Refreshing, nutritious and bursting with flavor, Israeli Salad makes for a beautiful side dish to countless Middle Eastern dishes.
Using a few basic fresh ingredients and a simple yet punchy dressing, this chopped salad is one that any home cook can master. Once you do, you’ll be serving up this delicious salad for picnics, packed lunches, potlucks and more!
Vegetables
Cucumber, tomato, and onion are the three main ingredients in an Israeli Salad, creating a perfect blend of both texture and flavor.
If you can find them, Persian cucumbers work best in this dish – this smaller variety has a slightly sweeter taste that will make this dish all the better.
To avoid your Israeli Salad being too watery, you’ll want to remove the seeds from the tomatoes before dicing them. With cucumbers, the seeds help to add extra flavor, though if you have trouble digesting them you will want to remove these too.
This can easily be achieved by cutting your cucumbers in half and scraping a teaspoon down the middle.
As with any diced salad, the key to success is to But will also help the dressing envelop all the ingredients and pack flavor into every bite.
Parsley
The addition of fresh parsley perfectly complements the vegetables in the Israeli Salad, with a vibrant, robust and slightly peppery flavor.
If you have any fresh parsley leftover from another recipe, Israeli Salad is a great way to use it up.
Whatever you do, don’t substitute it with dried parsley, as the flavor is not comparable when used in no-cook dishes and you won’t get that same bright green color which makes the salad look even more appetizing.
Dressing
A simple blend of olive oil, lemon juice and seasoning is all you need to make your Israeli Salad sing.
The type and quality of olive oil you use will make a big impact on the flavor of your Israeli Salad, so always use the best quality you can afford.
Extra virgin olive oil is a must here, as it has a much more pleasant taste than other varieties which will have been more extensively processed.
Similarly, fresh lemon juice as opposed to bottled will make a world of difference. Once you’ve added your dressing ingredients, make sure to give it a thorough stir to coat all those crunchy veggies.
Ingredients & Preparation Method
The full list of ingredients and exact measurements are listed in the recipe card. For now, listed below are the ingredients you’ll need, a quick video, and step-by-step guide to help you make this dish perfectly each time.
Ingredients:
A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, olives, and optional feta cheese.
1 English cucumber; seedless
⅓ cup Curly parsley
½ cup red bell pepper diced
¼ cup red onions diced
1 Large tomato
Juice from 1 lemon
½ teaspoon Kosher salt; or to taste
½ teaspoon Ground black pepper; or to taste
⅓ cup Olive oil or avocado oil
Preparation Method:
Watch the video to help you prepare this healthy easy to make Israeli salad with ease.
Chop the vegetables: This includes the cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and bell pepper.
Chop the herb: We used fresh curly parsley, but the flat Italian parsley will also work. Finely chop the parsley to incorporate to the salad.
Cut the lemon: This will provide a hint of acidic flavor. Best to roll the lemon back and forth a couple times first on a flat clean surface as it make it easier to squeeze the juice out.
Season and drizzle with oil, salt and pepper.
Once the ingredients are prepared, place the ingredients into a bowl suitable for tossing. Start by adding the vegetables, then the herb, lemon juice, avocado or olive oil, then salt and pepper to taste.
Toss all the ingredients together and be ready to enjoy your simple, tangy, and Israeli salad.
What To Serve With Israeli Salad
This simple yet tasty salad goes with a wide range of dishes and is an ideal accompaniment to grilled fish, like this whole red snapper grilled fish recipe, and meat and kebabs, like this Homemade Doner Kebab.
For vegans and vegetarians, it can make for a substantial meal alongside Lebanese Falafel, and the pairing can also be stuffed into a pita for a satisfying lunch.
If you want to serve your Israeli Salad up on its own, the addition of cubed feta can make it a little more indulgent, while some drained chickpeas will give a boost of fiber and protein.
Recipe Notes:
- To avoid your Israeli Salad being too watery, you’ll want to remove the seeds from the tomatoes before dicing them.
- don’t substitute it with dried parsley, as the flavor is not comparable when used in no-cook dishes.
- The type and quality of olive oil you use will make a big impact on the flavor of your Israeli Salad, so always use the best quality you can afford.
