Salata Baladi (Egyptian Tomato and Cucumber Salad)
Local name: سلطة بلدي
In short: Chopped tomato, cucumber, onion and parsley dressed with lemon, cumin and olive oil, the fresh everyday salad served beside Egyptian meals. 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
- 115 kcal
Many Egyptian meals come with a bowl of salata baladi. It is simply tomato, cucumber, onion and herbs chopped small, then dressed with lemon juice, a little oil and a pinch of cumin. It is bright and juicy, and it cuts the richness of dishes like fattah, kofta or ful. Baladi means local or country-style, which suits it well.
Instructions
- Dice the tomatoes, cucumbers and bell pepper into pieces about 1 cm (1/2 in) wide. If the tomatoes are very juicy, scoop out the seeds with a spoon so the salad does not turn watery.
- Put the vegetables in a large bowl with the onion, parsley and cilantro.
- In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the vegetables just before serving and toss gently.
- Taste and add more lemon or salt if needed. Serve right away alongside grilled meat, ful or any rice dish.
Tips
- Dress the salad at the last minute. Salt draws water out of the tomato and cucumber, and a salad that stands will pool in the bowl.
- Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes and keep the dice small and even, so every bite has a bit of everything. Chill the vegetables for 20 minutes beforehand for a cooler, crisper salad.
Questions and answers
What is salata baladi?
The simple everyday Egyptian salad of chopped tomato, cucumber, onion and herbs with lemon and oil. Baladi means local or country-style.
How long does salata baladi keep?
Chopped but undressed, the vegetables keep in the fridge for 1 day. Once dressed, the salad is best within an hour or two, before it turns watery.
Can I add other vegetables?
Yes. Radish, carrot, lettuce and sweet pepper are common additions, and some cooks add a little mint or sumac. Keep the dressing light so the vegetables stay in the spotlight.
How long does it take to make Salata Baladi (Egyptian Tomato and Cucumber Salad)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Salata Baladi (Egyptian Tomato and Cucumber Salad)?
About 115 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 11 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 115 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 310 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
