Herbed Freekeh Chickpea Grain Salad (Printable Version)
A vibrant Mediterranean grain salad combining nutty freekeh, creamy chickpeas, and fresh herbs with a tangy lemon dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup freekeh (whole or cracked)
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Legumes
04 - 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 small cucumber, diced
07 - 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
→ Herbs
08 - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
→ Dressing
11 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How To Make:
01 - Rinse the freekeh under cold water. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil. Add freekeh, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked freekeh, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and dill.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The smoky, nutty flavor of freekeh makes every bite feel substantial and satisfying, not like rabbit food
- It actually tastes better after a day in the fridge, making it your new best friend for meal prep
02 -
- Freekeh holds onto heat like nobody's business, so cooling it completely before mixing is nonnegotiable
- The grain keeps absorbing dressing as it sits, so you might want to make extra if eating leftovers
03 -
- Buy freekeh from Middle Eastern markets where it moves faster and tastes fresher
- Chop your herbs by hand instead of using a food processor to avoid bruising them