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Instant Pot Chickpea Salad with Lemon, Feta, and Fresh Dill

This vibrant Instant Pot chickpea salad is a refreshing vegetarian dish that celebrates bright, Mediterranean flavours. By cooking the dried chickpeas from scratch in a pressure cooker, you achieve a superior texture and nutty flavour that shop-bought tins simply cannot match. The combination of crisp cucumber, salty feta cheese and a generous amount of fresh dill creates a beautifully balanced salad that feels both light and satisfying.

Ideal for meal prep or a healthy weekday lunch, this protein-rich salad can be enjoyed at room temperature or served chilled from the fridge. It makes a wonderful accompaniment to grilled meats or can be served as a standalone main. For a twist, try stuffing the mixture into toasted pita breads with a dollop of Greek yoghurt for a simple and nutritious supper.

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Ingredients for Instant Pot Chickpea Salad with Lemon, Feta, and Fresh Dill

  • 240ml dried chickpeas, rinsed, drained, and picked over to remove debris

  • 1/2 teaspoons salt

  • 1450ml water

  • 60ml extra-virgin olive oil

  • Freshly squeezed juice of 1 large lemon

  • 1 teaspoon honey

  • Pinch of salt

  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 medium English cucumber, peeled, quartered, and sliced 1/4 inch thick

  • 120g diced feta cheese (about 110g )

  • 2 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas

  • 1 large bunch fresh dill (about 60g ), large stems removed, fronds finely chopped

Place the chickpeas, salt, and water in the inner pot. Close and lock the lid. Set the valve to Sealing. Press Manual or Pressure Cook and use the Pressure or Pressure Level button to select High Pressure. Use the – or + button to set the time to 35 minutes.

When the cooking cycle ends, press Cancel. Allow the appliance to cool and release pressure naturally, about 25 minutes. (The pressure is released when the small metal float valve next to the pressure-release valve sinks back into the lid and the lid is no longer locked.)

Remove the lid. Wearing oven mitts, remove the inner pot (be careful—it’s hot!) and drain the chickpeas through a colander.

Chickpeas will keep, in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Make the dressing: Place the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a Mason jar with a lid (or an airtight container) and shake to combine.

Place the cucumber, feta, chickpeas, and dill in a large bowl and toss to combine. Pour the dressing over the salad and then toss the salad to distribute the dressing. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Chickpeas with Lemon, Feta, and Fresh Dill will keep, in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 2 days. Serve leftovers chilled.

Make them crispy and crunchy: Toss cooked chickpeas with olive oil, salt, and pepper. (Add garlic powder, ground cumin, or curry powder for a twist.) Place them on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a preheated 232°C oven, shaking the pan occasionally, until browned, about 30 minutes.

Red Pepper Chickpeas: Toss cooked chickpeas with chopped red pepper, olive oil, and salt and pepper for a brightly coloured, fresh-tasting salad.

Chicken Chickpea Pizza: Place equal parts lightly mashed cooked chickpeas and whole chickpeas on a raw pizza crust, drizzled generously with extra-virgin olive oil, and bake the pizza as normal. Just before the pizza is finished. Remove it from the oven and top with diced cooked chicken breast and crumbled feta cheese and then cook until the chicken and feta are warm.

Chickpea Salad Spread: Coarsely mash cooked chickpeas with mayonnaise and diced celery. Use as a stand-in for tuna in a sandwich.

Greek-Salad Chickpeas: Tossed with olive oil and lemon juice, cooked chickpeas can be tucked into a pita with Greek yoghurt, chopped tomatoes, and fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley. Sprinkle with ground cumin or smoked paprika.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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