas, lots of chopped vegetables, and a zesty Mediterranean vinaigrette. Great as a side, or a protein and fiber-packed snack or lunch. Your line-up of vegetables can include anything you like. A mix of colors and a lot of crunch is the goal.
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 3 Persian or other small cucumbers
  • 5 radishes
  • 5 Campari tomatoes
  • 15 snap peas
  • 3 scallions
  • 1 large red, orange, or yellow bell pepper
  • 16 ounces chickpeas, canned, drained and rinsed, or cooked from dry
  • 8 ounces feta cheese
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic Mint Salt, or your own blend of dried mint, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Save This Recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, and as a bonus, you’ll receive recipes, shop specials, and more.

Instructions 

  • Finely dice all of the vegetables, removing the seeds from the tomatoes before dicing them. For the scallions, use both the white and green parts.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the vegetables with the chickpeas. Crumble half of the feta over top.
  • Dress with the lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, and Garlic Mint Salt (use dried mint, garlic powder, salt and pepper). Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving, topped with more feta.

Notes

Make ahead: Combine all of the ingredients and dress the salad. You can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days.
Dried chickpeas: If you’re using dried chickpeas, give yourself an extra day to prepare the chickpeas (see how to cook dried chickpeas). You can also use an instant pot or pressure cooker; set the timer to the required cooking time.ย 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 1204mg | Potassium: 371mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1187IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 182mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Maureen Abood
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Lebanese
Servings: 8
Calories: 233
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!
(Visited 1,259 times, 1 visits today)

You May Also Like...


5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

31 Comments

  1. Annie says:

    Bonjour maureen
    Je suis curieuse, votre salade goute tels comme la salade de Woodyโ€™s? โ˜บ๏ธ

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Oui! Tres bien!

  2. Karen says:

    I bought a jar of dried mint. What are the measurements to make my own garlic mint salt?

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Karen, wonderful. We keep the recipes for our custom spice blends sold at MaureenAbodoMarket.com proprietary, but you can mix a blend of dried mint, garlic powder, salt and pepper and taste to desired balance and it will be delicious. Main ingredient flavor and quantity is the mint.

  3. Karen Golden says:

    My family loved this salad. My 19yr old son finished it off before the rest of us were able to have seconds. Thanks for another amazing recipe!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      This quickly becomes a favorite! Thanks Karen!

  4. mary coughlin says:

    I just finished making this for a Fourth of July party. It is not only very pretty, but also very tasty. Thanks for the recipe.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Great great great, Mary!

  5. Karen Lipsey says:

    How much in advance can you make this salad? It looks delicious!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Karen, this salad can be made up to three days in advance. Though I will say the salad has stayed nice all week long more than once.

  6. Beth says:

    I can’t wait to make this dish, however, I was struck by the peeled chickpeas. All my 53 years I have peeled before making hummus. I thought it was my imagination and now, lo and behold! An expert in my corner!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Amen! Thank you Beth!

  7. Linda says:

    Although I share your aversion to dicing a million little dices, this one looks well worth the effort ๐Ÿ™‚
    Best wishes from the ‘northern lower’!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      So yummy! And best to you too!

  8. Jessica says:

    I just made this for my anniversary picnic ๐Ÿ™‚ And it was delish! Normally my husband has the pallet of a 5 year old, but this he loved! (I used lemon juice from concentrate as I had no time to run to the store). Thank you so much for posting it!

  9. Lynda Switzer says:

    So delicious. Thanks so much for sharing! My kids thank you even more ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. bernadette seliski says:

    Hi Maureen.. Please come back to twin city area of Minnesota.. Really enjoy your classes.bernadette

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Thank you! I’d love to come back one day!

  11. Mliss says:

    One of my favorite summer salads is chickpeas, red onion, feta, dry oregano, parsley, garlic, oil & vinegar. Your salad sounds like a little more work but will add some great crunch. Can’t wait to try the mint dressing.

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      The mint does add that special touch! Your other favorite sounds delicious too!

  12. Katie Dyos says:

    YUM!!

  13. margaret says:

    curious what kind of feta you prefer? i look forward to making this (chopping aside)!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Hi Margaret–I always get chunk feta rather than crumbles, and honestly it depends on where I happen to be shopping. Some of our groceries have a better cheese selection than others…so I just make sure it’s Greek imported, full-fat, and in a nice block.

  14. Terri Brantley says:

    After reading your post I stopped at Woody’s and got a pint of the salad. Dan is right, it is delish! I guess I need to go shopping and begin chopping.

  15. Christina Shape says:

    Thanks Maureen!

  16. Christina Shape says:

    Maureen, this looks delicious! Two questions: 1). Regarding snap peas–are they sugar snap peas that you chop up including the pod? 2). If I use canned chickpeas, do I drain and rinse them? Thanks!

    1. Maureen Abood says:

      Great questions! See the updated recipe!

    2. Mary says:

      Do I drain and rinse the chickpeas or not? The recipe did not mention that so do I assume that I don’t drain and rinse them?
      Thanks.

      1. Maureen Abood says:

        Hi Mary–thanks for your question. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. I’ve added this to the recipe!

    3. Jess says:

      This looks great. But the recipie dodnt include the bell peppers. Do u still add that?

      1. Maureen Abood says:

        Yes! Missing and I just put it in, thank you!