I love a good meal that’s fresh and easy. Today, I’m sharing two fantastic Mediterranean salad recipes that are perfect for a light lunch or a side dish. These healthy recipes are simple to make and packed with bright flavors.
You’ll find these easy Mediterranean meals quickly becoming favorites in your kitchen. They are quick to prepare and truly delicious!
Jump to Recipe:
Fresh Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Recipe
This chickpea salad is hearty yet light, full of fresh vegetables and a zesty dressing. It’s a great plant-based meal you can enjoy any day of the week.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Chickpeas: Rinse canned chickpeas well to remove extra sodium and make them lighter.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley and mint add amazing brightness. Don’t skip them for the best flavor!
- Zesty Dressing: A simple lemon-olive oil dressing ties all the flavors together beautifully.
What You Need for Chickpea Salad
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (any color)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped (optional)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
⏱️ Time: 15 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prep the Salad Goodies
Chop your cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and bell pepper into small, even pieces. Get your fresh parsley and mint ready by chopping them finely. Rinse and drain the canned chickpeas very well.
Step 2: Mix the Dressing
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Whisk it until it’s well combined.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
In a large bowl, put the chickpeas, chopped vegetables, parsley, and mint. Pour the dressing over everything and gently mix until all ingredients are coated. You can serve it right away or chill it for a bit.
📝 Final Note
This salad tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to mix together fully.
Simple Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
This classic Mediterranean salad is so refreshing and easy to make. It features crisp cucumbers and juicy tomatoes with a light dressing.
Key Ingredients & Tips
- Cucumbers: Use English or Persian cucumbers for less watery results and a crisper bite.
- Ripe Tomatoes: Ripe, flavorful tomatoes are key. Cherry or grape tomatoes work wonderfully and look pretty.
- Red Wine Vinegar: A splash of red wine vinegar adds a nice tangy kick to the dressing.
What You Need for Cucumber Tomato Salad
- 2 large cucumbers, diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley or dill, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
⏱️ Time: 10 minutes🍽️ Yields: 4 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Dice the cucumbers and halve the cherry tomatoes. Thinly slice the red onion. Chop your fresh parsley or dill. Put all these prepped vegetables into a large bowl.
Step 2: Make the Simple Dressing
In a small separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Mix it well until it’s combined.
Step 3: Dress and Chill
Pour the dressing over the vegetables in the large bowl. Gently toss everything until it’s well coated. For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving.
📝 Final Note
For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a few crumbled feta cheese pieces right before serving.