Tzatziki Chickpea Salad

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ELIZABETH

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Tzatziki chickpea salad with cucumbers, dill and lemon in a white bowl with a serving spoon

This tzatziki chickpea salad is fresh, creamy, and packed with bright Mediterranean flavors.

It’s made with crisp cucumbers, protein-rich chickpeas, and a tangy yogurt dressing with lemon, garlic, and herbs. The result is a light but satisfying dish that works as a quick lunch, a nourishing side, or an easy meal prep option for the week.

If you love anything with tzatziki, this is one of those recipes you’ll keep coming back to.

Whisk 1 cup of Greek yogurt with a grated garlic clove, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 teaspoons of honey and the juice of half a lemon. Toss it with 1 pound of chopped Persian cucumbers, 2 cans of chickpeas, fresh dill, mint and scallions, then squeeze the other lemon half over the top. There’s no cooking, it takes about 15 minutes, and it serves 4 to 6.

What You’ll Love About Tzatziki Chickpea Salad

  • Fresh and flavorful: Loaded with herbs, lemon, and crisp cucumber
  • Protein-rich: Chickpeas make it satisfying and balanced. Don’t like chickpeas? Swap in a white bean of your choice.
  • Quick to make: Comes together in about 15 minutes
  • Meal prep friendly: Holds up well in the fridge for up to 3 days
  • Versatile: Serve as a side, salad, or light meal
Sliced cucumbers, chickpeas, chopped dill and scallions in a bowl before tossing with tzatziki dressing

Ingredients for Tzatziki Chickpea Salad

  • Greek yogurt: creamy base for the dressing
  • Garlic: adds depth and flavor
  • Olive oil: richness and balance
  • Honey: a touch of natural sweetness
  • Lemon: brightens everything
  • Salt and pepper: to taste
  • Persian cucumbers: crisp and refreshing
  • Chickpeas: protein-rich and hearty
  • Fresh dill: classic tzatziki flavor
  • Fresh mint: adds brightness
  • Scallions: mild onion flavor

See the printable recipe card for the full list of ingredients

Close-up of chickpeas, cucumber and fresh herbs coated in creamy yogurt dressing

How to Make Tzatziki Chickpea Salad

  1. Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, garlic, olive oil, honey, and juice of ½ lemon until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a splash of water or a little more lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Add the salad ingredients: Add the cucumbers, chickpeas, dill, mint, and scallions to the bowl. Squeeze the remaining ½ lemon over the top.
  3. Toss and adjust: Toss everything together until well coated. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  4. Serve: Drizzle with a little olive oil before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

  • Let it sit for more flavor: This salad gets even better after sitting for about 30 minutes as the flavors meld together.
  • Use full-fat yogurt for best texture: It creates a creamier, more satisfying dressing.
  • Make it dairy-free: Use a dairy-free yogurt alternative for a similar creamy texture.
  • Add extra protein: Grilled chicken or salmon pairs beautifully if you want to turn this into a more substantial meal.
  • Add crunch: Try diced bell peppers or a sprinkle of toasted nuts for extra texture.
  • Serve it different ways: Spoon into pita, serve over greens, or enjoy it as a side with grilled meats or fish.

Tzatziki Chickpea Salad FAQs

Can I make tzatziki chickpea salad ahead of time?

It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, which makes it a great lunch to prep on Sunday. The cucumbers release a little water as it sits, so give it a stir and add a fresh squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of herbs before serving.

What kind of cucumber is best?

Persian cucumbers are my pick because they’re crunchy, thin-skinned and not very seedy, so you don’t need to peel them. An English cucumber works well too. If you only have a regular cucumber, scoop out the seeds first so the salad doesn’t get watery.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Swap the Greek yogurt for a plain, unsweetened dairy-free yogurt. A thicker one gives you the creamiest dressing, and everything else stays the same.

What goes with tzatziki chickpea salad?

It’s great on its own, but I love it next to my Greek Chicken Meatballs or Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon. You can also spoon it into warm pita or over a bed of greens.

Love chickpea salads? Try my Mediterranean Chickpea Salad next. And for another herby Greek side with dill and mint, try my Greek Lettuce Salad (Maroulosalata) or my Cucumber Mint Salad.

If you love this recipe, you’ll find more in my roundup of chickpea recipes.

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Tzatziki Chickpea Salad

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  • Author: Elizabeth Rider
  • Prep Time: 15 Minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings

Description

This tzatziki chickpea salad is bright, creamy, and packed with fresh flavor. Made with crisp cucumbers, protein-rich chickpeas, and a tangy yogurt dressing with herbs, it’s the perfect no-cook meal for warm days, easy lunches, or simple meal prep.


Ingredients

Units
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound Persian cucumbers, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, grated garlic, olive oil, honey, and juice of ½ lemon until smooth. If the dressing is too thick, add a little more lemon juice to loosen. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Assemble the salad: Add the cucumbers, chickpeas, dill, mint, and scallions to the bowl. Squeeze the remaining ½ lemon over the top.
  3. Toss and season: Toss everything together until well coated. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  4. Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle with a little olive oil. Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Best served slightly chilled, not straight from the fridge for the best flavor.
  • Keeps well for up to 3 days, so it’s great for meal prep.
  • Refresh leftovers with an extra squeeze of lemon or sprinkle of fresh herbs before serving.

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About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Rider has spent 15+ years writing the healthy recipes at ElizabethRider.com, all built on one idea: you should only eat food you love. She's a certified holistic health coach (Institute for Integrative Nutrition) with a Plant-Based Nutrition certification from Cornell, the author of The Health Habit, and the founder of the Butler app. Her Friday 5 newsletter reaches 60,000+ readers every week, and millions of people watch her cooking videos on YouTube. Get the Friday 5 👇

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