An all-star Mediterranean salad recipe! A quick, refreshing, and delicious salad with fresh parsley and a light lemony dressing!
This simple Mediterranean salad, we call Salata, is a staple of the Eastern Mediterranean kitchen. It is as traditional as they come–so representative of the regions agricultural roots. And it is the one from which other Mediterranean salads like, fattoush; tabouli; or this Israeli couscous salad, derive inspiration.
There are only three main ingredients to this Mediterranean salad: tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh parsley. The dressing is a simple drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice. For seasoning, a simple dash of salt and black pepper is all you need; but I really like the addition of sumac spice for a little more depth.
Two quick tips for best results: Use ripe, but firm tomatoes. And, if possible, opt for English cucumbers, also known as hothouse cucumbers; they are the longer cukes that you see in the grocery store wrapped tightly in plastic. English cucumbers are slightly sweeter, have thinner skin, and contain smaller, less noticeable seeds.
Variations of this salad may also include chopped red onions and a cup of cooked chickpeas.
Watch how I make this Mediterranean Salad Recipe
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3-Ingredient Mediterranean Salad
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: serves 4 to 6 people 1x
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Pin RecipeDescription
Easy all-star Mediterranean salad with three star ingredients. Tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley. A sprinkle of all-natural sumac spice, a little citrus, and Early Harvest extra virgin olive oil finish it off.
Ingredients
- 6 Roma tomatoes, diced (about 3 cups diced tomatoes)
- 1 Large English cucumber (or hot-house cucumber), diced
- 1/2 to 3/4 packed cup/ 15 to 20 g chopped fresh parsley leaves
- salt, to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp ground Sumac
- 2 tbsp Early Harvest extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Place the diced tomatoes, cucumbers and parsley in a large salad bowl. Add salt and set aside for 4 minutes or so.
- Add the remaining ingredients and give the salad a gentle toss. Allow the flavors a few minutes to meld before serving. Enjoy!
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Mediterranean salad recipe, tomatoes and cucumber, middle eastern salad
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Pat P says
May 26, 2019 at 11:28 amI’ve been making this recipe week after week; so good. Have also added celery and green peppers which are even better but the green pepper gets a little wimpy after the first day which doesn’t happen to the tomatoes and cucumbers. Cuke now in fridge, tomatoes ripening on top of fridge. And we have new parsley plants in the ground so the next batch will be even better than those made with last year’s parsley which had gotten a little bitter. Can’t wait to make.!
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
May 29, 2019 at 10:25 amSo glad to hear it, Pat! Thanks so much for sharing!
JULIE CROWLEY says
February 3, 2019 at 1:34 pmMade this today with the extras, red onion, & garbanzo beans!! So refreshing, so delicious ❤️
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
February 6, 2019 at 3:18 pmThanks for sharing your variation, Julie!
Eleanor says
September 16, 2018 at 9:57 amThis salad was a big hit! It looks so simple, but the Sumac really picked up the flavor. I’ve already made it twice in the last 2 weeks.
★★★★★
Lindsay Cotter says
September 14, 2018 at 10:38 amLooks so fresh and delicious! I could eat this every day!
★★★★★
Jennifer Blake says
September 12, 2018 at 4:42 pmI love english cukes with tomatoes! Perfect light side dish!
★★★★★
Katie says
September 11, 2018 at 9:54 pmI love a good, simple salad! This has amazing flavors, and fantastic veggies!
★★★★★
Liz says
September 11, 2018 at 6:02 pmSimple and refreshing! What a great end of summer salad!
★★★★★
Jen says
August 29, 2018 at 7:20 pmHow much sodium is in this salad? Needing to know for medical reasons. Thank you!
Suzy Karadsheh says
September 10, 2018 at 2:44 pmIt really depends on how much salt you put in.
Linda Swoveland says
August 12, 2018 at 8:53 amI don’t use ground sumac, but I add avocado.and a lot more tomatoes to mine. It’s delicious!
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
August 13, 2018 at 12:41 pmThanks for sharing your version, Linda! Sounds good!
Nizam says
August 11, 2018 at 2:38 pmMade this twice before. Everyone enjoyed the rice dish. Tomorrow is my wife’s birthday, I’ll make it together with the salad. God willing.
Thank you kindly.
Suzy Karadsheh says
August 13, 2018 at 12:42 pmThank you, Nizam! Happy birthday to your wife!
Mike G says
August 6, 2018 at 4:01 pmWhy are there 8 ingredients in “3 Ingredient Salad” LOL
Suzy Karadsheh says
August 6, 2018 at 4:06 pmLol. If we want to get technical, as mentioned in the post, there are really only 3 main ingredients: tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley 🙂
Sandr Hardy says
July 19, 2018 at 5:47 pmLoved it! Good recipe to use tomatoes, cucumbers and parsley from my garden.
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
July 23, 2018 at 3:14 pmAwesome! thanks for sharing!
Debby says
July 18, 2018 at 6:25 pmLove this salad.. added chickpeas for a crunchier salad
★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
July 23, 2018 at 3:19 pmChickpeas are a great addition! Thanks for sharing Debby!
Jackie says
July 7, 2018 at 2:32 amWould love to try this recipe. I can’t find the sumac spice any where. What can I use as a substitute?
Suzy Karadsheh says
July 7, 2018 at 9:21 amHi Jackie, we actually sell sumac at our online store: https://www.themediterraneandish.com/product/sumac-spice-3-pack/
There really is no good substitute for sumac, but this salad is forgiving, and you can omit and adjust seasoning to your taste.
Kaitlyn Quintero says
June 19, 2018 at 8:35 pmI have never liked salads and if I had to eat one it had to have caesar dressing on it. I am honestly surprised that I liked this one as is.
★★★★★
Suzy Karadsheh says
June 23, 2018 at 1:55 pmMade me smile, Kaitlyn! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Hollis Evon Ramsey says
June 7, 2018 at 11:23 amwhen tomato and cucumber hook up, it’s a party in the mouth!
Sandra says
May 19, 2018 at 4:37 pmIt is yum
Suzy Karadsheh says
May 22, 2018 at 4:42 pmYay! Glad you liked it!
Suzanne HUGHES says
April 26, 2018 at 7:25 pmI need to loose weight and eat better. Your good appears to be just the thing I need
Suzy Karadsheh says
April 30, 2018 at 6:40 pmGlad to have you here, Suzanne! Enjoy.