Description
This easy Shirazi salad is a light and refreshing Persian side dish made with finely chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and fresh herbs, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil. Perfectly simple and bursting with fresh flavors, it’s an ideal accompaniment to grilled meats, rice dishes, or as a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Herbs
- 2 Persian cucumbers, finely diced
- 2 ripe tomatoes, finely diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Finely dice the cucumbers and tomatoes and mince the red onion. Chop the fresh parsley or cilantro, ensuring all ingredients are roughly equal in size to maintain the authentic texture of the salad.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and herbs into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Add Dressing: Drizzle the lemon juice and olive oil over the vegetable mixture for a fresh and tangy flavor profile.
- Season and Toss: Season the salad with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Gently toss all ingredients together to combine without bruising the delicate vegetables.
- Serve: Serve the Shirazi salad immediately for maximum freshness, or chill it briefly in the refrigerator before serving if preferred.
Notes
- Best served fresh to maintain the crispness of the vegetables.
- Finely chopping the ingredients is essential for an authentic Shirazi salad texture and experience.
- Using Persian cucumbers is recommended for their thin skin and fewer seeds, but regular cucumbers can be substituted if necessary.
- You can vary the herbs to parsley or cilantro depending on your preference.
- This salad is naturally vegan and gluten-free, making it suitable for many dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern / Persian
