This easy Shirazi Salad is a refreshing Persian dish made with tomatoes, cucumbers, pink onion, and recent herbs, all tossed in olive oil and lemon (or lime) juice. It’s crisp, flavorful, and the right aspect dish for any meal.
You already know I really like a very good chopped salad, and this Shirazi salad is one I make on repeat. It’s bought that recent, herby goodness like Greek salad however with just a little Persian aptitude. Assume crisp, juicy, citrusy, and ridiculously simple to throw collectively.
For those who’ve tried my Mediterranean quinoa salad or cucumber tomato salad, this one is true up your alley. It’s gentle, refreshing, and someway tastes even higher after sitting for a bit—aka meal prep gold!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with easy components – Nothing fancy or exhausting to seek out, simply recent veggies, herbs, and a zippy dressing.
- Naturally hydrating – Because of all of the cucumbers and tomatoes, it’s gentle, refreshing, and full of water-rich components.
- Customizable – Need further crunch? Add bell peppers. Love spice? Toss in some chopped jalapeño. You may make it your personal!
- Pairs with all the pieces – Whether or not it’s a comfy home-cooked meal or a summer time BBQ unfold, this salad simply works.
Substances Wanted
- tomatoes – roma tomatoes work nice right here, however any agency, juicy tomato will do
- cucumber – I like utilizing an English cucumber or Persian cucumbers since they’re crisp and fewer watery.
- pink onion – provides simply the correct quantity of crunch and just a little chunk.
- bell pepper – optionally available, however it provides a pleasant further layer of crunch and sweetness.
- recent herbs – a mixture of parsley, mint, and dill makes this salad pop with taste.
- lemon juice – freshly squeezed for that vivid, zesty dressing.
- olive oil – provides just a little richness and helps carry all of the flavors collectively.
- sumac – this Persian spice provides a tangy, barely earthy taste. Don’t skip it if yow will discover it!
- salt & pepper – simply sufficient to season all the pieces to perfection.
Substitutions
- Swap up the citrus: Conventional Shirazi salad will be made with lemon or lime juice. For those who’re out of each, a splash of pink wine vinegar works in a pinch!
- No sumac? No downside!: Sumac provides a barely tangy, earthy taste, however when you don’t have it, attempt a tiny pinch of lemon zest or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a unique twist.
- Cucumber choices: English or Persian cucumbers are finest since they’re much less watery, but when all you’ve got are common cucumbers, simply scoop out a few of the seeds earlier than chopping.
- Make it oil-free: For those who desire a no-oil model, you possibly can skip the olive oil and let the recent lemon juice do all of the work!
Easy methods to Make Shirazi Salad
Step 1: Mix all components collectively in a big bowl.
Step 2: Season with salt and pepper to style. Refrigerate till able to serve.
Brittany’s Recipe Ideas!
- Let it sit for max taste: This salad will get even higher after sitting for half-hour or so, permitting the flavors to meld collectively. When you have time, let it chill within the fridge earlier than serving!
- Use recent components: Since this recipe is all about recent flavors, ripe, juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers make all of the distinction.
- Don’t skip the sumac: If yow will discover it, sumac is value it! It provides a singular tangy depth that takes this salad from good to superb.
- Serve chilled: This salad tastes finest chilly or barely chilled, so preserve it within the fridge till you’re able to serve.
Easy methods to Serve Shirazi Salad
This recent, zesty salad goes with nearly all the pieces! Whether or not you’re serving it with grilled proteins, a comfy soup, or a traditional Persian meal, listed here are a few of my favourite methods to get pleasure from it:
- With rooster – Shirazi salad is the right refreshing aspect for grilled and roasted rooster. Serve it with Greek rooster, or rooster kabobs for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- With seafood – Pair this salad with grilled or roasted fish, shrimp, or any seafood dish! Strive it alongside air fryer salmon bites, air fryer shrimp, or a easy baked white fish for a light-weight, flavorful meal.
- With soup & bread – A giant bowl of heat, comforting soup pairs completely with this crisp, recent salad. Strive it with lentil soup or a hearty sausage and kale soup, and serve with pita, naan, or crusty sourdough bread for the final word meal.
- Basic Persian pairings – Historically, Shirazi salad is served with Persian dishes like lamb, kebabs, and rice-based meals. It’s an excellent aspect for Chelow (Persian steamed rice), Baghali Polo (dill and fava bean rice), or Kabab Koobideh (floor beef or lamb kebabs).
Easy methods to Retailer & Meal Prep
Fridge – Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. The flavors will proceed to develop, however the veggies will launch some liquid as they sit. Give it a very good stir earlier than serving!
Meal prep tip – If making forward, preserve the dressing separate and blend all the pieces proper earlier than serving to maintain the veggies crisp.
Regularly Requested Questions
Shirazi salad is a conventional Persian salad made with finely chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, tossed with recent herbs, lemon juice, olive oil, and sumac for a vivid, refreshing taste.
This salad will get its title from Shiraz, a metropolis in Iran, the place it originated. It’s a staple in Persian delicacies and is commonly served as a aspect dish with grilled meats, rice, and stews.
Sure and no! Whereas each are recent, herby, and citrusy, Greek salad often has feta and olives, whereas Shirazi salad is dairy-free and makes use of sumac for further taste.
Extra Aspect Salad Recipes
Make sure you take a look at extra aspect salad recipes in addition to the total assortment of salad recipes on EBF!
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