Fresh & Lively Shirazi Salad Recipe for Summer Delight

Fresh summer cucumbers spark magic in this classic shirazi salad that dances with Persian culinary traditions.

Cool Mediterranean flavors create an instant connection between ingredients and memories.

Iranian kitchens have perfected this delightful combination for generations.

Crisp vegetables mingle with bright herbs and zesty lemon, creating a refreshing experience.

Chopped tomatoes and onions provide vibrant color and intense flavor profiles.

Each bite promises a light, invigorating sensation that transports you directly to sunny Iranian landscapes.

Jump into this simple yet extraordinary recipe and let your taste buds celebrate.

Shirazi Salad Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chop Fresh Vegetables

Grab crisp cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, and vibrant red onion. Slice each ingredient into tiny, uniform cubes with precision. Drop all chopped pieces into a spacious mixing bowl.

Step 2: Craft Tangy Dressing

• Fresh lemon juice
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Dried mint
• Sea salt
• Cracked black pepper

Whisk ingredients together until smoothly blended.

Step 3: Marry Flavors

Drizzle the zesty dressing over chopped vegetables. Gently toss everything together, ensuring each vegetable morsel gets coated with the bright, herbal mixture.

Step 4: Let Flavors Dance

Allow salad to rest in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. This magical waiting period lets ingredients mingle and develop deeper, more complex tastes.

Step 5: Present With Flair

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or cilantro on top for an extra burst of color and freshness. Serve cold as a vibrant, refreshing side dish that brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate.

Handy Tips for a Better Shirazi Salad Experience

• Precision Cuts Matter: Use a sharp knife to ensure uniform, tiny vegetable pieces for the most authentic and visually appealing Shirazi salad texture.
• Minimize Onion Bite: Soak diced red onion in cold water for 5 minutes before adding to the salad to reduce sharp, overwhelming flavor and soften its intensity.
• Boost Freshness Factor: Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes and crisp cucumbers to elevate the salad's natural, vibrant taste and maximize nutritional value.
• Perfect Dressing Balance: Adjust lemon juice and olive oil ratios to suit personal taste, ensuring a harmonious blend that complements the fresh vegetables without overpowering them.
• Herb Enhancement Trick: Add fresh mint leaves alongside dried mint for an extra layer of aromatic complexity and traditional Persian flavor profile.

Storing and Reusing Leftovers from Shirazi Salad

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep crisp by placing a paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture.
• Before serving again, drain any accumulated liquid and gently stir to redistribute ingredients and revive the salad's freshness.
• Do not freeze Shirazi salad, as the vegetables will become mushy and lose their crisp texture when thawed.
• For best taste, consume the salad cold within 24-48 hours of preparation, when vegetables remain crunchy and flavors are most vibrant.

What to Pair with Your Shirazi Salad

• Complement the fresh, zesty salad with succulent, spiced meat skewers that bring rich, smoky flavors to balance the crisp vegetables.
• Create a perfect texture contrast by offering soft, warm pita bread that helps scoop up the tangy salad and absorbs its vibrant dressing.
• Select a crisp, light Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that enhances the salad's bright, citrusy notes and provides a refreshing accompaniment.
• Add a smooth, cooling tzatziki or Persian mast-o khiar to provide a creamy counterpoint to the salad's sharp, fresh ingredients.

Shirazi Salad Variations You Can Try

• Persian Herb Fusion: Add finely chopped fresh herbs like basil, mint, and dill to intensify the salad's aromatic profile and boost nutritional value.
• Protein-Packed Version: Incorporate cubed feta cheese, grilled chicken, or chickpeas to transform the light salad into a hearty main course.
• Vegan Mediterranean Adaptation: Replace traditional ingredients with plant-based alternatives like cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and add kalamata olives for extra flavor, using a tahini-lemon dressing instead of olive oil.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Swap out tomatoes with roasted bell peppers, increase cucumber quantity, add avocado chunks, and use extra virgin olive oil with apple cider vinegar for a ketogenic-friendly version.

Common Questions About the Shirazi Salad Recipe

• What makes Shirazi Salad different from other salads?

