Chickpea Salad

Bursting with chickpeas, chopped vegetables, creamy avocado, feta cheese, lots of herbs, and a hearty squeeze of lemon, this chickpea salad may just be one of the most refreshing summer salad recipes ever. 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 healthy lunches any time of year! It keeps well in the fridge, too, so go ahead and add it to your list of meal prep recipes you'll make on repeat.

What's the difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans?

They're the same thing, and 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. Luckily, you can find chickpeas and garbanzo beans right next to all the other beans in the canned food section.

Can you use other types of beans?

Yes. If inspiration strikes, this recipe works very well with other canned beans as long as you use the same amount. Try cannellini beans, kidney beans, or black beans.

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?

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.

Can you leave out the feta?

Absolutely! This salad is very forgiving, so you can add and subtract ingredients to fit your personal preferences. If you're not a fan of feta, try cubing your favorite type of cheese and tossing it in.

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. This marinated bean salad stores very well in the refrigerator for up to two days. If making it ahead of time, keep the avocado and basil on the side until ready to serve. This ensures that the avocado and basil both stay fresh.