Za’atar Salmon Quinoa Bowl
with chickpeas / tomatoes / red onions / broccolini
Every time we feature za'atar, we get requests for more recipes featuring this unique spice blend. It's a great addition to salmon in this easy, flavorful, one-bowl meal.
Ingredients
- Broccolini - 1 bunch, chopped
- Onions, medium and red - 1/2, chopped
- Olives, pitted Kalamata - 1/2 cup, sliced
- Tomatoes, cherry or grape - 1 cup, halved
- Salmon - 1 lb, cubed (preferably skinless fillets)
- Za'atar - 1 Tbsp
- Beans, garbanzo (14 oz / 397 g) - 1 can, drained and rinsed
- Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp + 1 Tbsp + 1 Tbsp
- Cooked quinoa (ingredients listed separately) - 2 1/4 cups
- Quinoa, uncooked - 3/4 cup
- Stock, any type - 1 1/2 cups
- Cilantro - 1/2 Tbsp, chopped
- Garlic - 1 clove, chopped
- Honey - 1/2 tsp
- Lemon juice - 1 1/2 Tbsp
- Sour cream - 1/3 cup (sub plain or Greek yogurt)
Nutrition Facts
Prep
- Quinoa - (If making Thursday’s meal, cook quinoa for that night at the same time.) Combine quinoa with stock in a saucepan. Add some salt. Bring to a boil covered. Lower heat, keep covered, and cook until liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Broccolini / Onions / Olives - Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Make sauce - Chop cilantro and garlic. Combine cilantro, garlic, honey, lemon juice, and sour cream. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Tomatoes - Slice tomatoes in half. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
- Salmon - If you bought skinless salmon fillets, slice into cubes and toss with za’atar. If the fillets are skin-on, just season the flesh with za’atar. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
- Beans - drain and rinse.
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Make
- Heat a skillet (if using whole salmon filets with skin, use a nonstick pan) with first part of oil over medium-high heat. Add broccolini and saute until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with some salt and pepper. Set aside and return pan to heat.
- Add second part of oil and then beans and onions. Saute until onions are tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with some salt and pepper. Set aside and return pan to heat.
- Reduce heat to medium and add third part of oil. Add salmon. If using cubes, saute; if using whole filets, cook on both sides. Cook until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, ~5 minutes total.
- If quinoa was made ahead, reheat in the microwave (reserve portion for Thursday if it was cooked at the same time).
- If you cooked whole salmon fillets, use a fork to shred the salmon (discard skin) before adding it to the bowls.
- Set out quinoa, broccolini, beans / onions, olives, tomatoes, salmon, and sauce and customize bowls at the table. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Reviews
Ratings
32 reviews
A healthy favorite in our house which we have on repeat. Love the varied textures. I used pearl barley instead of quinoa. Classic Cooksmarts in that it's also fun! Everyone enjoys prepping their own bowl at the table from the colorful array of ingredients.
Super delicious! I doubled the sauce and subbed broccoli (couldn’t find broccolini). I seasoned the broccoli, onions, and garbanzo beans with a bit of olive oil, salt, and za’atar and roasted them for about 20 minutes at 450. I also added salt, garlic and lemon juice to the salmon and broiled it. It was sooooo good!!
I liked it, but all the flavors kind of blended together to me rather than feeling distinct. But once I finished all the prep, cooking was so quick and easy, which is always a huge plus in my book!
The vegetarian version was loved by all, and yes, subbed broccoli. For non-vegetarian leftovers, we threw in some tuna. Very tasty.
Prepared exactly as written with plain yogurt instead of sour cream; served to many guests, all cleaned their plates and many got seconds; one of my favorites; will make again