Shirazi Salad Recipe – Lebanese Special
Nothing’s more refreshing on a warm day than this Shirazi salad, featuring crisp cucumbers and juicy tomatoes tossed with finely chopped red onion. Loaded with fresh herbs like parsley and mint, and dressed in a bright lemon-olive oil dressing, this salad delivers vibrant flavors in every bite. It makes the perfect light appetizer or side dish—clean, simple, and full of color.
- Prep Time10 min
- Cook Time12 min
- Total Time22 min
Shirazi Salad Ingredients:
- 2 large cucumbers, peeled and diced
- 2 large tomatoes, diced
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped (optional)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Prepare Vegetables:
Dice Vegetables: Peel and dice the cucumbers, dice the tomatoes, and finely chop the red onion.
Mix Ingredients:
Combine: In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion.
Add Herbs: Stir in the chopped parsley and mint (if using).
Prepare Dressing:
Mix Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and ground cumin (if using).
Season: Add salt and black pepper to taste.
Toss Salad:
Combine Dressing and Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
Chill and Serve:
Chill: For the best flavor, let the salad sit in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.
Serve: Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or appetizer.
Recipe Notes:
Cucumber variety matters: Persian or English cucumbers are ideal since they have fewer seeds and milder flavor, but regular cucumbers can work if seeded and peeled.
Herb optionality: fresh mint adds a cooling element—omit it if you prefer a simpler, more straightforward herb profile.
Make ahead: you can prepare this salad a few hours in advance; just keep it chilled and toss before serving to refresh.
Always chill before serving (about 30 minutes) so flavors meld and the salad is crisp and cooling.
For flavour enhancement, add a dash of ground cumin or a squeeze more lemon juice if you like sharper undertones.
