Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumbers and Tomato (2024)

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This Easy Israeli Salad with Cucumber and Tomato (sometimes called a Persian Salad) is the perfect compliment to almost any main dish. Use fresh cucumbers and tomatoes to make a tasty side for dishes like Chicken Marsala Without Cream or our No-Boil Baked Ziti. As with most salads, the fresher the ingredients, the better the salad. This recipe is kosher for Passover, pareve, vegan, and gluten free.

Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumbers and Tomato (1)
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  • Ingredients used in Israeli Cucumber Tomato Salad
  • National salad of Israel
  • We Love This Recipe Because it is...
  • Instructions on how to make Israeli Tomato Cucumber Salad step by step
  • Step 4 - Stir together the ingredients
  • Top recipe tips
  • Recipe FAQ
  • Variations and Serving Suggestions For Israeli Salad
  • Health Benefits of Chopped Cucumber Salad
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Variations and Serving Suggestions
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Ingredients used in Israeli Cucumber Tomato Salad

There are a lot of different styles of Israeli Tomato Cucumber Salad, this recipe is just for the basic salad. Here is what you need to make a quick and easy authentic Israeli salad using vegetables found in Israel:

Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumbers and Tomato (2)
  • Fresh tomatoes - the best tomatoes for salads are Roma or vine ripened.
  • Cucumbers - Persian or English
  • Extra virgin olive oil - as a base for the dressing. Using Israeli oil is preferable but not necessary
  • Lemon juice - the flavoring for the dressing
  • Salt - for flavor
  • Fresh ground black pepper - to taste
  • Red onion - just like in our recipe for Salata Orientala (Romanian Potato Salad), adds tons of flavor and just a little bite

National salad of Israel

If you have ever been to Israel (or if you live in Israel) then you are no stranger to pita and Israeli salad. It is a minced salad served in every Middle Eastern Israeli restaurant from high class dining to the shawarma stand on the street corner. It seems like you can't order a plain hamburger in Israel without a scoop of that heavenly Mediterranean Salad made of tomato and cucumber showing up somewhere on your plate. This recipe brings those flavors all the way from Israel to your plate at home.

Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumbers and Tomato (3)

We Love This Recipe Because it is...

  • Quick to prepare - cut your veggies, toss them in the dressing. You should be able to do this in under 10 minutes.
  • Easy to make - this salad is super simple because it uses ingredients that most of us are familiar with. No cooking time also makes it really hard to get this one wrong.
  • Made with easily sourced ingredients - Most grocery stores in the United States, Canada, and Israel will have cucumbers, tomatoes, and lemons year round. That means that whether it is Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Hanukkah, or Passover, you can enjoy this salad.

Instructions on how to make Israeli Tomato Cucumber Salad step by step

Step 1 - Cut and salt the tomatoes.

Cut the tomatoes into cubes about ⅓ inch thick. If you are using cherry tomatoes, slice them in half and use 2 cups. Salt the tomatoes and let them sit for about 5 minutes. The salt draws a lot of liquid out of the tomatoes and you want to dump that out before mixing them into the other ingredients.

Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumbers and Tomato (4)

Step 2 - Cut the cucumbers.

Cut the cucumbers into cubes about ⅓ inch thick.

Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumbers and Tomato (5)

Step 3 - Mix in the parsley and onions

Mix the parsley and onions into the cucumbers.

Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumbers and Tomato (6)

Step 4 - Stir together the ingredients

In a large bowl, stir in the tomatoes, lemon juice, and olive oil (the Middle Eastern dressing).

Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumbers and Tomato (7)

Top recipe tips

  • Always use fresh ingredients for an Israeli Mediterranean Salad. A lot of the appeal of this salad is the vibrant flavor of fresh veggies when eaten together. Canned tomatoes just don't have the same flavor.
  • If you don't like the tase of olive oil you can substitute avocado oil which does not have any taste to it.

Recipe FAQ

Why is it called Israeli salad?

Also called salat yerikot yisraeli, or Arab salad, Israeli salad refers to a dish that has lots of different variations, but generally includes cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. This combination of chopped veggies has been touted by some as the "national dish of Israel" since you can find it everywhere in Israel.

Do I need to peel the cucumbers?

If you are using the Persian or English cucumbers, you will not want to peel them. The peel on these cucumbers is thinner and does not have a distinct flavor that would need to be discarded. If you are using the larger American cucumber you should peel them because the peel is waxy and has a bitter taste that is not good for this salad. Obviously, peeling the cucumbers will add some time to the preparation of the salad.

How can I store Israeli salad?

Just put the leftover salad into an airtight container and stick it into the refrigerator. It should keep 3-5 days. When you serve the Israeli salad after it has been sitting for a little bit, the tomatoes release a lot of water and you should pour some of it out before serving.

Can I freeze Israeli salad?

No. Tomatoes and cucumbers do not freeze well and will get mushy when they thaw. They will not taste fresh and freshness is really the whole appeal of this salad.

