Israeli Salad (Finely Chopped Cucumber and Tomato Salad)
Local name: סלט ישראלי
In short: Tiny cubes of ripe tomato and crisp cucumber with onion and parsley, dressed in lemon juice and olive oil. Served at almost every Israeli meal. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 140 kcal
Israeli salad is the one dish you find on nearly every table in Israel, from breakfast to dinner. It is nothing more than tomatoes and cucumbers cut into very small, even cubes, with onion, parsley, olive oil, lemon and salt. The small dice is the point, because it makes every spoonful taste of everything. The salad is only as good as the vegetables, so make it with the best tomatoes you can find.
Instructions
- Dice all the vegetables to the same small size, about 7 mm (1/4 inch). Cut the tomatoes last so they do not get mushy.
- Combine the tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, bell pepper and parsley in a large bowl.
- Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, pour it over the vegetables just before serving and toss gently.
- Taste and adjust. It should taste bright and lemony. Serve right away, with extra olive oil, in a bowl or heaped into pita.
Tips
- Dice small and even. The size defines this salad, and larger pieces turn it into a different dish.
- If you must prepare it ahead, dress it at the last minute. Tomatoes and cucumbers release water within 20 minutes of being salted.
Questions and answers
What goes into Israeli salad?
Finely diced tomatoes and cucumbers are the base, with onion, parsley and a dressing of lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Some cooks add peppers, radishes, mint or sumac.
What do you serve with Israeli salad?
Almost everything: falafel, shakshuka, hummus, schnitzel and grilled meat. It is also part of the daily Israeli breakfast table.
How long does Israeli salad keep?
It is best eaten right away. In the fridge it keeps for about a day but turns watery, so drain off the liquid and refresh it with lemon juice and herbs.
How long does it take to make Israeli Salad (Finely Chopped Cucumber and Tomato Salad)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Israeli Salad (Finely Chopped Cucumber and Tomato Salad)?
About 140 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 140 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 440 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
