Greek Chickpea & Cucumber Salad with Feta
This Greek-style chickpea and cucumber salad is crisp, refreshing, and deeply Mediterranean. Creamy chickpeas are combined with crunchy cucumber, salty feta, fresh herbs, and a bright lemon–olive oil dressing. It’s perfect as a light lunch, a side dish, or part of a mezze spread.
⏱ Time
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 0 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
🧺 Ingredients
Salad
1½ cups cooked chickpeas (canned, drained & rinsed)
1 large cucumber, diced
½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional but classic)
⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh dill or mint (optional, very Greek)
Dressing
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
Zest of ½ lemon (optional)
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp dried oregano
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the vegetables
In a large bowl, add chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, and tomatoes.
2. Make the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and oregano.
3. Combine
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is well coated.
4. Add feta & herbs
Sprinkle feta cheese, parsley, and dill (or mint) on top. Gently fold once or twice.
5. Rest & serve
Let the salad rest for 5–10 minutes before serving for best flavor.
🌟 Tips for Best Results
Use English or Persian cucumber for extra crunch
Soak sliced red onion in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce sharpness
Add feta at the end to keep it creamy
Taste before serving—feta adds saltiness
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare everything except feta and herbs. Add them just before serving.
Q: Can I make it vegan?
Yes. Simply omit feta or use plant-based feta.
Q: Is this salad filling?
Yes. Chickpeas provide protein and fiber, making it satisfying.
Q: Can I add olives?
Absolutely. Kalamata olives are very traditional.
🥗 Nutritional Information
Calories: ~280 kcal
Protein: ~9 g
Carbohydrates: ~28 g
Fat: ~14 g
Fiber: ~6 g