Shirazi Salad is a traditional Persian salad featuring simple, fresh ingredients like cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions with a light, zesty dressing that highlights the natural flavors of the vegetables.

• Is Shirazi Salad healthy?

Yes, it’s incredibly nutritious. The salad is low in calories, high in vitamins, and packed with fresh vegetables that provide essential nutrients and antioxidants.

• Can I make Shirazi Salad ahead of time?

While best served fresh, you can prepare the ingredients and dressing separately and combine just before serving to maintain the salad’s crisp texture and vibrant flavors.

• What type of mint works best in this recipe?

Dried mint is traditional, but fresh mint can also be used. If using dried mint, ensure it’s high-quality and fragrant for the best flavor profile.

Why the Shirazi Salad Recipe Is Always a Refreshing Favorite

• Packed with fresh vegetables and a zesty lemon dressing, this salad delivers maximum nutrition and vibrant Mediterranean-inspired taste in every bite.
• Serves as an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats, can be enjoyed at summer barbecues, picnics, or as a light lunch option that appeals to all ages and dietary preferences.
• Requires no complex cooking techniques, making it an ideal recipe for beginner cooks, health-conscious individuals, and anyone seeking a simple yet delicious vegetable salad.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Shirazi Salad

• Cucumbers: Crisp and cool base of the salad, Persian or English cucumbers work best for a tender texture.
• Tomatoes: Juicy and vibrant, ripe roma or vine-ripened tomatoes provide sweetness and color.
• Red Onion: Sharp and zesty flavor that adds a punch to the salad, thinly sliced for balanced taste.

• Lemon Juice: Bright and tangy citrus element that brings freshness and helps blend flavors.
• Olive Oil: Smooth and rich base that adds depth and helps distribute seasonings.

• Dried Mint: Classic Persian herb that provides an aromatic and cooling undertone.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing and balancing all the fresh vegetable flavors.
• Black Pepper: Subtle heat and warmth that complements the crisp vegetables.

• Fresh Parsley, Fresh Cilantro: Green herbs that add a final burst of color and herbal note to the salad.

Shirazi Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean sunshine dances through our Shirazi Salad, bringing Persian culinary magic to your table. Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and zesty onions mingle in a refreshing symphony perfect for summer gatherings you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fresh Produce:

• 2 Persian cucumbers (or 1 large English cucumber), finely diced
• 3 ripe tomatoes, finely diced
• 1 small red onion, finely diced (or white onion for a milder flavor)

Herbs:

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried mint)

Seasoning and Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or lime juice for a sharper flavor)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional, traditional recipes often omit this)
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the core ingredients by meticulously dicing cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion into uniform, petite cubes, ensuring each piece is roughly the same size for consistent texture and visual appeal.
2. Transfer the precisely chopped vegetables into a spacious mixing vessel, creating a vibrant foundation for the salad.
3. Craft a zesty dressing by whisking together tangy lemon juice, smooth olive oil, aromatic dried mint, nuanced salt, and freshly cracked black pepper in a separate small container.
4. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the vegetable medley, using gentle folding motions to coat each ingredient thoroughly without crushing the delicate pieces.
5. Allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for a brief marination period, approximately 10-15 minutes, which enables the flavors to harmonize and intensify.
6. Before serving, optionally enhance the salad’s visual and flavor profile by scattering fresh parsley or cilantro leaves across the top.
7. Present the chilled Shirazi salad as a vibrant, refreshing accompaniment that complements main courses with its crisp and bright character.

Notes

• Achieve uniform chopping by using a sharp knife and cutting vegetables on a stable cutting board to create consistent, small pieces.
• Enhance flavor depth by allowing the salad to marinate longer, up to 30 minutes, which helps ingredients absorb the zesty dressing.
• Customize the salad by adding crumbled feta cheese for a creamy texture or incorporating diced bell peppers for extra crunch and color.
• Keep the salad fresh and crisp by preparing vegetables just before serving and storing separately from the dressing until ready to mix.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Persian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 70
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 4.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg