Shirazi Salad: A Simple Persian Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Shirazi Salad is one of the most popular Persian salads, made with finely chopped cucumber, tomatoes, onion, verjuice, and lemon juice. Its fresh, slightly tangy flavor makes it a delicious side for many Persian dishes, and it almost always finds a place on the Persian table.

What Is Shirazi Salad?

Close-up of Shirazi Salad with chopped cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and dried mint

Shirazi Salad is a simple and fresh Persian salad made with finely chopped cucumber, tomatoes, and onion. It gets its bright, slightly tangy flavor from a combination of verjuice and lemon juice, while a little dried mint adds a lovely aroma.

This fresh salad is often served alongside Persian stews and rice dishes, where its slightly tangy flavor adds a refreshing contrast to rich, flavorful meals.

What Goes in Shirazi Salad?

Chopped cucumber, onion, and tomatoes for Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad needs just a few simple, easy-to-find ingredients: cucumber, tomatoes, and onion, preferably chopped into small, even pieces. For the dressing, we use a combination of verjuice and lemon juice, along with a little salt and dried mint.

How to Make Shirazi Salad

Finely chop the cucumber, tomatoes, and onion into small, even pieces. Place everything in a bowl and add the verjuice, lemon juice, a little salt, and dried mint. Gently toss everything together until the dressing is well combined with the salad.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for about 30 minutes. Shirazi Salad is best served chilled, and this resting time allows the flavors of the ingredients and dressing to blend together.

How Is Shirazi Salad Seasoned?

Shirazi Salad ingredients with chopped cucumber, tomatoes, onion, dried mint, salt, and verjuice

Verjuice is the main dressing for Shirazi Salad and gives it its characteristic tangy flavor. You can also add a little lemon juice along with the verjuice. In our home, we usually use a combination of both because it gives the salad a nicely balanced flavor.

What to Serve with Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad is a popular side on Persian tables and can be served with many Persian dishes. Its fresh, slightly tangy flavor pairs especially well with rice dishes and stews. It makes a simple and delicious side for dishes like Ghormeh Sabzi, Loobia Polo, Estamboli Polo, Adas Polo, and Reshteh Polo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Shirazi Salad ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare the salad ahead of time and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes before serving. This gives it time to chill and allows the flavors to blend together.

How long does Shirazi Salad last in the refrigerator?

Shirazi Salad is best enjoyed fresh. Since the cucumber and tomatoes release water over time, it has the best flavor and texture when made and served on the same day.

Can I use only lemon juice instead of verjuice?

Yes, but verjuice is an important part of the flavor of Shirazi Salad. If you don’t have verjuice, you can use lemon juice instead. We usually prefer a combination of verjuice and lemon juice.