This easy Shirazi Salad is a refreshing Persian dish made with tomatoes, cucumbers, purple onion, and recent herbs, all tossed in olive oil and lemon (or lime) juice. It’s crisp, flavorful, and the proper aspect dish for any meal.
I really like a great chopped salad, and this Shirazi salad is one I make on repeat. It’s bought that recent, herby goodness like Greek salad however with somewhat Persian aptitude. Assume crisp, juicy, citrusy, and ridiculously simple to throw collectively.
In case you’ve tried my Mediterranean quinoa salad or cucumber tomato salad, this one is true up your alley. It’s mild, refreshing, and in some way tastes even higher after sitting for a bit—aka meal prep gold!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with easy elements – Nothing fancy or onerous to seek out, simply recent veggies, herbs, and a zippy dressing.
- Naturally hydrating – Due to all of the cucumbers and tomatoes, it’s mild, refreshing, and filled with water-rich elements.
- Customizable – Need additional crunch? Add bell peppers. Love spice? Toss in some chopped jalapeño. You may make it your personal!
- Pairs with the whole lot – Whether or not it’s a comfy home-cooked meal or a summer season BBQ unfold, this salad simply works.
Components 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.
- purple onion – provides simply the correct quantity of crunch and somewhat chunk.
- bell pepper – elective, however it offers a pleasant additional 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 somewhat richness and helps deliver all of the flavors collectively.
- sumac – this Persian spice offers a tangy, barely earthy taste. Don’t skip it if you could find it!
- salt & pepper – simply sufficient to season the whole lot to perfection.
Substitutions
- Change up the citrus: Conventional Shirazi salad may be made with lemon or lime juice. In case you’re out of each, a splash of purple wine vinegar works in a pinch!
- No sumac? No drawback!: Sumac provides a barely tangy, earthy taste, however if you happen to don’t have it, attempt a tiny pinch of lemon zest or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a special twist.
- Cucumber choices: English or Persian cucumbers are greatest since they’re much less watery, but when all you will have are common cucumbers, simply scoop out a number of the seeds earlier than chopping.
- Make it oil-free: In case you desire a no-oil model, you possibly can skip the olive oil and let the recent lemon juice do all of the work!
The right way to Make Shirazi Salad
Step 1: Mix all elements 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’ve got time, let it chill within the fridge earlier than serving!
- Use recent elements: 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 you could find it, sumac is value it! It provides a novel tangy depth that takes this salad from good to wonderful.
- Serve chilled: This salad tastes greatest chilly or barely chilled, so preserve it within the fridge till you’re able to serve.
The right way to Serve Shirazi Salad
This recent, zesty salad goes with nearly the whole lot! 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 take pleasure in it:
- With hen – Shirazi salad is the proper refreshing aspect for grilled and roasted hen. Serve it with Greek hen, or hen kabobs for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- With seafood – Pair this salad with grilled or roasted fish, shrimp, or any seafood dish! Attempt 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. Attempt it with lentil soup or a hearty sausage and kale soup, and serve with pita, naan, or crusty sourdough bread for the last word meal.
- Basic Persian pairings – Historically, Shirazi salad is served with Persian dishes like lamb, kebabs, and rice-based meals. It’s a fantastic aspect for Chelow (Persian steamed rice), Baghali Polo (dill and fava bean rice), or Kabab Koobideh (floor beef or lamb kebabs).
The right way 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 great stir earlier than serving!
Meal prep tip – If making forward, preserve the dressing separate and blend the whole lot proper earlier than serving to maintain the veggies crisp.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Shirazi salad is a standard 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 identify 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 normally has feta and olives, whereas Shirazi salad is dairy-free and makes use of sumac for additional taste.
Extra Facet Salad Recipes
Be sure you take a look at extra aspect salad recipes in addition to the complete assortment of salad recipes on EBF!
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