Arabic/Israeli salad with za’atar dressing is a fresh tomato and cucumber salad with a refreshing crunch. This healthy Middle Eastern salad is traditionally served with every meal of the day and makes the perfect summer side dish.
Arabic/Israeli Salad with za’atar dressing
It’s refreshing, healthy, gorgeous, low calorie, easy to make, and versatile ~ what more could you possible ask from a salad? In Israel they’ll eat it for every meal of the day, and you’ll get lots of use out of it for summer meals and barbecues, etc. It brightens up just about any plate of food.
Arabic/Israeli salad ~ the controversy
Food and culture are intimately connected, and this simple salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and parsley has become the center of a heated debate. Different cultures make and enjoy this refreshing salad, and so naming/claiming it can be tricky and a point of contention.
Tomato cucumber salad has been made for centuries in Palestine and other parts of the Middle East from the fresh produce of the region.
Jewish immigrants adapted the salad (which is simply called chopped salad in Israel) when they settled in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Jordan in the late 19th century.
Some feel that the original Palestinian salad has since been unfairly appropriated by Israel as a national dish, along with other classic Arab dishes like hummus, falafel, and tabbouleh.
You could think of this as an example of natural culinary evolution, or cultural appropriation. We can’t settle the issue here, but it’s something to think about as you chop your veggies for this wonderful dish.
For a Persian version of this salad check my Shirazi Salad.
where my chopped salad breaks with tradition
Everybody does their tomato and cucumber salad a little differently, whether it’s adding or subtracting a spice, changing up the herbs, or using different veggies…
- My salad is rather chunky, whereas most Israeli salads are very finely minced. I prefer this texture, and I feel like it doesn’t get as watery, and lasts longer. In this form the salad makes a nice side dish.
- I use multicolored bell peppers for a colorful effect whereas a classic salad would be red and green.
- Full sized tomatoes are traditional, but I love cherries because they’re available all year long, aren’t as watery, and are firm and sweet.
- Feta cheese is not traditional but makes my salad a little heartier.
- Chopped radishes add a spicy kick and extra crunch.
- Mint is a common ingredient that I’ve omitted simply because I didn’t have any. I highly recommend it.
ingredients for my Arabic/Israeli salad
- TOMATOES ~ any great ripe tomato is perfect, but off season, cherry tomatoes are ideal.
- CUCUMBER ~ English or Persian cukes are best, they have less seeds, thinner skins, and are less watery.
- RED ONION ~you can substitute green onions.
- BELL PEPPERS ~ go for the rainbow here!
- RADISHES ~ big crunch factor and a nice sharp bite. Jicama might be a good substitute.
- FETA CHEESE ~ look for imported sheep’s milk feta, it’s creamy and mild.
- PARSLEY ~ use curly or flat leaf, but make sure it’s fresh, not dried.
- OLIVE OIL ~ extra virgin for flavor.
- LEMON JUICE ~ fresh squeezed.
- ZA’ATAR ~ a wild thyme-like herb, but also can be a spice blend of toasted sesame seeds, dried thyme, dried oregano, and sumac.
- SALT FRESH CRACKED BLACK PEPPER ~
how to make this salad ahead
Salads of all kinds are usually best enjoyed the day they’re made, but if you need to make this ahead, I would leave out the tomatoes, which don’t do well in the refrigerator, and add them before serving. Don’t dress the salad ahead of time, add it just before serving.
to make this salad vegan
Leave out the cheese, the salad will still be wonderful.
to make without za’atar
Substitute dried oregano, dried thyme, or a combination of both. You might also use some citrusy sumac to spice your salad.
more Mediterranean salads
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
- Lentil Salad with Cucumber and Mint
- Chopped Italian Salad
- Chopped Greek Salad
- Mediterranean Bean Salad
Arabic/Israeli Salad
Equipment
- alligator chopper (optional)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups diced bell peppers, assorted colors
- 1 cup diced radishes
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup cubed feta cheese
dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp za'atar (substitute dried oregano, thyme, or both.)
- salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all the veggies and parsley to a large bowl. Note: try to cut the ingredients in small, even pieces. I use my Alligator Chopper to do it quickly.
- Toss with enough dressing to moisten the salad. Season with salt and pepper. Note: I will sometimes leave the feta cheese out and add it after tossing, to prevent it from being broken up.
- Gently add the feta and give one gentle toss.
- Taste and add more dressing, or seasonings, as you like. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator until needed. Note: tomatoes do not fare well in the refrigerator, so if you are making the salad ahead, consider adding them right before serving.
Nutrition
This is a terrific salad recipe
Thank you Susan, I appreciate the review 🙂
I’m going to try making this into soup. I am putting cukes into a lot of cooked recipes and they are very good, as are cooked radishes. Sooooo–nothing ventured, nothing gained. And, if it works, it will be one more way to preserve my garden for winter (canned, or maybe dehydrated and powdered??).
So creative, let us know how it works!
Nice recipe, but if you’re getting into Woke politics for the Middle East, maybe you should study it a little first.
There have always been Jews in the area of Israel / Judea / Samaria.
Arabs moved into the area, which was called the “Palestine Mandate” under the rule of the British Empire after WWI.
You can ruin the taste of a nice recipe with Woke politics.
I did study this issue Sandra, but as you and I both know, it’s complicated. I try to add context to my International recipes as best I can.
Wow, how nasty. How about just move along if you don’t agree?
It’s a recipe for ctying out loud. Grow up.
Just made a monster bowl of this salad. It brought me so much joy. Thank you for this.
I’m so glad!
Do you use the Za’atar blend (with sesame seeds) or the herb itself?
I generally use the blend, because it’s what I can find.
Delicious salad! I would absolutely eat this for breakfast or any other meal. Thanks for a great recipe!
This recipe is so good! Made it twice now and everyone loves it. Keeps well as leftovers. I added Israeli (Pearl) couscous to it too…..yummy!
Love the idea of adding couscous, I’ll do that next time 🙂
It is a Palestinian salad…..Should not be called israeli salad….
I think you are fantastic & several of your recipes are in my constant rotation. But,please stop with the “cultural appropriaton” line. (and I’m a Liberal). Jews have been in this region for milennia.
I love your recipes and cook with them often. I appreciate that you are respectful of the origins and make note of other cultures. Here in Australia the delightful small Middle Eastern cucumbers are referred to as Lebanese – probably because they were initially found as t Lebanese produce shops. Please keep up your fantastic work.
Thanks Helen <3
You would see this salad in the deli yrs ago, I grew up with it, ty for bringing back great memories