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Chickpea Quinoa Salad Recipe

4.4 from 67 reviews

A refreshing and nutritious Chickpea Quinoa Salad combining protein-rich chickpeas, fluffy quinoa, crisp cucumber, tangy feta, and a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a side dish that’s easy to prepare and full of vibrant flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 15oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 English cucumber, chopped
  • ½ cup purple onion, diced
  • ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 3 cups chilled cooked quinoa
  • ⅓ cup freshly chopped parsley

Dressing Ingredients

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp Italian Seasoning
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine the drained and rinsed chickpeas, chopped cucumber, diced purple onion, crumbled feta cheese, chilled cooked quinoa, and freshly chopped parsley. Mix gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
  2. Make Dressing: In a small mason jar or bowl, add the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until all ingredients are well emulsified and combined.
  3. Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss everything together thoroughly to ensure the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
  4. Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate until ready to eat, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve chilled as a satisfying meal or side dish.

Notes

  • Use chilled cooked quinoa for best texture; it can be cooked ahead and refrigerated.
  • Adjust sugar in the dressing to your taste preference or substitute with honey or agave syrup.
  • For a vegan option, omit feta cheese or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
  • The salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days, making it great for meal prep.
  • Try adding other fresh herbs like mint or basil for additional flavor variations.

Keywords: chickpea quinoa salad, healthy salad, Mediterranean salad, vegetarian salad, easy lunch recipe, no-cook salad