Description
This Italian Chickpea Salad is a vibrant, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish combining protein-rich chickpeas, savory salami, creamy provolone cheese, and tangy vegetables all tossed in a zesty red wine vinegar and garlic dressing. Perfect as a refreshing lunch or a side salad, it can be served chilled or at room temperature and stores well for quick meals.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 4 ounces provolone cheese, cut into small cubes (about 1 ½ cups)
- 4 ounces salami, cut into small cubes (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 cup medium black olives, cut in half
- ¾ cup chopped roasted red bell pepper
- ¾ cup chopped pepperoncini
- ⅓ cup slivered red onion
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 plump garlic clove, pressed or finely minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the chickpeas, provolone cheese cubes, salami cubes, halved black olives, chopped roasted red bell pepper, chopped pepperoncini, and slivered red onion. Stir gently to mix all the salad components evenly.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, pressed or minced garlic, dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the dressing is thoroughly combined and slightly emulsified.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the bowl of salad ingredients. Toss everything well to ensure that all pieces are coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and add more salt, black pepper, or oregano as desired to suit your preference.
- Serve and Store: Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature. For best flavor, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Stir before serving if stored.
Notes
- This salad is best served chilled but can be enjoyed at room temperature.
- You can substitute salami with other cured meats like pepperoni or omit for a vegetarian version.
- Make sure to rinse chickpeas well to reduce sodium content from canned beans.
- Adding fresh herbs like parsley can brighten the flavor.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
