I'm so excited to share that my favorite Shirazi Salad recipe just got even better! I've given it a complete refresh with new, beautiful photos and fine-tuned the herbs and spices for the perfect flavor. The result is a fresh salad that incorporates all the healthy Mediterranean elements I love, all brought together with a tangy dressing enhanced by the delightful sweetness of pomegranate molasses. ♡
You know, in our family, this Shirazi salad is practically a weekly staple—probably because I always make sure to have fresh tomatoes and cucumbers chilling in the fridge, and there's never a shortage of onions in our basket. Seriously, aside from a quick trip for some vibrant fresh herbs from the market, everything else is just waiting in our pantry – that's how easy it is to throw together!
How to Make Shirazi Salad
This shirazi salad is so easy to make; if you use a food chopper, it's even easier!
- Cucumber: Opt for small Persian or English cucumbers for their thin skin and tender seeds, which means no peeling or deseeding is required.
- Tomato: Campari tomatoes offer the most authentic Mediterranean flavor, but fragrant tomatoes on the vine are also an excellent choice.
- Red Onion: Adds vibrant color and a milder, sweeter flavor to the salad.
- Fresh Herbs: These fresh herbs—mint and Italian flat-leaf parsley—are essential, bringing a lively zest and authentic taste to the salad.
For the Salad Dressing: Start with freshly squeezed lemon juice; it adds that bright, tart pop that really brings everything to life. Then, I drizzle in some pomegranate molasses for a special sweet and tangy touch that you won't find in most dressings.
To make it even better, I mix in some minced garlic and season it with dried oregano and sumac. These little touches give it a delightful Mediterranean flavor that I absolutely love! Finally, I whisk in high-quality cold-pressed olive oil.
The most crucial step in making Shirazi salad is to dice the tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion into a uniformly small size. This ensures that every single bite delivers a harmonious blend of all the fresh flavors and textures.
Add the fresh chopped parsley and mint to the diced vegetables. Pour the dressing over everything, toss gently to combine, then taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Shirazi Salad Variation
You can create many delicious variations of this Shirazi Salad recipe! Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Add Pomegranate Seeds: For an extra burst of juicy sweetness and color, especially when pomegranates are in season.
- Include Other Vegetables: Finely diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange) can add more crunch and color, while radishes can introduce a peppery bite.
- Make it a Heartier Meal: Add cooked chickpeas or lentils for a more substantial salad that can serve as a light main course.
How to Serve Shirazi Salad
With its ability to cut through richness, this Shirazi salad truly shines alongside grilled chicken, fish, or other Mediterranean-style meats. If you're a pasta lover, discover how beautifully it complements dishes like my Rustic Marinara Tortellini or Easy 25-Minute Garlic Pasta. I think you're really going to love this refreshing salad—it’s bound to become a favorite in your meal rotation!
How to Store
To store Shirazi salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
More Crave-Worthy Salad Recipes
- Authentic Kisir (Turkish Bulgur Salad)
- Fattoush Salad
- Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
- Tender Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad
- Red Cabbage Salad with Greek Dressing
The Best Easy Shirazi Salad (Salad-e Shirazi)
If you’re looking for a quick and easy salad recipe, I highly recommend trying this refreshing Shirazi Salad. It’s made with crunchy cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and a tangy Mediterranean dressing that really brings everything together. You’ll love how simple and delicious it is!
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15-20 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 serving 1x
- Category: Salad, Side Dish, Vegetarian
- Method: Dicing, Whisking, Tossing
- Cuisine: Persian, Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
For the Mediterranean Salad Dressing:
- ½ teaspoon sumac
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 clove garlic, minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
- Juice of 1 large lemon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
For the Salad:
- 1 English cucumber (or 4-5 small Persian cucumbers)
- 1 small red onion
- 1 pound Campari tomatoes or tomatoes on the vine
- ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
- ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add the sumac, dried oregano, minced or grated garlic, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Whisk thoroughly to combine ingredients and dissolve the salt.
- While continuously whisking the mixture, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the dressing becomes glossy and no pools of olive oil remain. Set the dressing aside to allow flavors to meld while you prepare the vegetables.
- Finely dice the cucumber, red onion, and tomatoes into small and equal-sized pieces. For consistently sized dice, I find my manual vegetable chopper to be an incredibly helpful tool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, onion, and cucumber. Add the fresh chopped parsley and mint.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables and herbs.
- Give the salad a good toss so every ingredient gets coated in that amazing dressing. Always taste as you go – if you feel it needs a little more zing, add a pinch of salt or a splash of lemon. Then, dig right in and enjoy.
Notes
When I'm preparing Shirazi Salad in advance, I've learned a little trick to keep it perfectly crisp: I always layer my diced vegetables strategically in the bowl! I put the onions at the very bottom (they don't mind a little moisture), then the tomatoes, and finally the cucumbers and fresh herbs right on top. Keeping them untossed and covered tightly in the fridge, along with holding back the dressing until just before serving, means those cucumbers stay delightfully crunchy every single time!
Timothy says
I made it for dinner for my family. It was really delicious and I will definitely be making it again.
Ashley says
Thanks for sharing that, Timothy. Glad you enjoyed it.
Gül.P says
I made it for iftar! Thank you, Ashley! It was so delicious 😋.
Ashley says
You are welcome, Gul.