This shiny, refreshing Mediterranean salad is the proper hearty facet dish or mild lunch for summer season. Candy corn and garbanzo beans are deliciously seasoned and roasted, then tossed with crisp romaine, recent tomatoes, olives, and feta—all with an unbeatable zingy lemon dressing.
You may also wish to see a few of my different standard salad creations! Take a look at this tasty Roasted Vegetable Salad for a scrumptious mixture of seasonal veggies. Or get pleasure from my Tex Mex Rooster Salad, a zesty and hearty possibility brimming with daring flavors.
I’m excited to share this with you! It’s important to do that Mediterranean salad—it’s an actual gem in my summer season lineup! We’ve received candy corn and hearty garbanzo beans seasoned with simply the appropriate contact of salt, pepper, and thyme, then roasted to deliver out their candy and earthy flavors. They’re tossed with crisp romaine, recent tomatoes, and buttery black olives, all wearing a easy, zesty lemon French dressing. Each chunk is sort of a mini getaway to the Mediterranean, a deal with you completely deserve!
For a extra substantial lunch, toss in some shredded rooster thighs or sliced churrasco steak to make it a full meal!
Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Salad Recipe
- Candy and savory magic. That is primarily a savory salad however I like the best way the corn is available in and sweetens up all of the issues.
- Brilliant and refreshing. Probably the greatest elements of this salad is the zingy lemon dressing. It brings a shiny, liveliness to the salad that I can’t get sufficient of.
- A meal in and of itself. Between the feta and the garbanzo beans, this salad has sufficient protein to make it a correct lunch or dinner salad all by itself. Should you’d like so as to add a little bit of rooster and/or serve it with a hunk o’ crusty bread, go for it.
What You’ll Want
Time to go to the shop. Right here’s what you’ll have to make this Mediterranean salad recipe. You should definitely scroll to the recipe card beneath for precise measurements.
For the roasted candy corn
- Olive oil – Used to toss the chickpeas and corn in order that they’re properly coated for roasting.
- Florida Candy Corn kernels – You need to use a distinct candy corn for those who’d like, however Florida candy corn actually simply takes the cake for me. It’s so candy and tender.
- Canned garbanzo beans – Be sure to rinse them properly!
- Herbs and seasoning – Kosher salt, floor black pepper, recent thyme (simply the leaves), and pink pepper flakes. You would miss the pepper flakes or toss in paprika and even chili powder, as a substitute.
To make the salad
- Veggies – I went with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and pink onion. Be happy to make use of a distinct lettuce and/or add some additional veggies. Cucumbers could be enjoyable.
- Black pitted olives – Pitted inexperienced olives or kalamata olives would additionally go properly right here.
- Crumbled feta cheese – Should you’d like to make use of crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese as a substitute, you’ll be able to. Grated parmesan or pecorino would additionally work.
For the lemon French dressing
- Lemon juice – I actually recommend utilizing freshly squeezed lemon juice (you’ll solely want ~1 juicy lemon). The flavour is so a lot better than the stuff from the bottle.
- Olive oil – I like utilizing younger olive oil for this recipe. They’re typically spicier and extra flavorful.
- Salt and black pepper – To reinforce the flavors.
How To Make Mediterranean Salad
Right here’s a fast overview of tips on how to create this vibrant summer season salad filled with textures and flavors!
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 450°F, line a baking sheet with foil, and grease it with cooking spray.
- Season and roast. Toss collectively the olive oil, corn, beans, salt, pepper, thyme, and pink pepper flakes and unfold it over the ready baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring a few times. Take away from oven and let cool.
- Assemble the salad. Toss collectively the lettuce, tomatoes, olives, pink onions, feta cheese, and cooled garbanzo bean combination.
- Gown the salad. Whisk collectively lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper, pour it over the salad, and toss.
Suggestions & Variations
- Hold issues shifting. Because the corn and chickpeas roast, give them a stir a number of occasions for even cooking. You need every kernel and bean to end up golden brown however not burnt.
- Cool. Earlier than including the roasted garbanzo bean combination to the salad, permit it to chill fully. It would wilt the lettuce if it’s heat.
- Use recent lemon juice. It may be tempting to take the simple manner out and use bottled lemon juice, however I extremely encourage you to squeeze your personal. The flavour will probably be a lot extra vibrant.
- Serve instantly. This salad is finest served simply after tossing. In any other case the romaine will lose its crunch.
- Add extra veggies. I’ll typically add roasted bell peppers, sliced cucumbers, or carrots to this salad. Be happy to get inventive and toss in your favorites.
- Introduce some additional protein. Whereas the chickpeas and feta have some protein in them, you might be greater than welcome so as to add a bit or roasted rooster or steak for a extra filling meal. Vegetarian? Take into account roasted tofu or double down on the feta.
- Attempt a distinct dressing. Should you’re not terribly eager on lemon, you possibly can use a distinct dressing. My Italian Dressing or this creamy Ranch could be good. Should you’re in a rush, a store-bought dressing will work as properly.
Serving Solutions
A Mediterranean salad is an excellent possibility for a light-weight lunch or dinner. I’ll typically serve mine with a hunk of crusty Skillet Bread or Lavash Bread. Should you’re trying to bulk up the meal a bit, contemplate serving it alongside these rooster skewers. You would additionally slice up some New York strip and serve it on high.
Should you’re in a comfortable temper, this salad pairs fantastically with a bowl of warming soup. My Cream of Zucchini Soup or this White Bean Soup could be excellent.
Correct Storage
Retailer any leftover salad within the fridge for as much as 3 days. The lettuce will get soggy because it sits, so it’s finest to get pleasure from it sooner reasonably than later.
To keep away from soggy romaine, retailer the assorted parts of the salad in separate hermetic containers—the roasted garbanzo bean combination in a single, and the dressing in one other. The lettuce, tomatoes, olives, onion, and feta may be pulled collectively as soon as you might be able to serve.
I don’t advocate freezing any a part of this salad except for the roasted garbanzo combination. You’ll be able to seal that in an hermetic container and retailer it within the freezer for as much as 3 months.
Extra Simple Salad Recipes
Summer season is coming, and, to me, which means salad season. Listed below are another straightforward salad recipes to get you excited:
For the Roasted Corn and Garbanzo Beans
For the Lemon French dressing
Preheat the oven to 450˚F.
Line a baking sheet with foil and frivolously grease the foil with cooking spray; put aside.
In a big bowl, mix the olive oil, corn, beans, salt, pepper, thyme, and pepper flakes; combine till properly mixed.
Switch the corn combination to the ready baking sheet and unfold it out in a single layer. Roast for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring a few times, till frivolously browned and crispy.
Take away from oven and let cool.
Within the meantime, in a big salad bowl add the lettuce, tomatoes, olives, pink onions, and feta cheese. Gently combine within the cooled corn and garbanzo beans combination.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk collectively lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the salad. Give it a style and regulate for salt and pepper.
Serve.
Serving: 10 ounces | Energy: 363 kcal | Carbohydrates: 25 g | Protein: 10 g | Fats: 27 g | Saturated Fats: 6 g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 3 g | Monounsaturated Fats: 16 g | Ldl cholesterol: 22 mg | Sodium: 956 mg | Potassium: 421 mg | Fiber: 7 g | Sugar: 5 g | Vitamin A: 3423 IU | Vitamin C: 14 mg | Calcium: 184 mg | Iron: 2 mg
Dietary information is an estimate and offered as courtesy. Values could fluctuate in keeping with the substances and instruments used. Please use your most well-liked dietary calculator for extra detailed information.