This Shirazi salad will be your go-to salad recipe from now on. It's straightforward and quick to make, and with only a handful of fresh ingredients, it will be impossible for you not to love it.
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I'm not exaggerating when I say this is the salad that I always fall back on when I need to put a fresh dinner salad on the table. You only need cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley, and a Mediterranean-based salad dressing.
This Shirazi salad is an updated version of my Mediterranean salad recipe. Also, if you're looking for more Mediterranean salads, try my Authentic Kisir (Turkish Bulgur Salad), or my healthy Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad {Gluten-Free}.
Ingredients You'll Need
Mediterranean-Based Salad Dressing
- Olive Oil. When choosing olive oil for salads, opt for extra virgin olive oil for its superior flavor. Look for a dark glass bottle to protect the oil from light exposure, which can cause it to go rancid more quickly.
- Herbs & Spices. We will be conveniently using all dried herbs and spices. However, I use fresh ingredients as well from time to time. Dried oregano and mint, sumac, and granulated garlic will give this dressing that distinct Mediterranean taste we all love. Fresh chopped parsley will add freshness and bring the salad back to life.
- Lemon. For pop and zip.
- Pomegranate molasses. For sweetness in the salad dressing.
Salad Ingredients
- Cucumber: Will add the crunch.
- Tomato: Adds the juiciness.
- Onion: For umami flavor.
- Parsley: For freshness.
- Meditteranean salad dressing: Brings it all together.
How to Make Shirazi Salad
Start by dicing each ingredient; the cucumber, tomato, and onion into a small dice. Each ingredient is equally the same in size.
Pro tip: After dicing the tomatoes, season them with a pinch of salt, and place them over a strainer to get rid of the excess tomato juices. This will help control how much liquid is going into the salad.
Make the salad dressing, by adding lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, herbs, and spices to a mixing bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined. Then, slowly drizzle the olive oil into the bowl while continuously whisking the mixture. Keep whisking until the dressing becomes glossy and no pools of olive oil are visible.
Bring the salad all together. Transfer the salad dressing to a large mixing bowl. Add the diced onion to the dressing. Give a mix. This will give the dressing some onion flavor before giving it a toss.
Add the diced cucumber, tomato, and chopped fresh parsley. Give a toss to combine. Taste the salad, adjust the seasonings, adding a pinch more salt, if necessary.
Substitutions & Variations
This Shirazi salad is simple and perfect as is, however, there are still ways to jazz it up. Here are a few ideas.
- Spicy - add Aleppo pepper to the salad dressing for a spicy kick.
- Protein - add grilled chicken, steak, or chickpeas for additional protein.
- Veggie loaded- add diced sweet bell peppers, carrots, or radish.
How to Store
To store Shirazi salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Mix it well before serving to ensure all the flavors are evenly distributed.
Make it Ahead
Prepare the salad in advance. Dice all the veggies; to keep the cucumber crisp, add the onions to the bowl first, then the tomatoes, and finally, the cucumber and parsley. Don't toss the ingredients. Keep it as is and place it in the fridge covered.
Reserve the salad dressing in a different container. Drizzle the dressing over the veggies before serving, toss, and dig in.
More Salad Recipes
- Steak Salad with Pickled Fennel and Parmesan
- Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Creamy Chicken Salad
- Red Cabbage Salad with Greek Dressing
- Authentic Kisir (Turkish Bulgur Salad)
Shirazi Salad Recipe
Looking for a quick and easy salad recipe? Try this refreshing Shirazi Salad with cucumber, tomato, and a tangy Mediterranean dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 People 1x
- Category: Salads
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Persian
Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber, small dice
- ½ medium onion, small dice
- 3 medium tomatoes on the vine, small diced
- ½ cup fresh chopped parsley (about 1 bunch of parsley)
Mediterranean Salad Dressing
- ½ teaspoon dried mint (or 10 mint leaves, chopped)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sumac
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic (or 1 small garlic clove, finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- ¼ cup lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- First, dice the onion, tomato, and cucumber into an equal small dice size.
- Place the tomatoes in a strainer, season with salt, and let them sit to remove excess liquid over a bowl for about 5 minutes.
- Then, combine the tomatoes, onion, cucumber, and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Place the bowl aside and make the dressing.
Mediterranean Salad Dressing
- Add the mint, oregano, sumac, garlic, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine ingredients.
- While continuously whisking the mixture, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the dressing becomes glossy and no pools of olive oil are visible.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Taste to adjust, adding a pinch more salt, if necessary.
- Enjoy immediately.
Notes
How to Store
To store Shirazi salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Mix it well before serving to ensure all the flavors are evenly distributed.
Make it Ahead
Prepare the salad in advance. Dice all the veggies; to keep the cucumber crisp, add the onions to the bowl first, then the tomatoes, and finally, the cucumber and parsley. Don't toss the ingredients. Keep it as is and place it in the fridge covered.
Reserve the salad dressing in a different container. Drizzle the dressing over the veggies before serving, toss, and dig in.
The recipe is adapted from my Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe.
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.