Easy Cucumber Chickpea Salad with Lime Dressing is a simple, vegan, gluten-free dish with creamy chickpeas, crumbled dairy-free feta, and a memorable, flavor-filled, zesty lime vinaigrette.

Cucumbers are one of those vegetables that many people enjoy. On a veggie tray, the cukes are often the first to go. Fresh cucumbers are even a popular item in the world of beauty, often used to reduce redness and inflammation.

For me, even the scent of cucumbers evoke some of my favorite memories. As the aroma fills the kitchen each time I slice into one, I immediately recall time spent in the garden with my Dad. It never ceases to amaze me that so much of my appreciation for food was planted through the most simple, day to day experiences provided by my parents.

So, as I slice the aromatic cucumbers for this easy cucumber salad with zesty lime vinaigrette dressing, I always give heaven a nod of gratitude for my garden growing Dad and homemaking Momma!

Everything You Need to Make this Easy Cucumber Salad

As you see, Mike and I found a way to include a few chickpeas in this cucumber salad. We love chickpeas, not just for their creamy texture but for the protein and heartiness they add to so many of our favorite vegan and gluten-free salads.  

Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple cucumber chickpea salad, or, cuke salad:

English cucumber or three cups of any cucumber

red onion

cilantro

our dairy-free tofu feta cheese or store-bought vegan feta cheese

one can of chickpeas or home-cooked chickpeas

our tahini dressing with lime or another dressing

How to Make this Cucumber Salad Recipe

A cucumber salad recipe can be as simple as sliced cucumbers marinated in your favorite vinegar and a bit of sweetener. This very simple dressing of the cucumbers is also known as quick pickle.

To take it up a notch, you might add some sliced onion to your quick pickle type of cucumber salad recipe and then season with some salt and pepper. And from there, the possibilities are endless!  

Here’s how to make a cucumber salad, our way, which is hearty enough to call dinner.

The notion that it’s hearty makes it a perfect side dish to share at that next potluck or cookout where otherwise, your meat-eating friends and family might not know what to prepare for you, their plant-eating pal.

And don’t be surprised when they ask for the lime vinaigrette dressing recipe because it’s a real crowd-pleaser!

• First, if you want to skip using store-bought vegan feta, begin preparing this healthy vegan and gluten-free salad recipe by making a delicious batch of our tofu feta cheese and this zesty lime vinaigrette.
• And then, in a large-size bowl, roomy enough to toss the salad, combine the salad ingredients: cucumbers, red onions, cilantro, tofu feta cheese, and chickpeas.
• Next, drizzle the lime dressing over the combined salad ingredients and give everything a gentle toss. Then give it a taste and add salt and black pepper as needed to season your salad to your preference.
• Enjoy this salad immediately or allow this simple cucumber salad to rest in the fridge before serving. Chilling allows the seasoning in the lime vinaigrette dressing recipe to combine with the other ingredients and gain intensity.

How Long Does Cucumber Salad Last?

Since cucumbers are mostly water, their life, once sliced, is relatively short. However, when you use fresh and crisp cucumbers from the start, they’ll hold up pretty well. Also, because this salad marinates in a lovely acidic lime vinaigrette, this cuke salad keeps well fairly well when chilled.

So, store this easy cucumber salad in the fridge in an airtight container, and it should keep well for up to two or three days.

More Faves with Fresh from the Garden Ingredients

To indulge your love of cukes, cuke salad, and other vegetables that are ready to enjoy straight out of the garden, here are eight more recipes you’re sure to enjoy! (Just click the recipe title to get the full recipe.)

Cucumber, Mint & Tomato Salad

Healthy Cucumber Radish Salad with Sprouts

Quick Pickle Cucumber Slices with Fresh Dill

Green Veggie Sandwich with Cucumber, Sprouts & Avocado

Quick-Roasted Potato Tacos with Maple Mustard Sauce

Grapefruit Gin Fizz Cocktail with Rosemary & Cukes

Broccoli Green Detox Salad & Avocado Dressing

Greek Chickpea Pasta Salad

Thanks for Exploring this Deliciously Easy Recipe!

If I could, I’d love to cook something special with each of you. One on one and side by side, we could prepare healthy dishes and share food-related memories and tips.  

For now, though, thank you for reading about the food I’m cooking and for the appreciation you share with Mike and me for doing what we can to bring original recipes and plant-based inspiration your way.

Until next time, stay healthy, laugh, smile, cook good food, and when the opportunity presents itself, share our recipes with those you love the most.

Happy Eating!