Shirazi salad uses Persian cucumbers that are 95% water, creating the crispest salad that never gets soggy.
Shirazi Salad
Dive into the vibrant world of Shirazi Salad, where simplicity meets explosion of flavor! This refreshing dish combines juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and zesty onions, all tossed together with a splash of tangy lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Perfect as a side or a light meal, this salad is sure to tantalize your taste buds with every bite!
The Story
This Persian powerhouse migrated from 14th-century Shiraz through Ottoman trade routes, landing in every Mediterranean kitchen from Crete to Cyprus—what started as a royal palace refresher for Safavid shahs became the template for Greek horiatiki, Israeli salat yerakot, and Turkish çoban salatası, proving that sometimes the simplest combinations conquer continents through pure, unapologetic brilliance.
Regional Twist
In Tehran's northern districts, they swap regular cucumbers for Persian mini cucumbers and add pomegranate molasses alongside the lemon juice, creating a sweet-tart complexity that transforms this humble salad.
Prep
15
min
Cook
10
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories
450
Protein
28g
Carbs
42g
Fat
15g
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 6 cucumbers
- 1 cup (237 ml) fresh mint
- 2 red onions
- 4 large tomatoes
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- lemon juice (to taste)
- olive oil (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
- salt (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Chop the cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions into very small cubes and add them into a bowl along with chopped mint.
- 2
Season with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- 3
Eat as is, or serve in pita bread with tahini.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Dice vegetables to uniform 3-4mm cubes because consistent size ensures even salt penetration and prevents larger pieces from diluting the dressing absorption.technique3-4mm cubes
- ✓Salt the diced tomatoes and cucumbers separately for 15 minutes before mixing to draw out excess moisture and concentrate flavors while preventing the salad from becoming watery.timing15 minutes
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of olive oil to lemon juice for the dressing because this creates proper emulsification and balances the acidity without overpowering the fresh vegetables.ingredient3:1 ratio
- ✓Slice red onions paper-thin (1-2mm) and soak in ice water for 10 minutes to remove sulfur compounds that cause harsh bite while maintaining crunch.technique1-2mm thickness, 10 minutes
- ✓Add mint leaves at the very end and tear rather than chop them to prevent oxidation and bruising that turns leaves black and creates bitter compounds.timing
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