Salad Shirazi (Persian Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad)
Local name: سالاد شیرازی
In short: Finely diced cucumber, tomato and red onion dressed with lime juice, olive oil and dried mint, the crisp salad served with kebab and rice. 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
- 130 kcal
Salad Shirazi is the standard side for Persian kebab, and it takes its name from the city of Shiraz. Cucumber, tomato and onion are diced small and tossed with lime juice, olive oil and dried mint just before serving, so everything stays crisp. The tiny dice are the point: each spoonful carries a bit of everything. Make it with ripe tomatoes in summer, when the salad tastes best.
Instructions
- Dice the cucumbers, tomatoes and onion into pieces of about the same size, roughly 1 cm (1/2 in).
- Soak the diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes to soften its bite, then drain well.
- Whisk the lime juice, olive oil, dried mint, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Combine the vegetables and parsley in a large bowl, pour over the dressing and toss gently. Serve within 20 minutes, while the vegetables are still crisp.
Tips
- Dice everything to the same size and dress the salad at the last minute, because salt draws water from the vegetables and thins the salad. For make-ahead, keep the dressing separate.
- Verjuice (sour unripe grape juice) is the traditional acid and can replace lime juice. Chopped fresh mint or a few radishes make good variations.
Questions and answers
Can I make salad Shirazi ahead of time?
Dice the vegetables up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate them separately from the dressing. Combine just before serving so the salad stays crisp.
What can I use instead of Persian cucumbers?
Mini cucumbers or English cucumbers work well. If you use a large cucumber, peel it and scoop out the seeds first.
What do you serve with salad Shirazi?
Kebab, rice, grilled fish and stews, or tucked into sandwiches. It is a cooling counterpoint to rich or grilled dishes.
How long does it take to make Salad Shirazi (Persian Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Salad Shirazi (Persian Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad)?
About 130 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 130 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
