Fresh Mediterranean Salad (Printable)

Vibrant salad blending cucumber, tomatoes, chickpeas, olives, and lemon-olive oil dressing for a refreshing dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large cucumber, diced
02 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced

→ Legumes

05 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

→ Olives & Cheese

06 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
07 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional; omit for vegan)

→ Fresh Herbs

08 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

09 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 clove garlic, minced
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a large salad bowl, mix diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, diced red bell pepper, drained chickpeas, pitted olives, and chopped parsley.
02 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure even coating.
04 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the salad if desired.
05 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in the time it takes to listen to three songs, no heat required.
  • The chickpeas make it filling enough to call dinner without feeling heavy.
  • Every bite has texture, crunch, salt, and brightness all at once.
02 -
  • If you dress the salad too early, the cucumbers weep and the whole thing turns soupy, so wait until just before serving.
  • The salad tastes better after fifteen minutes of rest, but after an hour the herbs start to fade and the vegetables lose their snap.
03 -
  • Salt the tomatoes lightly and let them sit for five minutes before tossing, theyll release their sweetness and season the whole bowl.
  • If your lemon is too tart, add a tiny pinch of sugar or honey to the dressing to round it out.
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