Shopska Salad
A refreshing Bulgarian salad considered a national dish, featuring chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and bell peppers, all generously topped with grated white cheese (Sirene or Feta). It's dressed simply with sunflower oil and red wine vinegar.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 medium Tomatoes(ripe, chopped)
- 1 large Cucumber(peeled and chopped)
- 1 medium Green bell pepper(chopped)
- 1 medium Red bell pepper(chopped (optional, for color))
- 0.5 medium Yellow or white onion(thinly sliced or finely chopped)
- 0.25 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 1 cup Bulgarian white cheese (Sirene)(finely grated, or Feta cheese)
- 3 tbsp Sunflower oil(or extra virgin olive oil)
- 2 tbsp Red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Salt(to taste)
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, cucumber, green bell pepper, red bell pepper (if using), and onion.
- 2
Add the chopped fresh parsley to the vegetables.
- 3
In a small bowl, whisk together the sunflower oil (or olive oil), red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
- 4
Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to combine.
- 5
Generously grate the Sirene (or Feta) cheese over the top of the salad, ensuring it covers most of the vegetables.
- 6
Serve immediately. For best flavor, allow the salad to sit for about 10-15 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The colors of the salad (white cheese, green cucumber/parsley, red tomatoes) represent the Bulgarian flag.
- ✓Traditionally, sunflower oil is used, but good quality extra virgin olive oil is also excellent.
- ✓Sirene cheese is a brined white cheese made from sheep's, goat's, or cow's milk. Feta is a common substitute.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include olives as a garnish.
- Roasted red peppers can be used instead of fresh ones for a deeper flavor.