Smashed Chickpea Salad with Feta and Herbs

A fresh, healthy, and seriously satisfying chickpea salad bursting with bright Mediterranean flavors! This Smashed Chickpea Salad features crisp veggies, tangy feta, briny capers and loads of fresh herbs, tossed with protein-packed chickpeas in a zingy lemon dressing. The perfect vegetarian lunch, dinner or cookout side dish. Made with just 8 simple ingredients and ready in 15 minutes!

A delicious, no-cook chickpea salad packed with Greek-inspired flavors

I'll admit, as much as I truly love cooking from scratch, there are plenty of days when I can't be bothered to fuss over a super-involved meal. Especially when temperatures rise and the thought of standing over a hot stove loses its appeal. That's when I turn to no-cook recipes like this bright, herby smashed chickpea salad. It's the kind of simple, satisfying meal that basically makes itself - no sweat required.

There's tons of fresh, zingy, Mediterranean-inspired flavors (tangy feta! briny capers! masses of dill and parsley!) but the star is really the smashed chickpeas, which add nutty, buttery flavor and tons of protein to the mix. By using a fork to smash some of the chickpeas, the salad takes on a creamy texture that helps it bind together and more easily cling to sandwiches, wraps, or greens.

With just 8 simple ingredients that you can easily keep stocked, this chickpea salad comes together in a flash. I'll whip it up for easy, packable lunches, quick veggie-loaded dinners, or as a fresher counterpoint to richer sides at cookouts. The flavors just get better as they marinate together, so feel free to make it ahead of time - but be warned - it's hard to resist eating it all after the first bite.

Why you'll love it

• FRESH FLAVORS. The combination of rich feta, salty capers, lemon, and plenty of herbs creates a bright flavor profile that .
• SATISFYING TEXTURAL CONTRAST. The creamy smashed chickpeas mixed with crisp diced veggies gives you the best of both worlds - even more-so if you serve the salad on toasted bread.
• VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY & MEAT-EATER APPROVED. As someone who isn't a vegetarian and has served this salad to people of all different dietary preferences, I can tell you that it gets "thumbs ups" all around.

Key ingredients

This cool and satisfying smashed chickpea salad is made with a few simple yet flavorful ingredients. Here's a rundown of the key players:

• Chickpeas - The star of the show! Chickpeas provide great plant-based protein and lend a creamy texture once smashed.
• Celery - Like in most sandwich salads (think chicken salad, tuna salad, etc). celery adds great crunch and flavor to this mix.
• Red Onion and Garlic - This aromatic duo gives zesty bite and depth of flavor.
• Cucumber - Brings a cool, refreshing crispness to contrast the creamy elements.
• Feta Cheese - Salty, tangy feta perks up the salad, and is used often in Mediterranean inspired dishes.
• Greek Yogurt - Creates a luscious, creamy base for the dressing.
• Fresh Parsley and Dill - Fresh herbs provide brightness. You can use other herbs, but these two pair especially well with the Mediterranean-inspired elements of the salad.
• Capers - Briny, salty capers provide intense pops of flavor.
• Lemon Juice - Bright lemon juice enhances and brightens all the flavors.
• Olive Oil - Fruity olive oil adds richness to the dressing.
• Oregano, Salt and Pepper - This classic seasoning trio further enhances the Greek flavors.

How to make Smashed Chickpea Salad

This recipe is ridiculously easy - the only real effort you have to put in is chopping the vegetables. Here's a quick rundown of how to make it:

1. DRAIN and rinse the chickpeas, then smash about half of them.
2. DICE the veggies and crumble the feta.
3. WHISK together the yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil and spices to make the dressing.
4. TOSS everything together and chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
5. SERVE as a side or scoop into sandwiches or wraps to enjoy!

Of course, as always, there's a more detailed recipe down at the bottom of this post including ingredient amounts and more information, but you get the idea - this is a recipe that doesn't require much effort... or a hot oven, for that matter, which is great news for hot summer weather.

Why it works

The chickpeas get partially smashed which creates varying textures - some soft and creamy, some firm and chewy. The veggie dice brings added freshness and crunch. Whisking the dressing separately allows the bold olive oil, lemon and oregano flavors to blend beautifully before coating the salad. Finally, letting it rest allows the chickpeas to absorb all the bright, tangy flavors! It's a great alternative to tuna salad or chicken salad as a sandwich filling, or heavier pasta and potato salads as a side for grilled meats.

Tips for success

• Be sure to rinse the chickpeas well before using to remove any metallic can taste.
• Don't skimp on the fresh herbs - while there is also dried oregano in this recipe, the fresh herbs make a huge difference in the flavor of the salad. You won't have the same results if swapping all the fresh for dry!
• If serving on sandwiches, first lightly toast the bread for best results. The yogurt and vegetables are moist and can soak into spongey untoasted bread if sitting for a while, like if they're being prepared for a picnic.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this smashed chickpea salad ahead of time?
A: Yes! It keeps well refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve after a day or two as they meld together. Just give it a quick stir before serving.

Q: Is there a way to make this recipe vegan?
A: For a vegan version, omit the feta or swap for a non-dairy alternative. Use a plain non-dairy yogurt in the dressing, or swap for a vinaigrette. Add extra salt and lemon for flavor if omitting the feta.

Q: Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?
A: Absolutely! If using dried chickpeas, soak them overnight, then cook until tender before using in this recipe. This takes more time but can result in a slightly firmer texture and fresher taste.

More chickpea recipes we love

If you're a big fan of the garbanzo, make sure to add these recipe to the must-make list:

• Easy Chickpea Curry - One of the most popular recipes on this site, and for good reason! It's so simple to make on a weeknight, but absolutely packed with flavor.
• Pasta e Ceci (One Pot Pasta and Chickpeas) - Another recipe that relies on pantry staples for those nights when you didn't plan ahead for dinner. It's so satisfying!
• Harira (Moroccan Chickpea and Lentil Soup) - When it gets colder, this Moroccan soup is a must-make! The harissa and toasted spices make for a deeply flavorful, ultra-comforting dish.
• Easy Ultra-Smooth Hummus - Every chickpea-lover needs a staple hummus recipe, and this one will give you smooth, delicious hummus every time.

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