Chickpea Feta Salad with Tahini Lemon Dressing

This satisfying Chickpea Feta Salad recipe was inspired by one of my favourite dishes from a local coffee shop. Not only is this salad healthy and delicious, it’s incredibly hearty and can easily be eaten as a main for lunch. The chopped salad is delicious on it’s own, but it’s the tahini lemon dressing that takes it to another level. The dressing is bright as well as creamy, and adds a level of complexity to an otherwise simple dish.

TOTAL TIME FOR CHICKPEA FETA SALAD

• Preparation Time – 10 minutes
• Cooking Time – 5 minutes
• Total Time – 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKPEA FETA SALAD

You can easily purchase these ingredients from your local grocery store. Tahini should be available anywhere that middle eastern food products are sold.

• 3/4 cup Cooked chick peas
• 1/2 cup Cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup Tomato, diced
• 1/4 cup Feta, diced/crumbled
• 1/8 cup Shallot or red onion, minced
• Olives (pitted kalamata, or stuffed green, optional)
• 1 tbsp Tahini
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tbsp Water
• 1/8 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp Minced garlic (1 small clove)

ARE CHICKPEAS THE SAME AS GARBANZO BEANS?

Yes, Garbanzo beans are the same thing as Chickpeas. There is no difference.

CAN I USE CHICKPEAS STRAIGHT FROM THE CAN?

I would recommend rinsing your chickpeas before using them. Chickpeas are packaged in water, and the starches from the beans leach into the water creating an almost slimy substance. Aside from the unpleasant texture, unless you purchase organic chickpeas packaged in BPA free cans I would fully rinse them prior to using.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE ANOTHER TYPE OF BEAN FOR CHICKPEAS?

If you don’t like chickpeas, you could substitute white cannellini beans (also known as white kidney beans) in this salad. They would have a creamier texture than chickpeas, but would still be delicious.

DO I NEED TO COOK MY CHICKPEAS FROM SCRATCH FOR CHICKPEA FETA SALAD?

I wouldn’t bother cooking your chickpeas from scratch for this salad: you can easily buy high quality canned chickpeas. I would strongly recommend purchasing organic chickpeas canned in BPA free cans.

WHAT IS TAHINI?

Tahini is sesame paste: a staple in middle eastern cooking, and normally used in hummus. This delicious spread has a taste similar to nut butter, and can be used in anything from savoury dressings to dessert. I like to buy Nuts to You brand tahini because it doesn’t have any additives. Like any natural nut/seed butter it will separate, and needs to be thoroughly mixed before use.

EQUIPMENT FOR CHICKPEA FETA SALAD

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Below is a list of the main equipment/kitchen tools needed to make this chickpea feta salad.

• Chef’s Knife – A good sharp chef’s knife is key when doing any chopping/cutting. You want something heavy enough that the weight will assist you in chopping, but not so heavy that it’s hard to use. I like this mid range option from J.A Henkels.

• Cutting Board – While I enjoy using wood cutting boards to display food, I like to chop and prep on a BPA free plastic board that I can toss in the dishwasher after use. I am a big fan of OXO products, including their non slip cutting board.

• Whisk – A simple whisk is a tool that all home cooks need. I like using one that’s dishwasher safe.

• Small Bowl

COOKING DIRECTIONS

Tahini is what takes this chopped chickpea feta salad from simple to spectacular. Although it is delicious, it’s also quite heavy, so to lighten it up I use equal parts tahini and lemon juice. The amounts listed here are for a personal salad served as a main. To make it for more people, simply increase the amounts proportionately. This beautiful salad could easily be served as a side for many people, as well as a main.

MAKE AHEAD/STORAGE

If you’re planning to make this salad ahead of time, keep the chopped vegetables and dressing separate. They can be stored together if necessary, but the cucumbers and onions will loose their crispness after sitting dressed in the fridge. Also, keep in mind that fresh tomatoes should not be stored in the fridge as the cold changes their texture and makes them grainy. Consider leaving the tomatoes out, and adding them just before eating instead.

FINISHED DISH

I hope you enjoy your Chickpea Feta Salad with Tahini Lemon Dressing!

OTHER VEGETARIAN DISHES

Delicious and Healthy Farfalle Primavera

OTHER QUICK DISHES

Easy Avocado Toast

Creamy Avocado Pasta

Penne Alla Vodka with Pancetta

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a comment and rating below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #cooking.with.carbs.