This straightforward 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 facet dish for any meal.
I really like a superb chopped salad, and this Shirazi salad is one I make on repeat. It’s bought that recent, herby goodness like Greek salad however with a bit Persian aptitude. Assume crisp, juicy, citrusy, and ridiculously straightforward to throw collectively.
In the event you’ve tried my Mediterranean quinoa salad or cucumber tomato salad, this one is true up your alley. It’s gentle, 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 components – Nothing fancy or laborious to seek out, simply recent veggies, herbs, and a zippy dressing.
- Naturally hydrating – Due to all of the cucumbers and tomatoes, it’s gentle, refreshing, and filled with water-rich components.
- Customizable – Need additional crunch? Add bell peppers. Love spice? Toss in some chopped jalapeño. You can also make it your personal!
- Pairs with every little thing – Whether or not it’s a comfortable 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.
- purple onion – provides simply the correct amount of crunch and a bit chunk.
- bell pepper – non-compulsory, nevertheless it provides 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 shiny, zesty dressing.
- olive oil – provides a bit richness and helps deliver all of the flavors collectively.
- sumac – this Persian spice provides a tangy, barely earthy taste. Don’t skip it if you’ll find it!
- salt & pepper – simply sufficient to season every little thing to perfection.
Substitutions
- Swap up the citrus: Conventional Shirazi salad might be made with lemon or lime juice. In the event 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 when you don’t have it, attempt a tiny pinch of lemon zest or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a distinct twist.
- Cucumber choices: English or Persian cucumbers are greatest since they’re much less watery, but when all you might have are common cucumbers, simply scoop out a few of the seeds earlier than chopping.
- Make it oil-free: In the event you choose a no-oil model, you’ll be able to skip the olive oil and let the recent lemon juice do all of the work!
How one can 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’ve got 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 you’ll 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.
How one can Serve Shirazi Salad
This recent, zesty salad goes with nearly every little thing! Whether or not you’re serving it with grilled proteins, a comfortable soup, or a traditional Persian meal, listed below are a few of my favourite methods to take pleasure in it:
- With rooster – Shirazi salad is the proper refreshing facet 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 – An enormous 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 last word meal.
- Traditional Persian pairings – Historically, Shirazi salad is served with Persian dishes like lamb, kebabs, and rice-based meals. It’s a terrific facet for Chelow (Persian steamed rice), Baghali Polo (dill and fava bean rice), or Kabab Koobideh (floor beef or lamb kebabs).
How one can 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 superb stir earlier than serving!
Meal prep tip – If making forward, preserve the dressing separate and blend every little thing proper earlier than serving to maintain the veggies crisp.
Incessantly 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 shiny, 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 usually served as a facet 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 additional taste.
Extra Facet Salad Recipes
Make sure you take a look at extra facet salad recipes in addition to the total assortment of salad recipes on EBF!
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