Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

Home Recipes By Type Salads

5

/5

Rate Recipe 7 Comments

Jump to Recipe

By: DianaPosted: 2/8/21Updated: 5/20/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Mediterranean Shirazi salad is so fresh, simple, quick, and easy to make! It complements so many dishes and adds a lot of color and flavor to your meals. Uses very simple common ingredients, and ready in just 15 minutes.

Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (1)

What is Shirazi Salad

Shirazi salad or salad-e Shirazi is a traditional cucumber and tomato Persian salad that comes from Shiraz; a city in the South West of Iran.

It has a similar flavor profile to Greek salad, but it’s naturally vegan without the addition of feta or any other cheese. The dressing is so simple and couldn’t be any easier to make! It uses extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice seasoned with a pinch of salt and ground black pepper.

Traditionally sour grape juice (ab-ghooreh) is used in the dressing, but it’s a hard-to-find ingredient, I substitute it with lemon or lime juice.

When it comes to herbs, Shirazi salad is best known for using dried and crushed mint leaves. Dried mint has a unique flavor, and often used in Middle Eastern cooking.

Fresh mint leaves are delicious in Fattoush Salad, which is a lettuce salad with fried pita croutons and lots of crunchy vegetables.

Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (2)

The Ingredients

  • Cucumber – normally crisp Persian cucumbers are used, but if you can’t find them (I rarely can) use an English cucumber instead, it has fewer seeds and thin skin so you don’t need to peel the cucumber.
  • Tomatoes – pick a variety of tomatoes that are firm, not too juicy, too seedy, or over-ripe. I usually go for Roma, Campari, or salad tomatoes.
  • Onion – red, white, or yellow.
  • Dried mint – crushed dried mint is what’s used in Shirazi salad. If you can’t find it, you can easily make it by dehydrating some mint leaves and crushing them with your hands. You can substitute dried mint with half a cup of fresh chopped mint leaves.
  • For the dressing, use extra virgin olive oil, lemon or lime, salt, and pepper.
  • Parsley – not a typical ingredient in traditional Persian salad, but I like to add it.
Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (3)

How to Make Shirazi Salad

Finely dice the vegetables, but do not use a food processor or a chopper for that. The dice should be as fine as what you’d do for tabouleh salad. More like this tahini salad, or pico de gallo salsa. See pictures below.

Make the dressing. Just combine the olive oil with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and add in the dried mint. If you want to emulsify the dressing, use a whisk but this step is not necessary nor traditionally done.

You can also add the dressing ingredients on top of the diced vegetables rather than whisk in a separate bowl, mix the salad very well.

Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (4)

Toss the salad with the dressing until everything is well coated in the dressing. Serve immediately or allow the flavors to settle and infuse for 30 minutes before serving.

Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (5)

Top Tips for Making Salad Shirazi

  • If using juicy tomatoes, place them in a colander after dicing to get rid of the extra juices.
  • This salad is best prepared and enjoyed immediately (or within an hour) as the vegetables become soggy with the dressing if stored in the fridge overnight. However, if you’re making this a couple of hours ahead, that works fine but I recommend dressing it right before serving.
  • Add more fresh herbs such as cilantro, dill, and mint leaves. This is not traditional but can be a tasty addition.
  • Serve this salad with rice dishes such as Mujadara, or stews, Middle Eastern pastries, hummus, and soups.
Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (6)

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe

Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (7)

5 from 29 votes(Click stars to rate!)

Shirazi Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Author: Diana

Print Rate Recipe

This Mediterranean Shirazi salad is so fresh, simple, quick, and easy to make! It complements so many dishes and can add lots of color and flavor to your meals. Uses very simple common ingredients, and ready in just 15 minutes.

6 servings

This Mediterranean Shirazi salad is so fresh, simple, quick, and easy to make! It complements so many dishes and can add lots of color and flavor to your meals. Uses very simple common ingredients, and ready in just 15 minutes.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

  • 1 English cucumber chopped, or 4 Persian cucumbers
  • 4 tomatoes chopped
  • 1 red onion chopped
  • ¼ cup parsley chopped

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried mint
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Finely dice or chop the vegetables and add to a large mixing bowl.

  • In a small bowl or jug, combine the olive oil with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and add in the dried mint. Give everything a good stir, or if you want the dressing emulsified use a whisk.

  • Toss the salad with the dressing until everything is well coated in the dressing. Serve immediately or allow the flavors to settle and infuse for 30 minutes before serving.

Notes:

  • This salad is best prepared and enjoyed immediately (or within an hour) as the vegetables become soggy with the dressing if stored in the fridge overnight. However, if you’re making this a couple of hours ahead, that works fine but I recommend dressing it right before serving.
  • Add more fresh herbs such as cilantro, dill, and mint leaves. This is not traditional but can be a tasty addition.
  • Serve this salad with rice dishes such as Mujadara, or stews, Middle Eastern pastries, hummus, and soups.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 67kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 201mg, Potassium: 236mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 828IU, Vitamin C: 18mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

You may also like...

  • Wild Rice Salad

  • Red Potato Salad

  • Watermelon Salad With Feta

  • Asian Chicken Salad

Previous PostBaked Feta Pasta (Oven, Instant Pot)
Next Post Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review!

  1. Monica says

    Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (14)
    So yummy! The little Persian cucumbers shine in this rustic salad. 🥒 🍅 🍋

    Reply

  2. Elizabeth says

    Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (15)
    Love it!!! My now favorite salad!!

    Reply

    • Diana says

      It’s so simple but so delicious! Glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth!

