This absolutely drool-worthy Olive Salad recipe is one of our favorite side dishes and snacks! It’s a perfect blend of flavors and textures and is packed full of fresh ingredients topped with a tangy, aromatic dressing, There’s no way any olive-lover will be able to turn down this delectable dish!
What is Olive Salad?
This olive salad is a vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s as delicious as it is nutritious. It’s an amazing medley of hearty chickpeas, tangy olives, and fresh vegetables, all brought together by a zesty, aromatic dressing. The combination of juicy tomatoes, crunchy red pepper, and a hint of jalapeño provides an absolute symphony of flavors and textures, while fresh herbs like parsley and mint add a refreshing touch.
The dressing, made with rich olive oil, lemon juice, and a blend of sumac and za’atar, infuses the salad with a fun and flavorful twist. We love this olive salad because it’s not only bursting with bold, bright flavors but it’s also packed with wholesome ingredients that make it a satisfying and healthy choice for any meal.
Ingredients You Need
- Chickpeas – Chickpeas add a hearty, protein-packed base to our olive salad, making it both filling and nutritious! Be sure to drain and rinse them.
- Kalamata Olives – Kalamata olives bring a rich, briny flavor that gives our salad the perfect Mediterranean twist. Make sure they’re pitted!
- Green Olives – Green olives add a nice contrast with their slightly tangy and savory taste, balancing the flavors perfectly. Don’t forget to ensure these are pitted, too.
- Red Pepper – Red pepper adds a burst of color and a sweet crunch that brightens up every bite.
- Tomato – Juicy, ripe tomatoes lend a fresh, summery flavor that makes the salad oh-so-refreshing.
- Red Onion – Soaking red onion in water mellows its sharpness, adding just the right amount of zing without overpowering the salad.
- Jalapeño – A touch of jalapeño brings a hint of heat, adding a little kick to our dish. Be sure to discard the seeds and chop it finely.
- Parsley – Fresh parsley adds a pop of green and a herby brightness that ties all the flavors together.
- Mint – Mint gives the salad a cool and refreshing flavor.
Dressing
- Olive Oil – Olive oil is the rich, silky base for our dressing, bringing all the ingredients together with its luscious texture and flavor.
- Juice Of Lemon – A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a zesty tang that brightens up the entire salad.
- Salt – A pinch of salt enhances all the natural flavors, making each ingredient pop.
- Pepper – Just the right amount of pepper adds a subtle kick and depth to our salad.
- Sumac – Sumac lends a unique, tangy, and slightly citrusy flavor that gives our salad a unique twist.
- Za’atar – Za’atar brings in an aromatic blend of herbs and spices, infusing our salad with authentic Middle Eastern flair.
- Garlic Clove – Minced garlic adds a punch of savory goodness, making every bite irresistibly flavorful.
How to Make This Super-Easy Olive Salad Recipe
- Combine Salad. Add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl and toss until combined.
- Make the Dressing. Pour all of the dressing ingredients into a small bowl and stir.
- Bring Together. Add the dressing to the salad mixture and stir to coat.
- Refrigerate. Chill the dressed salad in the fridge for at least half an hour before serving.
Variations
- Beans – Instead of chickpeas, try using other beans like cannellini beans or black beans for a different texture and flavor.
- Different Olive Types – Experiment with various olive varieties such as Castelvetrano, Niçoise, or Cerignola for unique taste profiles.
- Citrus – Swap lemon juice for lime or orange juice to add a different citrusy zing to the dressing.
- Spice it Up – Enhance the dressing with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Herbs – Incorporate different fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or cilantro along with or instead of parsley and mint for varied herbal notes.
- Veggies – Mix in additional veggies like cucumber, avocado, or artichoke hearts to add extra freshness and crunch.
- Nuttiness – Add toasted pine nuts, almonds, or walnuts for a nutty flavor and satisfying crunch.
- Cheese – Sprinkle crumbled feta, goat cheese, or Parmesan on top for a creamy, salty addition to the salad.
- Sweetness – For a hint of sweet flavor, toss in some diced mango, pomegranate seeds, or dried cranberries.
- Protein – While we’ve already included some plant-based protein, you can also incorporate grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
Can I Store Leftovers?
This simple salad is so easy to store and you don’t have to deal with any sogginess!
Refrigerator – Store this salad in an airtight container for 3-5 days so you can snack on it all week or serve it alongside other dishes.
Freezer – While you likely can freeze this dish we don’t recommend it. Most of the ingredients will not retain their original texture once thawed.
More Mediterranean-Style Recipes
Want more mouthwatering Mediterranean dishes to amp up your meal-planning or side dish game? You’re in luck! Here are a few of our favorites.
Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Meatballs
Easy Olive Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Olive Salad:
- 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives pitted
- 1/2 cup Manzanilla green olives pitted
- 1/2 red pepper diced
- 1 medium roma tomato diced
- 1/2 medium red onion thinly sliced (soaked in water)
- 1 jalapeño seeded and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped mint
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 1 teaspoon za’atar
- 1 garlic clove minced
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, Kalamata olives, green olives, diced red pepper, diced tomato, soaked red onion, chopped jalapeño, chopped parsley, and chopped mint.1 can chickpeas, 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, 1/2 cup Manzanilla green olives, 1/2 red pepper, 1 medium roma tomato, 1/2 medium red onion, 1 jalapeño, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 cup chopped mint
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, sumac, za’atar, and minced garlic to create the dressing.1/2 cup olive oil, Juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon sumac, 1 teaspoon za’atar, 1 garlic clove
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss well to coat everything evenly.
- Let the salad marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.