Cucumber Salad with Chickpeas, Fresh Herbs, and Za’atar Recipe
A refreshing and vibrant cucumber salad featuring a creamy Greek yogurt and za’atar dressing, combined with crisp cucumber, chickpeas, fresh herbs, and red onion. Perfect as a light side dish or a healthy snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Za’atar
Salad Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- ¼ cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped fresh mint, kosher salt, cracked black pepper, and za’atar until smooth and well combined.
- Prepare the salad: In a large bowl, combine the thinly sliced English cucumber, drained and rinsed chickpeas, thinly sliced red onion, chopped flat-leaf parsley, fresh mint leaves, and chopped fresh dill. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Dress the salad: Pour as much dressing over the salad as desired and toss gently to ensure all ingredients are coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve: Serve the cucumber salad chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish or a light meal.
Notes
- Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend that typically includes thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and salt; it adds a tangy and herbaceous flavor to the dressing.
- For best flavor, let the salad sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow the dressing to meld with the vegetables.
- This salad is suitable for vegetarian diets and can easily be adapted for vegan by substituting Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt alternative.
- Use English cucumber for minimal seeds and a crisp texture.
