Simple and delicious, this Mediterranean salad with chickpeas is loaded with veggies with an oil-free dressing. It is gluten-free and full of flavors. This Mediterranean chickpea salad recipe is a great side dish or entree salad. And it only takes a few minutes to make!

When I want to make a simple side salad or an entree salad, my first choice is always Mediterranean flavors. However, I love this Mediterranean salad with chickpeas loaded with fresh herbs, vegetables, and a simple dressing. Even though Mediterranean salad recipes vary with ingredients, the core flavors make or break a salad. But, something unique about this Mediterranean chickpea salad recipe is it's made with chickpeas and an array of vegetables yet doesn't contain lettuce.
Jump to:
- Fresh Herbs vs. Dried Herbs
- Mediterranean Dressing Ingredients
- Mediterranean Dressing Ingredient Substitutions
- Mediterranean Salad Ingredients
- Mediterranean Salad Ingredient Substitutions
- How to Make Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Recipe FAQs
- Tips
- More Delicious Vegan Salads to Try!
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Reviews
Although I make various Mediterranean salad recipes, this recipe takes only minutes to complete. And, if you love Mediterranean flavors as I do, you will also love these salads if you prefer a salad with lettuce or pasta.
Fresh Herbs vs. Dried Herbs
More often than not, I prefer fresh herbs over dried ones. But, believe it on not; there is a general rule for cooking with dry herbs versus fresh ones. The ratio of dry versus fresh herbs is three to one.
For example, if a recipe calls for 1 Tablespoon of fresh parsley, only use one teaspoon. Because dried herbs are more potent, they require less than if using fresh herbs.
Since I grow my own herbs in my kitchen and outdoors year-round, I'm spoiled with fresh herbs. But, if you can't get fresh, use dried. Just be sure you remember that less is more with dried herbs.
I chose fresh mint, parsley, and basil for this Mediterranean salad recipe. These herbs all work well with Mediterranean dishes, but they also taste fabulous together.
Mediterranean Dressing Ingredients
The dressing compliments the vegetables and flavors because of the herbs and combination of ingredients in the Mediterranean salad recipe. And, because the flavors develop over time, I suggest dressing the salad an hour or so before serving.
- Lemon + Zest: Fresh lemon and lemon zest brings freshness and citrus flavor to this simple dressing.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Red wine vinegar is made from red wine. This means that the secondary flavor (behind all that tang) is fruit. Of the wine vinegar, red wine tends to be punchier, with a more vibrant grape flavor. The flavor is hot and robust, the opposite of delicate.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup sweetens the dressing slightly and relaxes the tartness of the lemon juice and the red wine vinegar.
Mediterranean Dressing Ingredient Substitutions
- If you don't have fresh lemon juice and zest, use bottled lemon juice and increase the amount by 1 teaspoon to accommodate teh lemon zest.
- Use balsamic vinegar or white vinegar instead of red wine vinegar.
- Date syrup or agave nectar replace maple syrup in dressings.
Mediterranean Salad Ingredients
- Chickpeas: Chickpeas are the base of the salad, loaded with protein.
- English Cucumber: I prefer English cucumbers because they contain fewer seeds and don't weigh down the salad with extra water.
- Red Onion: Red onion is sweet and tangy and works perfectly with the other ingredient.
- Grape Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes are the perfect size to cut into halves for a salad. They also contain fewer seeds, preventing the salad from becoming soggy.
- Kalamata Olives: I love kalamata olives because they are like little explosions of flavor. Their bold salty brine makes a perfect addition to this Mediterranean salad with chickpeas.
- Capers: Capers are reminiscent of the lemony tang and saltiness of green olives but with a smack of floral tartness. Because they're packed in brine, capers also boast a bold salty, savory flavor.
- Mint: Mint tastes sweet and produces a lingering cool effect on the tongue. Peppermint has a stronger flavor with a more menthol taste. The fresh leaves have the most flavor and scent, with those much reduced in dried mint leaves.
- Parsley: Parsley has a clean and peppery taste with a touch of earthiness, making it a great all-rounder in the kitchen
- Basil: Sweet basil has a fresh flavor, with a finish of black pepper and subtle anise and mint notes. It's milder than the Thai variety, which has a strong black licorice flavor.
- Garlic: I prefer fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
Mediterranean Salad Ingredient Substitutions
- If you don't like chickpeas, try white beans.
- Persian cucumbers are similar to English ones, as they contain fewer seeds than regular ones. If you only have regular cucumbers, I suggest cutting them down the middle and removing the seeds before chopping and adding them to the salad.
