Description
A refreshing and healthy Tzatziki Chickpea Salad featuring protein-rich chickpeas combined with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a creamy Greek yogurt-based tzatziki dressing, flavored with garlic, dill, and lemon juice. This Mediterranean-inspired salad is perfect as a light lunch or side dish, offering a delicious balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
Tzatziki Dressing
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (For a vegan version, substitute with plant-based yogurt.)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (Or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Vegetables and Chickpeas: In a large mixing bowl, add the drained chickpeas, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion. Gently stir to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Tzatziki Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared tzatziki dressing over the chickpea and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Season and Chill: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Cover and refrigerate the salad for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Serve the salad chilled, garnished with extra fresh dill if desired for an added burst of flavor and visual appeal.
- Optional Additions: For extra crunch and variety, feel free to add other vegetables such as diced bell peppers or sliced radishes.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will keep fresh for up to 2 days.
- Vegan Variation: To make this recipe vegan, replace the Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt alternative like coconut or almond yogurt.
Notes
- This salad is best served chilled to enhance the fresh flavors.
- Use fresh dill if possible for the best aromatic flavor; dried dill can be used as a substitute.
- Ensure chickpeas are thoroughly rinsed and drained to avoid excess liquid in the salad.
- Adjust garlic quantity according to your preference for pungency.
- Add extra lemon juice for more tanginess if desired.
- The salad can be customized with additional fresh herbs like mint or parsley for variation.
- Perfect as a light meal on its own or served alongside grilled meats or pita bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook, mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 6mg
Keywords: tzatziki, chickpea salad, Greek yogurt salad, Mediterranean salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, quick salad, protein-rich salad