I love salads, and this Chickpea Salad with Sauteed Onions and Garlic is a favorite. I’ve made it 2 times in the last 4 weeks. Let’s just say its in heavy rotation. You’re more likely to see a bowl of this salad in my house than to find any of the cakes or cookies I make.
While I post tall, decadent cakes like this Oatmeal Cookie Layer Cake or this Muddy Buddy Filled Chocolate Pinata Cake, and cupcakes slathered in fluffy, buttery frosting topped with fudge and candy like these Snickers Cupcakes and these Grasshopper Cupcakes, that’s definitely not what my family or I eat on a daily basis. If you read my blog regularly, you know that I give 99% of my baked goods away to friends, neighbors, and even my girls’ teachers. They’re happy to receive an occasional treat, and I’m happy only eating one (or maybe 2) helpings of the various treats I make.It’s salads like this Chickpea Salad with Sauteed Onions and Garlic that I make and eat. All the time.
I think what makes this salad so good is that all the flavors go well together. The starchy chickpeas are balanced with sharp and salty feta. The herby parsley and cilantro paired with the acidic and tart lemon juice give the salad a fresh, brightness. And last, but definitely not least, the sauteed red onions and garlic finish the salad with an almost buttery savoriness. Rest assured, there is no butter in the salad, the sauteed bits just give the salad a buttery flavor.
It sounds magical, because it is. Honestly it’s one of the most delicious salads I’ve ever put in my tummy.
I often eat the salad straight out of a bowl. Or sometimes I toss it with some dark leafy greens (like spinach or kale). And on occasion I’ve stuffed it into a pita and sprinkled on some extra feta. I bet there are at least a dozen more ways to eat this Chickpea Salad with Sauteed Onions and Garlic. Make it, and tell me how you eat it!
- 1 medium red onion, chopped fine
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 tbs olive oil
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 2, 14oz cans of chickpeas (I use the organic, unsalted chickpeas sold in boxes at Whole Foods)
- 4 scallions (green onions), chopped (only the green portion)
- 1 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
- 1 cup chopped cilantro
- Juice of 1 1/2 medium lemons
- 8 ounces of feta cheese, crumbled
- salt
- black pepper
- Heat 1 tbs of the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Saute the red onions until they are soft.
- Add the garlic to the pan. Cook until the garlic is fragrant.
- Remove the sauteed onion and garlic from the pan. Set it aside to cool.
- Drain and rinse the chick peas.
- Put the chickpeas in a large bowl.
- Add the feta, scallions, parsley, cilantro, and lemon juice.
- Add the sauteed onions and garlic and the rest of the olive oil.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
This recipe is adapted from Simple Provisions.
This post is linked to these parties.
oh my goodness, healthy and yummy too. I invite you to share at my Thursday blog hop ( you can link up through Sat midnight) Hugs
Thanks so much Katherine! I missed the blog hop, but I’ll definitely check it out 🙂
I have been craving healthy recipes with great flavor since the holidays and this salad jumped off the page for me. Some great things to be eating at this time of year too to keep the immune system healthy. Love it!
Thanks so much Toni! When it gets cold, I try to be a bit more vigilant about what I eat to ward off all the viruses out there in an attempt to stay healthy. This salad is a bonus because it’s so easy, and it tastes better the longer is sits in the fridge!
OMG this is so up my alley! I love recipes like this! I LOVE salads! I can’t wait to try this!
Thanks so much Anna! I love salads too, especially when they’re as easy and delicious as this one 🙂
Yummy! Love chickpeas in salad; I’ve got a feta, avocado and chickpea salad recipe on my blog. Very filling and tasty! Stopping by from I Should Be Mopping the Floor. Would love for you to stop by my baking blog to say hello!
Hi Grace! I also LOVE chickpeas. Avocados and chickpeas sound amazing 🙂
I’m really loving this salad and can’t wait to try it. Found you at Two Cup Tuesday. We host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you’d share your recipe with our readers. http://bit.ly/15FBJpT
Thanks,
Lori
Thanks Lori! I’ll definitely check it out 🙂
Oh my! What a perfect treat, and such beautiful pictures. Glad I stopped by from Love Bakes Good Cakes. Would love for you to stop by my baking blog and say hello! x
Thanks so much Grace! I will definitely stop by. I love discovering new blogs – especially baking ones!
I’ve never had chickpea salad, but I’m looking forward to this recipe! I just printed it and will try it this week!
Thanks for sharing at #InspireMeMondays !
I hope you do give it a try Brandi! I can’t tell you how many messages I’ve gotten from friends who’ve tried the recipe, and LOVE it! I hope you like it just as much 🙂 Let me know who it turns out. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Sounds delicious. Thank you for coming to the Inspire Me Monday Linky party!
Thanks so much Janice! It’s my pleasure contributing to your great link party. Thanks for hosting 🙂
This is a fantastic salad! Healthy, flavor packed and quick. A win. Another great add to my recipe box.
Thanks so much Sherri! I know – I love chickpeas and the sauteed onions and garlic really give it a buttery depth of flavor that’s difficult to find in most salads!
Right out of the bowl. Matter of fact, I keep a fork in the bowl in the fridge. Best damn recipe ever. Some time I change it up a bit with crumbles blue cheese or gorgenzola (sp).
I like the way you think, Lina! I should just keep the fork in the bowl too. That would make it a lot easier, lol! Thanks for taking the time to comment. Readers like you make blogging so worth it! Thanks so much!
Best,
Aida