Shirazi Salad (Persian Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad)

Shirazi Salad (Salad-e Shirazi) is a staple side dish of Persian meals. Made with crisp mini cucumbers (also called Persian cucumbers), tomatoes, onions, fresh herbs, and a bright citrus vinaigrette, this crunchy refreshing salad is easy to throw together and goes well with virtually everything. 

Shirazi salad gets its name from the city of Shiraz in south-central Iran, where it originated. It is one of Persia's most popular side dishes, served with almost all Persian main dishes and it goes especially well with Persian rice dishes. 

I discovered this delightful simple salad when I was planning for a Persian cooking class I taught on zoom. The class centered around one of my all-time favorite recipes called Tachin Joojeh, a Persian layered casserole of chicken, saffron-yogurt rice and caramelized onions. I needed a salad to round out the meal. The choice was easy. Shirazi Salad, I quickly learned, is the national salad of Persia, and super easy to make.

This crisp, bright, refreshing salad turned out to be the perfect side dish to complement the rich savory chicken and rice casserole we made in the cooking class. It has since come into regular rotation on our family dinner table.

Ingredients for Shirazi Salad

• Persian Cucumbers: These small seedless cucumbers are crisp, with thin skin and a sweet fresh flavor. Once you try them, you may become addicted, as I have. If you can't find these little gems, the next best choice is English hothouse cucumbers. 
• Ripe tomatoes: Any diced red ripe tomatoes will do, though I've had great luck with organic cherry tomatoes. They're easy to slice - just cut them into quarters - and they don't lose their juice in the process.
• Red onions: You can also use white onions or even green onions. In fact some insist that green onions are the more traditional choice in this salad. I've used all three and I love them all.
• Fresh squeezed lemon juice: Lime juice and verjuice (sour juice made from unripe grapes) are more traditional but I prefer lemon juice for a bright fresh flavor that works well alongside almost any dish of any cuisine.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Some traditionalist discourage the use of olive oil. I've chosen to include it for flavor and because it helps the vinaigrette coat the vegetables, but feel free to omit it, if you want a more traditional Shirazi salad.
• Fresh Herbs: Chopped herbs add so much fresh flavor to this dish. Choose your favorite herb or whatever is freshest at the market. I've made Shirazi salad with fresh mint, cilantro and parsley - each herb adding a unique flavorful twist to this simple dish.

How to Make Shirazi Salad

Cucumbers tomatoes and onions are chopped and tossed with fresh herbs, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.

You can subtly shift the flavors and textures of this salad, depending on which herbs, citrus, onions and tomatoes you use, and how you slice the vegetables. The more common method is to finely dice the vegetables, which gives you a salad with a uniform texture similar to that of an Israeli salad. I prefer to thinly slice the mini cucumbers because it's easier than dicing and it gives the salad an interesting variety of shapes and textures. If you're using large tomatoes, it's best to core and dice them. If using cherry tomatoes, no need to core them, just slice them into quarters. For more variety, you can add diced green pepper to the mix. Optional but delicious.

Shirazi Salad Questions:

Can you make it ahead of time?

Here's the Shirazi Salad Recipe. If you try this recipe, I hope you'll come back to leave a star rating and a comment. I'd love to know what you think.

Recipe

Shirazi Salad: Persian Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad

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5 from 1 review

• Author: Lisa
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4-6 1x

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Description

Shirazi Salad is a delightful simple side dish made from fresh chopped cucumbers, tomatoes and herbs, dressed in a bright citrus vinaigrette.

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Ingredients

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• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (or an equal amount of Lime juice or verjuice can be substituted.)
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (or Kosher salt) or more, to taste
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or more, to taste
• 4 Persian cucumbers (sometimes called mini cucumbers) or you can use 2 english cucumbers
• ½ white onion, cut into ¼-inch dice, or you can use a red onion or a bunch of thinly-sliced scallions
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs such as mint, cilantro, parsley, basil or dill
• 1 pound of ripe tomatoes, 2-3 medium-sized tomatoes or 1 ½ pints of cherry tomatoes (whichever are ripest and sweetest)
• ½ small ripe green pepper, seeded and diced, optional

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Instructions

1. In a small bowl, make the vinaigrette by whisking the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
2. Trim the ends off the cucumbers and either thinly-slice them crosswise or cut them into ¼-inch dice. Dicing is more traditional however I prefer to slice them because it gives the salad an interesting variety of shapes and textures. Add the cucumbers to a large mixing bowl.
3. If using large tomatoes, slice them in half and remove any hard cores, then cut them into ¼-inch dice. If using cherry tomatoes, no need to core them, just slice them into quarters, and add them to the bowl along with the diced onion, herbs and green pepper, if using.
4. Toss the salad with the vinaigrette just before serving.

Notes

Can you make it ahead? To ensure the brightest crispest vegetables, wait to toss the salad with vinaigrette until just before serving. The vegetables can be sliced several hours ahead and kept, covered, in the fridge. The vinaigrette can be made up to two days ahead and refrigerated. Bring the vinaigrette to room temperature, toss with the salad ingredients and serve.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: no cook
• Cuisine: Persian