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
Description
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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This salad looks so good! I love your website, I’m vegetarian indian, and of course love everything with lots of flavor. For this salad do you take out the pulp and seeds inside of the tomatoes.
Hi, Soni! No need to remove the seeds/pulp of the tomatoes for this one :).
Do you use regular parsley or Italian parsley in this recipe?
Either will work, but I prefer Italian parsley.
I typically use Italian parsley.
Love the way you put that together. You made it look so simple. ❤️❤️
★★★★★
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy it!
I simply loved preparing and tasting this wonderful salade. I also used sumac which is a great spice when using fresh tomatoes. The Armenians use parsley, tomatoes and Bermuda onions in a salade know as paeaz seasoned with sumac, pepper and salt. Your recipe is indeed grande. Much thanks for sharing. Take care and be well.
★★★★★
Thank you, John!
Fantastic easy salad that went great with falafel and your tahini sauce. Came across your blog this summer and loving the recipes! Giving this recipe 4 stars instead of 5 stars because the title is really misleading. It’s called 3 ingredient salad but there’s 8 ingredients? I don’t quite understand that (especially since one of those ingredients, sumac, might not be in everyone’s pantry…..I had never used it (or heard of it) before this recipe.
★★★★
Hi Jane, It sounds like the recipe was a winner for you. And if you’ve read the post, you could see what the title was all about 🙂
This looks awesome and I plan on making it as my new all time lunch menu item. Question: can this be made as a meal prep and stored in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Wonderful! This salad will do okay for up to 3 days, it becomes quite marinated at that point.
Don’t make excuses for failure, just find a way for success
★★★★★
Thanks for sharing!
Hi! I plan on making this salad along with couscous and braised lamb shank. I do not have sumac, but i DO have za’tar i am wondering if it might overwhelm a bit? Possibly use less? Or just leave out entirely? I know it has sumac in it… and i LOVE za’tar…. what are your thoughts? Thank you!
Thanks, this looks delicious and I want to put it in a pita bread.. If I make a lot, how long will it last rerigerated?
Hi, Ron! I would say around 3-4 days.
i have never heard of sumac……wIll have to check it out….
Yes! Definitely check it out and give it a try!!