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Chickpea and Green Bean Salad with Lemon Olive Oil Dressing

Chickpea and Green Bean Salad with Lemon Olive Oil Dressing is a refreshing and nutritious dish that’s perfect for any meal. This salad combines the goodness of chickpeas and green beans with a zesty dressing, making it a delightful choice for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish.

Why Make This Recipe

This recipe is not only easy to prepare but also filled with healthy ingredients. Chickpeas are a great source of protein and fiber, while green beans add a crunchy texture and vitamins. The lemon olive oil dressing brings everything together with a bright, tangy flavor. Plus, it is versatile and can be served on its own or as a complement to various main dishes.

How to Make Chickpea and Green Bean Salad with Lemon Olive Oil Dressing

Ingredients

1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 pound green beans, trimmed
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Prepare the Green Beans: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Drain the green beans and immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain the green beans again and pat them dry.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the drained chickpeas, blanched green beans, sliced red onion, and chopped fresh parsley.
Dress the Salad: Pour the lemon olive oil dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Add Feta (Optional): If desired, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the salad.
Serve: Serve the chickpea and green bean salad immediately or chill in the refrigerator for later. The flavors will meld together as it sits.

How to Serve Chickpea and Green Bean Salad

You can serve this salad on its own as a light meal or alongside grilled chicken, fish, or burgers. It makes a great addition to picnics and potlucks.

How to Store Chickpea and Green Bean Salad

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad can be kept for up to 3 days. If you have added feta cheese, it may become soggy over time, so it’s best to add it just before serving.

Tips to Make Chickpea and Green Bean Salad

Make the salad in advance to let the flavors develop. Just wait to add the feta until you’re ready to serve.
Feel free to add other veggies like cherry tomatoes or bell peppers for more color and flavor.
Adjust the dressing ingredients according to your taste, adding more lemon juice for extra tang if you like.

Variation

You can switch out the chickpeas for black beans for a different flavor. You can also use other herbs like basil or mint instead of parsley for a new twist.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen green beans for this recipe?
Yes, frozen green beans can be used. Just follow the package instructions for blanching.

2. What if I don’t have lemon juice?
You can substitute lemon juice with vinegar, like apple cider or red wine vinegar, for a different tangy flavor.

3. Is this salad vegan?
Yes, if you omit the feta cheese, this salad is completely vegan!