Ah, chickpeas—these legumes make the most delightful and refreshing . Bursting with chopped vegetables, creamy avocado, feta cheese, lots of , and a hearty squeeze of lemon, this is jam-packed with fresh ingredients to cool you off on a hot day. Luckily, these produce items are available year-round, so you don't have to wait until the farmers' markets crank up for the season—you can enjoy it for a any time of year! It keeps well in the fridge, too, so it's a great .
What is the difference between a chickpea and a garbanzo bean?
Guess what? The names are totally interchangeable. While garbanzo bean is the Spanish term and chickpea is the English word, this agricultural staple has been around for thousands of years and has gone by many names.
What do your pair with chickpeas?
Like most any bean, chickpeas have a relatively mild flavor. That means they're best with balancing, bold ingredients like fresh herbs, bright lemon juice, zingy vinegar, and salty feta. Due to their texture, pairing chickpeas with crunchy vegetables such as cucumber, onion, and bell pepper is also ideal.
What kind of feta is best for chickpea salad?ADVERTISEMENT
This recipe calls for cubed feta, cut from a block. While crumbled feta would be delicious here (and works just fine if you can’t find a block!), it tends to break down in the dressing. Cut from the block, feta tastes fresher and holds its shape in the salad, giving you perfect little bites of creamy, salty goodness.
Which herbs are best in chickpea salad?
Herbs bring so much freshness to this salad. While the recipe calls for parsley and basil, feel free to switch it up! Dill, mint, or cilantro are all great substitutes for basil.
Can chickpea salad be made ahead of time?
Chickpea salad is a perfect candidate for being made ahead.
(15-oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
6oz.feta, cubed
1English cucumber, cut into half moons
1pt.cherry tomatoes, halved
1orange bell pepper, diced
1/2small red onion, thinly sliced
2avocados, cubed
1c.chopped Italian parsley
1/2c.torn basil
1/3c.olive oil
3tbsp.red wine vinegar
2tbsp.fresh lemon juice
1grated garlic clove
1/2tsp.kosher salt
1/4tsp.ground black pepper
1/4tsp.red pepper flakes