Bright & Zesty Ina Garten’s Chickpea Salad Recipe For Sunny Days

Summers call for light, refreshing dishes that dance on your palate, and this Ina Garten chickpea salad recipe offers just the right balance of zest and nutrition.

Packed with vibrant Mediterranean flavors, the salad brings a delightful twist to your lunch or dinner table.

Fresh herbs mingle with crisp vegetables, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Garten’s touch elevates simple ingredients into a memorable meal that feels both sophisticated and comfortably familiar.

Each forkful promises a burst of flavor that will leave you wanting more.

The combination of protein-rich chickpeas and bright, tangy dressing makes this salad a perfect standalone dish or a stunning side.

You’ll love how quickly it comes together, making it an ideal choice for busy weekdays or leisurely weekend gatherings.

Get ready to savor every delicious bite of this Mediterranean-inspired culinary gem.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 4

Everything Needed for Ina Garten Chickpea Salad

• Cucumber: Adds crisp texture and cool refreshment to the salad, choose firm and bright green specimens.
• Bell Pepper: Brings vibrant color and sweet crunch, select peppers without blemishes or soft spots.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Delivers bursting juicy sweetness, pick ripe and deeply colored tomatoes.
• Red Onion: Provides sharp, zingy flavor, look for firm bulbs with tight, glossy skin.

• Parsley, Mint: Infuse bright, aromatic freshness, select leaves that are perky and intensely green without wilting.

• Chickpeas: Creates hearty, protein-packed foundation, choose well-drained canned chickpeas or freshly cooked legumes.

• Olive Oil: Offers smooth, rich binding element, select extra virgin for best flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Adds tangy brightness and helps balance flavors, use freshly squeezed for optimal zestiness.
• Ground Cumin: Introduces warm, earthy undertones, ensure spice is fresh and fragrant.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhance and elevate overall taste profile, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.

Tools You’ll Want for Ina Garten Chickpea Salad

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all salad ingredients and tossing with dressing.
• Small mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking together the zesty dressing ingredients.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables and herbs with precision.
• Chef's knife: Sharp and reliable tool for dicing cucumber, bell pepper, and finely chopping herbs.
• Whisk: Ideal for blending dressing ingredients smoothly and evenly.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt, cumin, and other seasonings.
• Measuring cup: Ensures precise olive oil and lemon juice measurements.

Instructions to Assemble Ina Garten Chickpea Salad

Mediterranean Chickpea Delight

• Fresh Veggie Selection Chop colorful cucumber, crunchy bell peppers, sweet cherry tomatoes, zesty red onion, and fragrant herbs into bite-sized pieces that will dance together in this vibrant salad.
• Mixing Magic Toss all chopped vegetables and chickpeas into a spacious bowl, creating a beautiful canvas of textures and flavors that promise an exciting culinary adventure.
• Dressing Charm Whisk together bright lemon juice, rich olive oil, warming cumin, and a pinch of seasoning to create a tangy liquid that will transform your simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.
• Flavor Fusion Drizzle the dressing over your salad and gently fold everything together, allowing each ingredient to mingle and celebrate its unique personality. Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, giving the flavors time to get acquainted and create a harmonious blend that will make your taste buds sing.

Simple Tweaks for Ina Garten Chickpea Salad

• Swap in seasonal vegetables like zucchini, radishes, or roasted red peppers to keep the salad exciting and fresh throughout the year.
• Add crumbled feta cheese, grilled chicken, or canned tuna to transform this side dish into a satisfying main course for lunch or dinner.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices like smoked paprika, fresh dill, or za'atar to create unique flavor profiles that match your mood or cuisine preference.
• This salad tastes even better after marinating overnight, making it perfect for meal prep or potluck gatherings. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Introduce crunchy elements like toasted pine nuts, sunflower seeds, or crispy chickpeas to add an extra layer of texture and nutty flavor to the salad.

Ways to Plate Ina Garten Chickpea Salad Beautifully

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve this vibrant chickpea salad alongside warm, crusty artisan bread for a delightful texture contrast and perfect Mediterranean-style meal.
• Pack for Picnics: Transfer the chilled salad into portable containers for a refreshing and protein-packed lunch during outdoor adventures or work breaks.
• Create a Complete Meal: Top the salad with grilled chicken, feta cheese, or hard-boiled eggs to transform it into a satisfying and nutritious main course that will keep you energized throughout the day.
• Elevate with Garnishes: Sprinkle some extra chopped herbs, crumbled feta, or toasted pine nuts on top to add a delicious crunch and enhance the salad's visual appeal.

Save and Store Ina Garten Chickpea Salad Easily

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover salad to an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Refrigerate Quickly: Keep the chickpea salad chilled at 40°F or below, ensuring optimal taste and food safety for up to 3-4 days.
• Refresh Before Serving: Gently stir the salad and add a splash of fresh lemon juice or olive oil to revive the flavors before enjoying leftovers.
• Avoid Freezing: Skip freezing this salad, as fresh vegetables and herbs will lose their crisp texture and vibrant taste when thawed.

Vibrant Ina Garten Chickpea Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Mediterranean chickpea salad brims with fresh herbs and zesty flavors from Greece. Mediterranean ingredients create a simple, refreshing side dish you can enjoy alongside grilled meats or as a light lunch.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cans (15 oz/425 g each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
• 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup (15 g) fresh mint, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Veggie Preparation: Dice cucumber and bell pepper into uniform 1/4-inch cubes, halve cherry tomatoes, and finely mince red onion, parsley, and mint leaves to ensure optimal flavor distribution.
2. Salad Assembly: In a spacious mixing bowl, layer chickpeas as the foundational element, then artfully arrange the prepared red onion, cucumber, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and chopped herbs.
3. Dressing Creation: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until the mixture transforms into a smooth, aromatic emulsion.
4. Flavor Infusion: Gently drizzle the vibrant dressing over the chickpea and vegetable medley, employing a delicate folding technique to ensure comprehensive coating and flavor harmony.
5. Marination and Chilling: Seal the salad with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap, allowing it to rest in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes, enabling ingredients to meld and intensify their collective taste profile.
6. Final Touches: Prior to serving, give the salad a gentle stir and optionally garnish with additional parsley or mint sprigs to elevate both visual appeal and herbal freshness.

Notes

• Precise Vegetable Cutting: Uniformly dice cucumber and bell pepper to 1/4 inch for consistent texture and even flavor distribution.
• Herb Mincing Technique: Finely chop parsley and mint to release maximum aromatic oils and ensure balanced herb presence throughout the salad.
• Marination Magic: Refrigerate the salad for 30-45 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify, transforming the dish from good to extraordinary.
• Dressing Emulsion Secret: Whisk olive oil and lemon juice thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated dressing that coats each ingredient perfectly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg