Arabic salad سلطة is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy fresh flavors made up of a variety of crisp greens, colorful vegetables and a tangy dressing. It's a versatile side dish that can be customized to your taste.
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What is Arabic Salad?
Arabic salad is a traditional Middle Eastern dish that is typically made with a combination of sliced lettuce, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, parsley, mint, and a dressing made from freshly squeezed lemon juice and olive oil.
Known for its refreshing and simple flavors, and is often served as a side dish to a variety of Middle Eastern meals.
The ingredients used can vary depending on produce availability, and some variations include the addition of capsicums (bell peppers), olives, or radish.
It is typically seasoned with salt and pepper, and is served chilled.
In Arabic is is referred to as "salata" or "sulta" or "slata" سلطة depending on the country / region.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Notes on some of the ingredients, the full list of ingredients and their measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Always select the freshest veggies and herbs to make this salad, this way it will be crisp.
Arabic Salad Dressing
Extra virgin olive oil, if you are on an oil free diet, simply leave this out.
Fresh lemon juice for sourness and to build flavor, I always avoid store-bought juice.
Salt and pepper to taste.
The above dressing ingredients are the basics of a Lebanese dressing.
Variations
Additional ingredients such as capsicums (bell peppers), spring onions, red cabbage, pomegranate and my favorite, radish.
Freshly chopped dill is also commonly used, however, I don't like itit so I leave it out.
How to Make Arabic Salad
Dice the veggies into uniform pieces and roughly slice the herbs.
In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, parsley, and mint.
In a small bowl, whisk together the Arabic salad dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Serve cold.
Serving Suggestions
Try it with mujadara, a famous Lebanese lentil and rice dish, mujadara safra (red lentils and rice) or with vegan shish tawook tofu skewers.
It also pairs well with this mouthwatering Lebanese lentils and pasta dish called Rishtaya or with these savory Lebanese purslane pastries.
I also like it as a side to my vegan sweet potato and zucchini fritters or Lebanese green beans braised in oil.
Janelle's Tip
If you would like to make this ahead of time, prepare and chop the vegetables, and herbs and store them separately in sealed containers in the fridge.
Whisk the dressing and store it in the fridge also in a sealed container. When you are ready, combine ingredients up to 30 minutes prior to serving.
More Middle Eastern Recipes
Try fattoush salad, featuring toasted pita bread, taboule the famous Lebanese parsley salata, you can read about the differences between fattoush vs tabbouleh.
Quinoa tabouli, easy rocca salad or tomato and onion salad with sumac are three other Lebanese salads.
My vegan couscous salad is substantially satisfying.
Or for something creamy, try my Lebanese tahini salad, it's so underrated! Or this creamy butter beans salad.
Did you make this? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with a ★★★★★ rating or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.
Recipe
Easy Arabic Salad سلطة
Ingredients
- ¼ medium iceberg lettuce sliced
- 2 medium tomatoes diced
- 2 medium cucumbers diced
- ½ small red onion diced
- ¼ cup Parsley leaves sliced
Arabic salad dressing
- ½ teaspoon dried mint or 2 tablespoons sliced mint leaves
- ½ medium lemon juiced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin, see notes
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onion and parsley.¼ medium iceberg lettuce, 2 medium tomatoes, 2 medium cucumbers, ½ small red onion, ¼ cup Parsley leaves
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Serve cold.½ teaspoon dried mint, ½ medium lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
Video
Notes
Nutrition
N.B., nutrition info is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. This will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
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Jade
Hey Janelle, I know you like to not include or reduce your oil in your recipes, but I couldnt resist adding more, like my mama used to do. I love the left over dressing in the bowl which I drinnk up. I love this salad.
Janelle Hama
sounds like my son, he loves slurping the end dressing too. YUM!
Julianne
This was the perfect salad for summer, so light and refreshing! I really love adding mint to salads too!
Shelby
This salad is just so light and fresh! I love that I had most of the ingredients in my garden too. A great way to use them up.
Ali
This salad was so delicious and so easy to make - I love how the mint shows up here, too!! So refreshing and fantastic with your mjadara recipe
Janice
This easy Arabic salad was so delicious! I love how the ingredients complement each other well, plus the tangy dressing elevates its flavor! This recipe is a must-try!