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Fresh Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Bowls Easy Creamy Tzatziki Recipe

Mediterranean chickpea salad bowl - featured image
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A fresh Mediterranean chickpea salad bowl with creamy tzatziki that is quick, easy, and packed with bold flavors and satisfying textures. Perfect for a wholesome lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess water
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse and drain one 15 oz (425 g) can of chickpeas thoroughly and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Dice 1 medium cucumber into bite-sized pieces. Halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes. Finely chop 1/4 red onion. Add all to the bowl with chickpeas.
  3. Pit and slice 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, then toss them into the bowl.
  4. Finely chop 1/4 cup each of fresh parsley and fresh mint. Add these fresh herbs to the bowl.
  5. Grate 1/2 cucumber using a box grater or microplane. Squeeze out as much water as possible to avoid watery sauce.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine grated cucumber, 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix well until creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Pour the creamy tzatziki over the chickpea mixture. Gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated. Fold in 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese if desired.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Let the salad sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Drain chickpeas well to avoid watery salad. Squeeze grated cucumber thoroughly to keep tzatziki thick. Use fresh herbs for best flavor. Let salad rest 10 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Prepare tzatziki a day ahead for deeper flavor but keep separate until serving to prevent sogginess. Add protein like grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal. For dairy-free, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut or almond yogurt and omit feta or use vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean salad, chickpea salad, tzatziki, healthy lunch, easy salad recipe, plant-based meal, gluten-free, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://islatable.com/fresh-mediterranean-chickpea-salad-bowls-easy-creamy-tzatziki-recipe/