Shanklish Aged Cheese Salad with Tomato
Levantine shanklish salad is one of the oldest and tastiest aged-cheese dishes of the East: dried balls of shanklish cheese coated in wild thyme, crumbled with tomato, onion and extra virgin olive oil. Its glycemic index does not apply because it contains no starch, and it is an authentic, delicious starter of high biological value.
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Calories
Protein
💡 Smart Nutritional Guidance
Consumption advice
Eat it straight with a fork as a protein-rich breakfast or dinner with cucumber, lettuce and fresh mint, and avoid scooping it up with white bread.
Best preparation methods
Crumble the shanklish ball with a fork and mix it with finely chopped tomato, spring onion and half a cup of top-quality extra virgin olive oil to soften the strong aged flavour.
Important Nutritional Note
Shanklish is a naturally fermented cheese rich in beneficial fermentation bacteria and probiotics that are good for the gut; people with high blood pressure should watch its saltiness from the drying process.
Nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per typical portion (150 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 165 kcal | 247.5 kcal |
| Protein | 11 g | 16.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 4.5 g | 6.8 g |
| Available carbohydrate | 3 g | 4.5 g |
| Fat | 11.5 g | 17.2 g |
| Dietary fibre | 1.5 g | 2.2 g |
The typical portion is approximate, for comparison purposes.
Comparison & smarter alternatives
It has 165 kcal per 100 g, ranking 8 of 12 in Salads (lowest first).
Related foods from the same family:
Frequently asked questions
Does shanklish salad raise blood sugar?
Not at all: it is protein, watery vegetables and pure olive oil, and its glycemic index does not apply because it contains no absorbable carbohydrate to speak of.
What is the nutritional value of a 150 g portion of shanklish salad with olive oil?
The portion contains about 250 kcal, 16.5 g of aged-cheese protein, 17 g of fat and 7 g of carbohydrate from the vegetables only (2 g of it fibre).
Why does shanklish have such a strong smell and flavour?
Because of lactic fermentation and the ageing of dried labneh with herbs and warmth for weeks, which produces short-chain fatty acids that benefit immunity.
Reviewed by the WiBo Health medical team · Last reviewed 13 October 2026
Disclaimer: This guidance is for nutritional lifestyle orientation and does not constitute a diagnostic medical device under EU Regulation MDR 2017/745.