More Mediterranean Dishes To Enjoy
If you loved this Israeli Salad recipe, try one of these dishes next:
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Israeli Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Salad Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber
- ⅓ cup Curly parsley
- ½ cup Red bell pepper diced
- ¼ cup Red onions diced
- 1 Large tomato
- Juice from 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup Avocado oil or olive oil
Instructions
- Set aside the avocado oil, salt, and pepper before preparing the vegetables to make it easier when it is time to incorporate it into the chopped veggies. Chop the vegetables: This includes the cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and bell pepper. Chop the herb: Finely chop the parsley to incorporate to the salad. Cut the lemon: Best to cut the lemon (or lime) in wedges as it makes it easier to squeeze the juice out.
- Once the ingredients are prepared, place the ingredients into a bowl suitable for tossing. Start by adding the vegetables, then the herb, lemon juice, avocado oil, then salt and pepper.
- Toss everything together until well combined.Serve as a side with your side of protein. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- I used avocado oil instead of olive oil as a personal preference. However, olive oil is traditionally used to make this salad.
- You can use any tomato you would like; however, roma tomatoes are the best to use when making this salad.
- I used an English cucumber to make this salad. However, any cucumber can be used to prepare this Israeli salad. Be mindful that some cucumbers such as the waxed cucumber contain seeds; best to remove the seeds.
- I highly recommend using fresh herbs to make this salad. Using fresh herbs enhances the flavor of the salad. It also provides a sense of freshness.
- This salad can be made ahead. However, be mindful that cucumbers do release a lot of water. It’s best to prepare this salad and serve it right away for best result.
- Dill and basil can be used to make this salad as well as they are often use in Middle Eastern recipes.
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica says
Super fresh and perfect summery salad!
I’ve never been to Israel but I have enjoyed this and similar versions around the Mediterranean!
Definitely a favourite. Thanks for sharing as it’s a great reminder — with summer around the corner!!
chihyu says
I can taste all the delicious flavor from here. So fabulous!
STACEY CRAWFORD says
English cucumbers are my favorite! Such a refreshing crunchy colorful side salad that will be perfect for warm weather.
jennifer says
Such a versatile and healthy salad! I bet it would be great packed in a lunch since there are no delicate greens to wilt! Will try it!
paleoglutenfreeguy says
Love salads like this – so crisp and refreshing and it just happens to be healthy!
Stephanie Simmons says
This dish looks so flavorful and refreshing! I’d love to enjoy this on a hot summer night – no cooking required!
Mirlene says
Yes, this is perfect for summer. Thank you.
heather says
This looks so refreshing, perfect for summer!!!
Megan Stevens says
Delicious! I just got back from Israel and we truly ate these ingredients daily. The lemon juice in this salad has my mouth watering, yum!
Renee D Kohley says
My girls LOVE cukes and tomato salads in the summer – and I like to pack them in their lunchboxes. I’ll give this on a try! yum!
Maman de sara says
I love to make Israeli salad! That looks colorful and Healthy!
April says
Avocado oil + herbs + lemon = deliciousness! In fact,this is my favorite equation, and I try to use it myself as often as possible. Fabulous recipe that I can’t wait to try!
Tessa Simpson says
This salad looks so crunchy and delicious! I am so eager to try it!
Amy Sheree says
I love how vibrant and refreshing this is!! The perfect side dish to any meal!!
Emmanuella Sjögren says
Perfect for the next Grill party. This looks gorgeous. I love middle Eastern food.
Jacqueline Debono says
This looks like such a refreshing salad! I love salads with some crunch in them! Will definitely try it soon!
Jeannette (Jay Joy) says
I live in the South Pacific and its so hard to get fresh salad here. We have every ingredient here! I am so trying this.
Danielle Wolter says
I just love how fresh and simple this recipe is. s many wonderful colors, makes me think of summer!!
Jenni LeBaron says
This Israeli salad looks so fresh and tasty. I would love to dress grilled salmon with this for a nice light spring dish!
Stine Mari says
I love super fresh salads like this. All the herbs give this a fantastic flavor kick! And all those beautiful colors – a perfect Summer side dish!
Jere Cassidy says
I love that this is all veggies and no lettuce. This would go with anything and looks refreshing. Love the colors.
Ina at Crafty For Home says
Love this kind of salad, fresh, perfect for bbq side dish!
Amanda says
Looks like I just found my perfect summer salad! I love how vibrant the colors are and all the fresh flavors going on here. Thanks for sharing!
Mirlene says
Amanda, you will love it. it’s so refreshing, crunchy, colorful, and so fun to eat. Not to mention very healthy. Thanks for reading.