Middle Eastern Chopped Salad

Name: Best Middle Eastern Chopped Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 lemon (juice of); 1½ teaspoons sumac; 1 teaspoon dried mint; 1 teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 2 Persian cucumbers (chopped); 2 Roma tomatoes (chopped); ½ red onion (chopped); 1 yellow bell pepper (chopped); ½ cup parsley

Shadi HasanzadeNemati

May 24, 2024

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My Middle Eastern chopped salad has lots of summer produce staples, from cucumbers and tomatoes to sweet yellow bell peppers. Add in the sharpness of the red onion, the fresh burst of parsley, and a tangy dressing, and you’ve got a refreshing summer salad!

A white serving bowl of Middle Eastern chopped salad

Perfect for any season, this salad brings a touch of the Middle East to your table. It’s more than just a side dish as it compliments many other protein dishes so well. Other delicious and refreshing salads to try are Middle Eastern tahini salad, Mediterranean chickpea salad, Mediterranean orzo salad, and my favorite green bean salad.

Recipe Highlights
Why You Will Love This Chopped Salad Recipe
Key Ingredients for Middle Eastern Chopped Salad
How to Make Middle Eastern Chopped Salad
Serving Suggestions
Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
Variations and Substitutions
Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Delicious Salads To Try
Best Middle Eastern Chopped Salad Recipe

Recipe Highlights

Cultural Influence: Middle Eastern Inspiration

Primary Preparation Technique: Freshly Chopped and Tossed

Suitable for: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, Vegan

Dominant Flavor Profile: Crisp and Refreshing, with a Tangy Zest

Skill Level Required: Beginner-Friendly

a side view of a white serving bowl of Middle Eastern chopped salad

Why You Will Love This Chopped Salad Recipe

Burst of Freshness: Every bite is crisp and refreshing with a burst of vibrant flavors. The zesty dressing drizzled over chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and yellow bell peppers is simply perfect.

Vibrant Flavors: The tangy lemon, zesty sumac, and herby mint create a truly unique flavor that complements the salad very well.

Versatile: This easy chopped salad is incredibly versatile, making it an excellent choice as a refreshing side dish or a flavorful appetizer.

Easy and Quick: With its simple preparation, this salad is perfect for busy days when you want a quick and healthy option ready just in 15 minutes. It’s also ideal for beginner cooks who are looking to explore Middle Eastern cuisine.

Key Ingredients for Middle Eastern Chopped Salad

a top view of Middle Eastern chopped salad ingredients: Roma tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, yellow bell pepper, red onion, olive oil, salt, sumac, and lemon

Persian Cucumbers: These cucumbers are nearly seedless and have a thin skin, so there’s no need to peel them. If you can’t find Persian cucumbers, English cucumbers are a good substitute.

Roma Tomatoes: These are less watery than other varieties, making them perfect for salads. To avoid a watery salad, scoop out the seeds before chopping.

Red Onion: These add a sharp, tangy flavor and a vibrant color to this Middle Eastern salad.

Bell Pepper: I use yellow bell pepper. However, you can use red or orange, any color would work.

Parsley: Use fresh flat-leaf parsley for the best flavor. To keep your parsley fresh, store it in a jar with water in the fridge, covering the top with a plastic bag.

Sumac dressing: To make this tangy dressing, you need olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, dried mint, black pepper, and salt.

How to Make Middle Eastern Chopped Salad

Step 1

In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, dried mint, salt, and black pepper. Ensure the dressing is well blended. Allow the dressing to sit for a few minutes to let the flavors combine.

a hand mixes the ingredients dressing in a small white bowl

Step 2

Chop Persian cucumbers into small pieces and add them to the dressing. Next, remove the seeds of Roma tomatoes to avoid excess moisture, then chop them into small, consistent pieces and add the to the same bowl.

a large mixing bowl that contains chopped cucumbers and tomatoes

Step 3

Finely chop the red onion, bell pepper and parsley. Add them all to the same bowl with the tomatoes and cucumbers.

chopped parsley, diced yellow bell pepper, and chopped red onions are placed over chopped cucumbers and tomatoes in a large mixing bowl

Step 4

Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated. Allow the salad to sit for about 30 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the flavors to blend and intensify.

This image shows the tossing step in a large mixing bowl of salad vegetables to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated by the dressing.

Serving Suggestions

This Middle Eastern Chopped Salad is best served chilled. It pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, including rice dishes like maqluba with lamb, saffron rice, lubia polo and tomato rice.

You can also serve this Middle Eastern chopped salad with grilled meat, making it an ideal addition to your outdoor barbecues and picnics. Pair it with Mediterranean chicken skewers, Mediterranean grilled chicken kabobs, or harissa grilled chicken thighs, and enjoy the flavors!

It’s also the perfect accompaniment to lamb dishes like grilled lamb chops and braised lamb shanks recipe adding a refreshing, zesty contrast to richer dishes.

A top view of a white serving bowl of colorful salad placed next to lemon halves

Tips, Tricks, and Hacks

Gather Fresh Ingredients: Ensure all vegetables and herbs are fresh and ripe. This salad relies heavily on the quality of its ingredients for flavor and texture.

Properly Wash and Dry Vegetables: Rinse all vegetables and herbs thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or residues. Pat them dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner. This step is crucial to prevent the salad from becoming watery.

Enhance Flavors: Let the salad sit for 30 minutes after tossing it with the tangy lemon-sumac dressing to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.

Extra Zing: Sprinkle additional sumac or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on the salad just before serving for an extra burst of freshness.

Variations and Substitutions

Use Other Vegetables: As said before, this Middle Eastern chopped salad recipe is versatile. You can add green onions or fresh mint. You can also add some cilantro if you like, thinly sliced radishes, or chopped lettuce for extra volume and a crunchy texture.

Vegetable Substitutions: If you don’t have Persian cucumbers on hand, you can use English cucumbers instead. However, make sure to de-seed and peel them because the skin is a little bit thicker. You can substitute or add cherry tomatoes for a sweeter taste and vibrant color. As for bell peppers, use a mix of red, orange, and green bell peppers for a colorful twist.

Spice Variations: Consider sprinkling some za’atar seasoning or dried oregano for an earthy, herby flavor.

Dressing Variations: Add a teaspoon of pomegranate molasses to the dressing for a sweet-tangy flavor. You can also add a minced garlic clove for an added layer of depth and spice.

a top view of a white serving bowl of vibrant salad

Storage

Don’t worry about leftovers! You can store Middle Eastern chopped salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Over time, the flavors will further blend together, enhancing the taste of the salad (though potentially with the loss of some of the crispness).

If you’d like to prepare this Middle Eastern chopped salad recipe in advance, then store the salad ingredients and dressing separately in the fridge for up to a day in advance. Toss together just before serving to maintain crispness.