Zaatar Salad Recipe

This zaatar salad’s basically tomatoes, onion, and fresh zaatar tossed with olive oil and vinegar — super quick, bright, kinda earthy. Good when you’re tired, hungry, and don’t feel like turning anything on. Just chop, toss, done.

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Quick Summary

• Prep time: 15 mins
• Cook time: 0
• Flavor: sharp, herby, a little juicy
• Great for: mezze plates, lazy nights, no-cook meals

Why I Like This Recipe

didn’t overthink it. had fresh zaatar and some sad tomatoes. didn’t wanna waste anything so i just made this. took maybe 10 minutes. didn’t expect it to taste so fresh? now i make it whenever i don’t feel like cooking but still wanna eat something kinda cool.

Ingredients

• 2 large tomatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup fresh zaatar leaves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• ½ tsp salt

How To Make Zaatar Salad

chop your stuff. throw it in a bowl. drizzle the oil + vinegar, add salt. mix it. that’s it. serve right away — it gets watery if you let it sit too long.

Tips for Success

• red onion’s best here — milder bite
• use the freshest zaatar you can get, not dried
• taste it after mixing — you might want more salt or vinegar
• don’t skip the vinegar, it brings it all together

Storage and Reheating

Fridge: not great as leftovers. eat it fresh. if you need to prep ahead, chop tomatoes/onion and store separately, mix with zaatar and dressing right before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

• what is fresh zaatar?
  not the dry blend — it’s an actual herb, kinda like oregano but softer, greener.
• can i use dried zaatar mix?
  nah, different flavor. it’s not the same.
• what if i don’t have balsamic?
  red wine vinegar or lemon juice both work.
• can i make it ahead of time?
  you can chop stuff early, but mix right before eating.
• what do i eat it with?
  i usually do it with hummus + pita or grilled chicken.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

• using dry zaatar instead of fresh – totally different salad. don’t.
• letting it sit – fresh zaatar wilts fast and tomatoes leak. serve asap.
• overdoing the vinegar – start light, taste, adjust.
• cutting onions too big – dice them fine or they take over.
• using bland tomatoes – no flavor = no salad.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 95 kcal
• Total Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 299mg
• Potassium: 250mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 7g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 3g
• Protein: 1g