Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Turkey and Chickpea Bowl

• It’s a complete, balanced meal. You get lean protein from the turkey, fibre and plant-based protein from the chickpeas, and a whole host of vitamins from the fresh veggies. There’s no need to make a side dish—everything you need is right here.
• The flavours are incredibly vibrant and fresh. With a mix of fresh herbs, lemon, garlic, and a creamy tahini dressing, every single bite is bursting with that classic Mediterranean zing. It’s far from boring.
• It’s perfect for meal prep. All the components store beautifully for 3-4 days in the fridge. You can assemble the bowls ahead of time or keep everything separate and build your bowl fresh each day for lunch.
• You have total control over the texture. Love a bit of crunch? Add extra cucumber. Prefer it warm? Heat the turkey and chickpeas together. It’s a recipe that invites you to make it your own.

Ingredients & Tools

• 500 g lean ground turkey
• 1 can (400 g) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 250 g cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 red onion, finely diced
• 1 large bell pepper (any colour), diced
• 50 g pitted Kalamata olives, halved
• 100 g feta cheese, crumbled
• A large handful of fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• For the Tahini Dressing: 3 tbsp tahini, 3 tbsp water, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 small garlic clove (minced), Salt to taste

Tools: A large skillet, a medium mixing bowl, a small bowl or jar for the dressing.

The beauty of this recipe is in the quality of its simple ingredients. Using fresh, in-season vegetables will make the biggest difference in flavour. And don’t skip the fresh herbs—they provide that essential burst of freshness that ties the whole bowl together.

Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Get your veggies prepped first. This is a fast-moving recipe once you start cooking the turkey. Having all your vegetables chopped and ready to go makes the assembly process smooth and stress-free.
• Don’t be shy with the seasoning on the turkey. Ground turkey can be a bit bland on its own, so this is your chance to really build a flavour base. The oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper are essential for creating a savoury, aromatic protein.
• Rinse those chickpeas! Always give your canned chickpeas a good rinse under cold water. This washes away the excess sodium and that starchy liquid they’re packed in, leaving you with a cleaner taste and better texture.
• Your tahini dressing is too thick? Don’t worry! Tahini has a mind of its own. If your dressing is pasty after mixing, just add a teaspoon of warm water at a time, whisking well after each addition, until it reaches a lovely, drizzling consistency.

How to Make Mediterranean Turkey and Chickpea Bowl

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• Warm pita bread or flatbreads — Perfect for scooping up every last bit of the turkey, chickpeas, and dressing. Toasting them lightly adds a lovely smoky flavour.
• A simple lemon and herb rice pilaf — If you’re serving a crowd and want to stretch the meal, a bed of fluffy rice underneath the bowl components works beautifully.
• Grilled halloumi slices — For an extra indulgent touch, add a few slices of pan-fried or grilled halloumi cheese on top. The salty, squeaky texture is a fantastic addition.

Drinks

• A crisp, dry rosé — The berry notes and acidity in a good rosé complement the Mediterranean flavours without overpowering them.
• Sparkling water with lemon and mint — A non-alcoholic option that mirrors the fresh, zesty notes in the bowl itself. It’s incredibly refreshing.
• A light lager or pale ale — The carbonation and slight bitterness cut through the richness of the tahini and feta cheese beautifully.

Something Sweet

• Baklava — The honey, nuts, and flaky pastry are a classic Mediterranean dessert that provides a sweet and satisfying end to the meal.
• Lemon sorbet — A scoop of tangy, clean lemon sorbet is the perfect palate cleanser and feels light after a hearty bowl.
• Greek yogurt with honey and walnuts — It’s simple, quick, and continues the theme of the meal with its creamy texture and subtle sweetness.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Overcooking the ground turkey. Lean turkey can become dry and rubbery if cooked for too long. Cook it just until there’s no pink left and then promptly mix in the chickpeas to stop the cooking process.
• Mistake: Skipping the step of toasting the spices. When you add the oregano and paprika to the turkey while it’s cooking, you’re “blooming” the spices in the oil. This simple step unlocks their full, deep flavour. Don’t just add them at the end!
• Mistake: Not tasting the dressing as you go. The potency of lemons and garlic can vary. Taste your tahini dressing and adjust it. Does it need more salt? A bit more zing from lemon? Make it perfect for your palate.
• Mistake: Adding the feta cheese to the hot skillet. Feta is best added as a cold, crumbled topping at the very end. If you mix it into the hot turkey, it will melt and disappear rather than providing those lovely salty pockets.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Make a double batch of the tahini dressing. It keeps well in the fridge for up to a week and is fantastic on salads, grilled vegetables, or as a dip. You’ll thank yourself later.
• Tip: Let the turkey get a little crispy. Once the turkey is broken up, resist the urge to stir it constantly. Let it sit for a minute or two in the hot pan to develop some delicious browned, crispy bits for extra texture.
• Tip: Add a grain base for a heartier bowl. While this recipe is great as-is, spooning it over a base of quinoa, couscous, or farro makes it even more filling and is a great way to use up leftover grains.
• Tip: Massage your onions (optional hack!). If raw red onion is a bit too sharp for you, place the diced onion in a bowl, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and squeeze it with your hands for 30 seconds. This softens its bite significantly.

FAQs

Can I make this bowl vegetarian?
Absolutely! It’s an easy swap. Simply omit the ground turkey and double the amount of chickpeas. You could even add another can of a different bean, like cannellini beans, for variety. To add more savoury depth, try sautéing the chickpeas with the spices and a tablespoon of tomato paste for a minute before assembling the bowl. The result is a equally satisfying and protein-packed vegetarian meal.

How long do the leftovers keep?
The components will keep separately in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. I actually think the flavours meld together even more beautifully after a day! If you’ve pre-assembled the bowls with the dressing, the fresh veggies might soften a bit, but it will still taste great. The turkey and chickpeas reheat well in the microwave or a skillet.

My tahini dressing is bitter. What happened?
This can sometimes happen with certain brands of tahini. The best way to counteract bitterness is with acidity and sweetness. Add an extra squeeze of lemon juice first. If it’s still too bitter, a tiny pinch of sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup (about 1/4 teaspoon) can balance it out perfectly without making the dressing sweet.

Can I use ground chicken or beef instead?
Of course! Ground chicken will work almost identically to turkey. If using ground beef, just be aware that it might release more fat. You can drain off any excess fat after browning it before adding the chickpeas. The flavour will be richer and more robust, but still delicious with the Mediterranean seasonings.

Is there a substitute for tahini?
Tahini is pretty key for that authentic flavour, but if you’re in a pinch, you could try a thick, full-fat Greek yogurt mixed with a little lemon juice and garlic. The consistency and flavour will be different—more tangy and creamy than nutty—but it will still be a delicious dressing for your bowl.