5.0 from 210 votes
Balela Salad
This festive and wholesome Balela Salad is a Middle Eastern favorite! Filled with tons of nutrition from chickpeas and chopped veggies. And packs lots of flavor from fresh herbs, a zesty dressing, and Mediterranean favorites like olives and sun-dried tomatoes. A must-try!
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 6 to 7 servings
Calories: 3028 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
Middle Eastern
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 3 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (or 2 15-ounce cans chickpeas), drained and rinsed
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved if you’d like (or you can leave them whole)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 3-5 green onions, chopped (both white and green parts)
- 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup pitted green olives
- 1/2 cup Chopped Parsley Leaves
- 1/2 cup chopped mint or basil leaves
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- kosher salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Mix the salad. In a large bowl, mix the chickpeas, bell pepper, jalapeno (if using), tomatoes, green onion, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and herbs.
- Make the dressing. In a separate bowl or jar, add the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, sumac, Aleppo pepper, and red pepper (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste and whisk to combine.
- Dress. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and mix gently to coat. Ideally, leave aside for 30 minutes before serving, or cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
- Serve. When ready to serve, give the salad a quick mix and taste to adjust seasoning if at all needed. Enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including
- olive oils
- ,
- honey
- ,
- jams
- , and
- spices
- .
- Turn your babela into a meal! This wholesome, nutrition-packed salad can easily be turned into a meal. Serve it in warm pita pockets with a drizzle of tahini. Or add it to an impressive vegetarian mezze platter with baba ganoush and roasted red pepper hummus.
- Recommended for this recipe: Early Harvest Greek extra virgin olive oil (from organically grown and processed Koroneiki olives). And from our all-natural spice collection: Sumac and Aleppo Pepper.
- Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils, honey, jams, and spices.
Nutrition Information
Calories
302.8kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
36.8g
(12%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
1.9g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2.4g
Monounsaturated Fat
8.7g
Sodium
234.5mg
(10%)
Potassium
848.3mg
(24%)
Fiber
10.5g
(42%)
Sugar
10.4g
(21%)
Vitamin A
1451.3IU
(29%)
Vitamin C
35.2mg
(39%)
Calcium
94mg
(9%)
Iron
4.6mg
(26%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6to 7 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 3028
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 302.8kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 36.8g | 12% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 1.9g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.4g | 14% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8.7g | 44% |
| Sodium | 234.5mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 848.3mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 10.5g | 42% |
| Sugar | 10.4g | 21% |
| Vitamin A | 1451.3IU | 29% |
| Vitamin C | 35.2mg | 39% |
| Calcium | 94mg | 9% |
| Iron | 4.6mg | 26% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.