- Use green onions or yellow onion as a substitute for red onion.
- Cherry tomatoes or snacking tomatoes are similar to grape tomatoes in size.
- Although fresh herbs are always best, a good ratio is 1 to 3. For example, if a recipe calls for 3 teaspoons of fresh rosemary, use 1 teaspoon of dried. Dried herbs tend to have fewer oils because they are dehydrated. However, those oils tend to be trapped deeper inside the herbs.
- One clove of garlic equals about ⅛th of a teaspoon of garlic powder.
How to Make Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Other than the herbs and dressing, of course, are the array of vegetables and other goodies. Chickpeas are the base of the salad, followed by cucumbers, red onions, and grape tomatoes.
Then, I add kalamata olives and capers for an added zest and zing! Then, of course, the herbs are added last, followed by the simple dressing. Nest, it all gets tossed together, is a beautiful marriage in the refrigerator.
Once the Mediterranean salad is marinated in the refrigerator, you can serve it as an entree salad or a side dish or make it a wrap with some hummus. Another idea is to add kale and quinoa or top it with some grilled Mediterranean tofu.
This is one of my favorite salads not only because it's easy but also because it's delicious. I served Meditteranean salad on the side for my vegan lobster roll.
Another idea for this salad is to add grilled tofu as an entree salad. Or, add kale and quinoa for a heartier salad.
Recipe FAQs
There are 222 calories and only 1 gram of fat in this Mediterranean salad with chickpeas.
While black olives are round and wholly black, kalamata olives are more almond-shaped, not black but brown. And kalamata olives have a bold, distinct flavor.
This salad recipe lasts 5-7 days refrigerated. Pre-dress the salad for maximum flavor, which enhances over time.
Tips
- If using dried chickpeas, soak them overnight before cooking them; once cooked, you may want to remove the skins by running the cooked chickpeas under cold water. USe your fingers to remove the skins.
- For canned chickpeas, drain and rinse the chickpeas in a colander to remove the aquafaba or save the aquafaba in a separate container for another recipe.
- I use a vegetable chopper to expedite the chopping process and make all the vegetable uniform in shape.
- The salad flavor enhances overtime, so refrigerating it for an hour or so is recommended before serving.
- Serve as a side dish or a main salad.
- I make this salad and enjoy it all week long for a quick and easy lunch.
- Or, serve as an entree salad with grilled tofu or tempeh. I also like to add quinoa, barley, farro, or brown rice.
For a quick and easy meal in minimal time, try this Mediterranean salad with chickpeas.
More Delicious Vegan Salads to Try!
If you love this Mediterranean salad recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!
📖 Recipe
Mediterranean Salad
Ingredients
Mediterranean Salad
- 26 ounces chickpeas garbanzo bean, rinsed and drained
- ½ English cucumber diced small
- 1 small red onion ½ cup diced small
- ½ cup grape tomatoes quartered
- ¼ cup kalamata olives cut in halves
- ⅛ cup capers drained
- ¼ cup fresh mint chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Dressing
- Juice and zest of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
Instructions
Salad
- Rinse and drain chickpeas.
- Place chickpeas in a large bowl.
- Add the remaining other ingredients except for the dressing.
Dressing
- Whisk ingredients together in a measuring cup.
- Pour over salad ingredients.
- Toss together, cover and refrigerate.
Serving
- Serve as a side salad and entree, or put the salad in a wrap for a sandwich.
Notes
- If using dried chickpeas, soak them overnight before cooking them; once cooked, you may want to remove the skins by running the cooked chickpeas under cold water. Use your fingers to remove the skins.
- For canned chickpeas, drain and rinse the chickpeas in a colander to remove the aquafaba or save the aquafaba in a separate container for another recipe.
- I use a vegetable chopper to expedite the chopping process and make all the vegetable uniform in shape.
- The salad flavor enhances over time, so refrigerating it for an hour or so is recommended before serving.
- Serve as a side dish or a main salad.
- I make this salad and enjoy it all week long for a quick and easy lunch.
- Or, serve as an entree salad with grilled tofu or tempeh. I also like to add quinoa, barley, farro, or brown rice.
Nutrition
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Cheryl Mae
I made this and extended it a bit by adding a diced orange pepper, more veggies and a little mall shell pasta. I didn't ee the part about adding the lemon peel so added 1/2 tsp. of ground sumac. I also always add 1/2 tsp. each of dried basil, marjoram and oregano and a shake of garlic powder. Delicious.