      Reply

  3. Salma says

    Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (16)
    Delicious

    Reply

    • Diana says

      Glad you liked it, Salma!

      Reply

  4. Susan says

    Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (17)
    This was awesome with swordfish steaks, I could have just eaten this salad and I would have been happy!!

    Reply

  5. Mirka Lehtinen says

    Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (18)
    Very Fine,delicious! Thank You so Much!

    Reply

Simple Shirazi Salad (Persian Recipe) - Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Israeli salad and Shirazi salad? ›

The difference boils down to herbs. Shirazi salad often has the refreshing bite of fresh chopped mint mingling with the ingredients, while Israeli salad has the more bracing bitterness of parsley. The former typically makes use of verjuice in its dressing while the latter opts for citrus.

What is Persian salad made of? ›

Traditional Shriazi Salad, as my Persian friends pointed out, includes: cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions. For seasoning, salt, pepper, and dried mint. And for the citrus, they use sour grape extract or juice, also called ab-e-ghooreh.

Where did Shirazi salad originate? ›

Shirazi salad (Persian: سالاد شیرازی sālād shirāzi) is a Persian salad that originated from and is named after Shiraz in southern Iran. It is a relatively modern dish, dating to sometime after the introduction of the tomato to Iran at the end of the nineteenth century in the Qajar era.

What is a substitute for Lebanese cucumbers? ›

While it is traditional to use the variety of Lebanese cucumbers for this Arabic cucumber salad, it is ok to use a normal cucumber or a seedless English cucumber as a substitute for Lebanese cucumbers.

What is the Bella Hadid salad? ›

Here's how to make the viral Bella Hadid salad with arugula, cucumber, bell pepper, avocado and parmesan all drizzled with lemon juice, olive oil and a balsamic glaze. It's light, refreshing and so easy to whip up!

Are salad cucumbers the same as Persian cucumbers? ›

There is a very slight difference in taste, but since English cucumbers also have virtually no seeds, they're interchangeable with Persian cucumbers.

What is the most famous Persian dish? ›

1. Ghormeh Sabzi. An unequivocal jewel in the crown of Persian cuisine, Ghormeh Sabzi is a fragrant stew that's deeply rooted in Iranian culinary tradition. Believed to have been a staple for several hundred years, it is widely celebrated as one of the most prominent dishes served across Iran.

Why is Persian food so healthy? ›

Iranian cuisine is renowned for its abundant use of fresh and healthy herbs like parsley, cilantro, mint, and dill. These herbs not only enhance the taste but also offer numerous health benefits. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, promoting overall well-being.

What does the name Shirazi mean? ›

Iranian and Jewish (from Iran): habitational name for someone from the city of Shiraz in Iran. Similar surnames: Irani, Shabazz, Harari, Virani, Hirano, Shirts, Shimizu, Shire, Siri.

Do you peel Persian cucumbers? ›

Persian and English cucumbers are two excellent varieties of cucumbers. They both have small seeds and thin skin, so they don't need to be peeled.

Are Shirazi people Persian? ›

For lack of a better definition of the Shirazi, we will maintain that the Shirazis – also known as Persians and as Iranians – are the descendants of the those who originated from the Persian province of Fars whose capital was Shiraz, hence the name Shirazis (Mbatha and Shiundu 2001: 135).

What can I substitute for Persian cucumbers? ›

Common Persian Cucumber Substitutes
  • English cucumbers are a close match, with their slender shape, mild sweetness, and minimal seeds. ...
  • Japanese cucumbers offer a slender, seedless option with a crisp texture. ...
  • Armenian cucumbers provide a milder flavor that is light and refreshing, similar to the Persian variety.
5 days ago

Is there another name for Persian cucumbers? ›

The improved cucumbers were initially named Beit Alpha cucumbers after their site of origination in 1939, and over time, the cucumbers were also given general monikers of Lebanese, Middle Eastern, and Persian cucumbers.

Is a Persian cucumber the same as a mini cucumber? ›

Persian cucumbers are also called “mini cucumbers,” while English cucumbers can also be referred to as “hothouse” or “seedless” cucumbers. Persian cucumbers are small, about five to six inches long.

Why are Lebanese cucumbers wrapped in plastic? ›

Plastic Wrap Helps Cucumbers Last Longer

It acts as both an insulator to protect against cold injury and prevents and slows dehydration and spoilage. Plastic-wrapped cucumbers typically last about 10 days in the refrigerator, which is a bit longer than their unwrapped counterparts.

What is Israeli Salad made of? ›

Israeli salad is made of chopped raw tomato, onion and cucumber, and can also include pepper, carrot, scallion, leafy greens and parsley. The salad is dressed with either fresh lemon juice or olive oil, or both.

What are the three main types of salads? ›

The five basic types of salad are green salads (tossed or composed), bound, vegetable, fruit, and combination. The five basic salads that can be served throughout the course of a meal are starter, accompaniment, main course, intermezzo, and dessert.

Why is it called cesar salad? ›

The Caesar salad is often believed to have been created by Julius Caesar himself. But it wasn't. Caesar salad was invented in the early 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico.

What are the 6 major salad categories? ›

Salads can be appetizer, accompaniment, side dish, main course, separate course, or dessert salads depending on their role. They can also be classified as green, vegetable/grain/legume, bound, fruit, composed, or gelatin salads based on main ingredients.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Last Updated:

Views: 5844

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Birthday: 1992-06-28

Address: Apt. 413 8275 Mueller Overpass, South Magnolia, IA 99527-6023

Phone: +6824704719725

Job: District Real-Estate Facilitator

Hobby: Letterboxing, Vacation, Poi, Homebrewing, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.