Variations and Serving Suggestions For Israeli Salad

Israeli Salad is low carb and full of flavor. This is the kind of salad that has something in it that everybody likes. In case you are looking for something different, here are some of our favorite additions:

  • avocado
  • fresh herbs like mint or cilantro instead of parsley
  • feta cheese
  • chickpeas
  • chopped jalapeno
  • red bell pepper
Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumbers and Tomato (8)

Health Benefits of Chopped Cucumber Salad

According to Healthline.com, cucumbers are healthy because they are:

  • Low in calories
  • High in antioxidants
  • Full of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Magnesium, and Potassium

📖 Recipe

Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumbers and Tomato (9)

Easy Israeli Salad with Cucumber and Tomato

This Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumber and Tomato is the perfect compliment to almost any main dish. Use fresh cucumbers and tomatoes to make a tasty side for dishes.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, israeli, Jewish, Kosher

Keyword: pita, salad, shawarma, side

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 113kcal

Equipment

  • large mixing bowl

  • Sharp Knife

Ingredients

  • 4 tomato medium sized or 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 6 persian cucumber 2 English, medium sized
  • ¼ onion finely diced
  • 1 bell pepper any color
  • 2 tablespoon parsley fresh, minced
  • ¼ cup lemon juice fresh, half a lemon, squeezed
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Chop tomatoes, salt, drain the excess liquid.

  • Chop cucumbers and bell pepper into very small pieces. Finely dice onion and mince parsley. Combine with tomatoes in a mixing bowl.

  • Drizzle lemon juice and olive oil over salad and toss to coat.

  • Toss and serve.

Notes

Variations and Serving Suggestions

Israeli salad is low carb and full of flavor. This is the kind of salad that has something in it that everybody likes. In case you are looking for something different, here are some of our favorite additions:

  • avocado
  • mint instead of parsley
  • feta
  • chickpeas
  • chopped jalapeno

Nutrition

Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 515mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2214IU | Vitamin C: 66mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

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Easy Israeli Salad Recipe with Cucumbers and Tomato (2024)

FAQs

What are the main ingredients of an Israeli salad? ›

This fresh, light, and colorful salad is sure to become a favorite for your family. Chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and parsley combine with a drizzled dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and mint leaves.

How do you make Valerie Bertinelli tomato cucumber salad? ›

Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Pour the cumin oil into a large bowl and add the shallot, lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cool slightly. Add the tomatoes, cucumber and cilantro and serve immediately.

What is another name for the Israeli salad? ›

Israeli salad
Alternative namessalat katzutz (chopped salad), salat aravi (Arab salad), salat yerakot (vegetable salad)
TypeSalad
Main ingredientsTomato, cucumber, onions, parsley, bell or chili peppers
Variationsspring onions, radish, carrot, cabbage, mint
Media: Israeli salad
1 more row

Is cucumber and tomato salad good for you? ›

This refreshing salad is an excellent source of vitamin C and a great way to take advantage of the vegetables' summer growing season.

What is the most eaten food in Israel? ›

Falafel is probably the most recognizably Israeli food there is. In almost every town in Israel you can find a choice of shops attracting the hungry with the delicious smell of frying falafels. The Shuk (market) Betzalel area in Tel Aviv, for example, is famous for its excellent falafel.

What are the traditional ingredients in Israel? ›

Israeli Jews revolved around seven main foods: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. Mediterranean influence has brought tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini, and chickpeas to the table.

Why soak cucumbers in salt water before making cucumber salad? ›

But even cucumbers can be elevated to greater deliciousness and versatility with a clever kitchen tip that you may not be aware of—salting. When you salt cucumber pieces or slices and let them sit for 30 minutes in a colander, the salt draws out excess moisture which then drains away.

What is Israel signature dish? ›

Israel does not have a universally recognized national dish; in previous years this was considered to be falafel, deep-fried balls of seasoned, ground chickpeas.

Do Israelis eat salad for breakfast? ›

Israeli salad forms the basis of Israel's healthy Mediterranean diet. Israelis will happily eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and any time in between. If you want to find out how to get in on this great health trend and do your body a favor, just click on our video and find out how to make it.

What is a common Israeli breakfast? ›

These might include muesli and granola, cold fish (mackerel, salmon, tuna, herring), homemade jams, baked goods such as croissants and pain viennois and hot dishes such as shakshuka (eggs served in a spicy tomato sauce, served with bread for dipping) and malawach (a flaky fried flatbread hailing from Yemen).

Can you eat too many cucumbers and tomatoes? ›

Cucumber and tomato are individually healthy, but they do not make a healthy combination. Having them together might lead to digestion troubles.

What is the best time to eat cucumber salad? ›

Cucumber in general are good to be eaten on an empty stomach. In fact it is best to eat Cucumber before meals as it works as an appetizer due to its high fibre content. Yes, Cucumber can be eaten on an empty stomach especially before lunch because it works as an appetizer.

Which is healthier, tomato or cucumber? ›

Tomatoes are higher in immune-boosting vitamin C than cucumbers. They are a good source of vitamin K, which ensures that blood can clot so wounds heal properly. The lycopene in tomatoes can help to keep the prostate gland healthy. Tomato skin contains the antioxidant naringenin, which fights inflammation.

What is Jerusalem salad made of? ›

Jerusalem salad is a refreshing dish typically made of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onions. It often includes fresh herbs like parsley and mint to add flavor and vibrancy.

What does Israeli food consist of? ›

Geography has a large influence on Israeli cuisine, and foods common in the Mediterranean region, such as olives, wheat, chickpeas, dairy products, fish, and vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, and zucchini are prominent in Israeli cuisine.

What is the most popular salad ingredients? ›

A typical salad starts with raw greens, such as lettuce, spinach, kale, mixed greens or arugula. However, you can also add several other raw vegetables. Some popular raw veggie toppings include chopped carrots, onions, cucumbers, celery, mushrooms and broccoli.

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