Description
Persian Shirazi Salad is a crisp cucumber and tomato salad from Shiraz, Iran, made with red onion, dried mint, citrus juice, and olive oil. It is fresh, crunchy, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and ready in 15 minutes.
Ingredients
6 Persian cucumbers or 2 English cucumbers
6 medium Roma tomatoes
1 small red onion
3 small Persian limes or 1 large lemon, about 5 tablespoons fresh juice
2 tablespoons dried mint
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Finely chop the red onion.
2. Trim the cucumbers, cut them into quarters lengthwise, and dice them into small uniform pieces.
3. Halve the Roma tomatoes, remove the seeds, and finely chop.
4. Combine the lemon or lime juice with dried mint, salt, and black pepper.
5. Add the chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion to a large bowl.
6. Pour the citrus mixture over the vegetables and toss until evenly coated.
7. Drizzle with olive oil just before serving and mix lightly.
8. Serve immediately for the crispest texture.
Notes
Cut all vegetables into small, evenly sized pieces for the best texture.
Use only Persian or English cucumbers because they have thinner skins and taste less bitter.
Do not peel Persian or English cucumbers.
Roma tomatoes work best because they contain fewer seeds.
Remove tomato seeds before chopping.
Add olive oil immediately before serving.
For advance prep, keep vegetables separate from lemon juice, salt, and olive oil until serving.
Store chopped vegetables in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Dried mint is essential and should not be replaced with fresh mint.
Use 1 English cucumber for every 3 Persian cucumbers.
White onion may replace red onion.
Grape tomatoes may replace Roma tomatoes.
Lemon, lime, or Persian lime may be used.
Optional additions include parsley, bell peppers, or carrots.
Pairs well with grilled meats and kebabs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean/Persian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 102
- Sugar: 3.2 g
- Sodium: 4.1 mg
- Fat: 6.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10.8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 2.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg