Description
A refreshing and vibrant Persian Shirazi Salad made with diced tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, red onion, fresh herbs, and a tangy lime-sumac dressing. This easy no-cook salad is perfect as a light side dish or accompaniment to grilled meats and kebabs, offering crisp textures and a bright, zesty flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs
- 2 cups (4-6) small Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups Persian cucumbers, chopped
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped Roma tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, red onion, parsley, and mint, ensuring all the fresh produce is well mixed for even flavor distribution.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, freshly squeezed lime juice, sumac, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well emulsified.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the combined salad ingredients in the large bowl, evenly coating the vegetables and herbs with the tangy mixture.
- Toss Gently: Carefully toss all ingredients together until everything is well coated with the dressing, taking care not to bruise or mush the delicate vegetables.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust seasonings with additional salt or pepper as needed to balance flavors.
- Rest: Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes at room temperature to allow the flavors to meld together and the sumac to infuse the salad with its distinctive lemony tang.
- Serve Chilled: Serve the Shirazi Salad chilled as a refreshing side dish or accompaniment to grilled meats, kebabs, or as a light snack.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, noting that the salad will become soggier the longer it sits due to the moisture released by the vegetables.
Notes
- Using Persian cucumbers enhances the salad’s crisp texture as they have fewer seeds and thinner skin.
- The longer the salad sits, the more the vegetables soften and release moisture; it is best enjoyed fresh.
- Sumac adds a unique tart flavor; if unavailable, a squeeze of lemon juice can be used as a substitute.
- This salad is naturally vegan and gluten-free.
- For added crunch, consider topping with toasted nuts or seeds just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Persian
Keywords: Shirazi Salad, Persian Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad, No-Cook Salad, Sumac Salad, Middle Eastern Salad, Fresh Herb Salad
