Çoban Salatası
Shepherd's Salad
A quintessential Turkish shepherd's salad, featuring finely diced fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and peppers, tossed in a simple lemon-olive oil dressing. It's a staple served alongside almost every Turkish meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 Tomatoes(Medium-sized, ripe, and firm. Roma or vine-ripened work well.)
- 2 Cucumbers(Medium-sized. English or Persian cucumbers are preferred for their thin skin and fewer seeds. If using regular cucumbers, you may want to peel them.)
- 1 Onion(Small to medium. Red onion or sweet yellow onion are good choices for their milder flavor.)
- 1 Green bell pepper(Or other mild pepper like a Turkish sivri biber if available. Remove seeds and membrane.)
- 60 ml Olive oil(Good quality extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.)
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice(Freshly squeezed lemon juice is highly recommended.)
- to taste Salt
- 1 tsp Sumac(Optional, for a tangy, slightly peppery flavor.)
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley(Optional, finely chopped, for added freshness and color.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the vegetables: Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Core and seed the green pepper. Finely dice the tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and green pepper into small, uniform pieces, about 0.5 cm (1/4 inch) in size. Uniformity in size ensures even distribution of flavors and a pleasing texture.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Combine ingredients: Place all the diced vegetables into a medium-sized mixing bowl. If using, add the finely chopped fresh parsley.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 3
Dress the salad: Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice over the vegetables. Add salt to taste.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 4
Toss and season: Gently toss the salad to coat all the vegetables evenly with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If desired, sprinkle with sumac for an extra layer of flavor.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Serve immediately: Çoban Salatası is best served fresh, allowing the vegetables to retain their crispness. It can be served as a side dish or a light meal.
⏱️ 5 minutes (resting time, optional)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to a great Çoban Salatası is the uniform, small dice of the vegetables. This ensures every bite is a balanced mix of flavors.
- ✓Use the freshest, ripest vegetables you can find for the best taste and texture.
- ✓This salad is best enjoyed immediately after preparation to maintain the crispness of the vegetables.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add finely chopped fresh mint for a refreshing twist.
- Incorporate a small amount of finely minced garlic for a bolder flavor.
- A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle heat.