Mediterranean Salad with Tuna & Lemon Dressing

This fast, healthy Mediterranean Salad with Tuna drizzled with a quick, creamy, and herby Lemon Salad Dressing is everything you want for lunch! And guess what? It’s Whole30, Paleo, Gluten-Free, and Low-Carb.

The ingredients include nutrient-dense sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, pepitas, bell peppers, and cucumbers. This is one Whole30 salad that’s so easy to make, and it’ll definitely keep you satisfied.

Best of all, it’s absolutely delicious… because healthy does not need to equal boring!

Why We Love It

I work from home, so most days I grab a quick lunch between answering emails and changing diapers. I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry, I wash my hands, first!

I used to think salads were boring and just sort of resigned myself to that. But you know what?

Salads are not boring! I promise. You just have to unlock the fun of salads again!

So even though I make fast salads, I try to be intentional about adding different flavors and textures, and truly, my easy salads take on new life! That’s what I did here with this salad and man, it’s a keeper!

Mediterranean Salad Ingredients

I love that this recipe is quick enough for a fast lunch and exciting enough for a fun weeknight dinner. There’s a little bit of chopping required, sure, but other than that, it’s really easy!

Most importantly, this is one of the most satisfying salads I’ve made this year. The combination of flavors and textures really makes it feel more like something you’d get at a specialty restaurant.

Canned Tuna
Romaine Lettuce or any lettuce you prefer
Artichoke Hearts: I prefer frozen but feel free to use your favorite jarred artichoke hearts
Bell pepper
Cucumber
Sun-dried tomatoes: I like sun-dried tomatoes in oil, because extra FLAVOR!
Red Onion
Pumpkin Seeds
Lemon Dressing: coconut milk or greek yogurt, lemon juice, dried dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

How to choose canned tuna

Try to source canned tuna carefully, if you can, but just do your best with what works with your budget and what’s available to you.

If you happen to have the privilege to be able to choose, look for brands that say, “sustainably caught,” “pole caught,” or “troll caught,” because that means the tuna weren’t caught in nets.

That’s a big deal because avoiding nets means avoiding the inevitable catching of lots of other sea creatures in them!

“Lower mercury” is always a good choice, too!

Flavor-wise, I personally prefer tuna packed in olive oil, and that’s what I used in this Mediterranean Salad recipe, but that’s just a taste thing.

I think the richness of the olive oil is really nice with the mild fish. But if you prefer it packed in water, then you do you!

Making the Salad Dressing

This creamy salad dressing is dairy-free, Whole30, and Paleo, and one of the easiest healthy salad dressing recipes ever!

To make the Herby Lemon Salad Dressing, simply whisk together coconut milk, lemon juice, and herbs, and you’re in business!

Just be sure the coconut milk hasn’t been chilled first. I leave the can on the counter to bring it to room temperature, but if you’re in a rush, you can gently warm the coconut milk in a bowl in the microwave for 5-10 seconds.

If you’re not doing a Whole30, then feel free to substitute plain greek yogurt instead of coconut milk. This won’t be Whole30 compliant, but it will be very healthy and super delicious!

Once you’ve got the lemon salad dressing made, just drizzle it on top of the salad, mix it up, and enjoy!