July 12, 2026 · 5 min

Mediterranean Za’Atar Salmon Salad with Cilantro Yogurt Dressing

Lunch5 min1111 cal / serving

This vibrant Mediterranean bowl brings together golden za’atar-spiced chickpeas, crisp cucumbers, bell peppers and fresh lettuce, all topped with flaky salmon and briny olives. The tangy cilantro yogurt dressing ties everything together with a refreshing kick.

Ready in just 20 minutes, this protein-packed meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

Recipe details

Lunch5 min1111 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories1111 kcalProtein39 gFat85 gCarbs50.8 gSugar15 gFiber8.6 gSodium1516 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: yesLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: not detectedMilk / dairy: containsEgg: containsFish: containsShellfish: not detectedPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: not detectedSoy: not detectedSesame: containsMustard: not detectedCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.

Ingredients

Baby Lettuce1 unit Baby LettuceView ingredient guide
Chickpeas1 unit ChickpeasView ingredient guide
Mint0.25 ounce MintView ingredient guide
Lemon1 unit LemonView ingredient guide
Greek Vinaigrette1.5 ounce Greek VinaigretteView ingredient guide
Yogurt4 tablespoon YogurtView ingredient guide
Mini Cucumber2 unit Mini CucumberView ingredient guide
Bell Pepper1 unit Bell PepperView ingredient guide
Garlic Powder1 teaspoon Garlic PowderView ingredient guide
Cilantro0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guide
Green Olives1 unit Green OlivesView ingredient guide
Salmon10 ounce SalmonView ingredient guide
Za'atar Spice1 tablespoon Za'atar SpiceView ingredient guide
Cooking Oil1 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guide
Saltteaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guide
Black Pepperteaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then pat them very dry with paper towels. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chickpeas and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 3-4 minutes. Stir in the za’atar spice, garlic powder, salt and pepper until well combined. Remove from heat and transfer to a plate. Wipe out the pan.
  2. While the chickpeas cook, wash and dry the produce. Finely chop the cilantro. Quarter the lemon. Trim and discard the root end from the lettuce; chop the leaves into bite-size pieces. Trim and dice the cucumbers into ½-inch pieces. Core, deseed and dice the bell pepper into ½-inch pieces. Roughly chop the olives. Finely chop the mint.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the cilantro, Greek vinaigrette, yogurt, 1 tablespoon water and the juice from one lemon wedge. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, cucumbers and bell pepper with as much dressing as you like. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the salad between bowls, then top with the chickpeas and olives. Garnish with mint and serve with remaining lemon wedges on the side.

Recipe Tips

For extra crispy chickpeas, make sure they are thoroughly dried before cooking.

Feel free to swap the salmon for grilled chicken or tofu for a different protein option.

The cilantro yogurt dressing can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

FAQ

Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?

Yes, but you’ll need to cook them first. Use about 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas for this recipe.

What can I substitute for Greek vinaigrette?

You can use any store-bought vinaigrette or make your own with olive oil, lemon juice and oregano.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Yes, all ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your vinaigrette label to be sure.

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