Description
A vibrant and refreshing Feta and Cranberry Chickpea Salad tossed with a zesty lemon vinaigrette. This easy-to-make salad combines protein-rich chickpeas, creamy feta cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy sunflower seeds for a deliciously balanced texture and flavor. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Lemon Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Chickpeas and Veggies: Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas thoroughly to remove excess sodium and packing liquid. Finely chop the red onion, celery, and fresh parsley to ensure even distribution in the salad.
- Make Lemon Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar with a lid, combine olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk together or shake vigorously to emulsify the dressing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chickpeas, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, red onion, chopped celery, fresh parsley, and sunflower seeds.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the prepared lemon vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Toss gently yet thoroughly to coat all components evenly with the dressing.
- Let Flavors Meld: For best flavor, allow the salad to rest for 15 to 30 minutes before serving, letting the vinaigrette soak into the chickpeas and vegetables.
Notes
- Rinsing canned chickpeas reduces sodium content and improves flavor.
- The salad can be prepared a few hours in advance and kept chilled; add sunflower seeds just before serving to maintain crunch.
- For a vegan version, omit feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Adjust lemon juice and honey to taste for a more tangy or sweeter dressing.
- This salad pairs well with grilled chicken or fish for a more substantial meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: chickpea salad, feta cheese salad, cranberry salad, lemon vinaigrette, Mediterranean salad, vegetarian salad, healthy lunch
