Israeli Salad
Israeli Salad is an easy Middle Eastern salad recipe made from tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion and fresh herbs. When all those flavors and juices meld together, you’ve got yourself one tasty and healthy salad to enjoy.
Want to know what I love about an Israeli Salad? It’s simple, fresh, flavorful and nutritious. With just a handful of ingredients and a good amount of herbs, you’ve got an amazing salad that pairs beautifully with any meal.
Last year I spent two weeks in Israel and was so inspired by the cuisine. Everything I ate was veggie-heavy with vibrant color and bold flavors. My stomach was in heaven and I felt more energized than I had in ages. And guess what I had on repeat the entire trip? A simple Israeli salad.
Israeli salad is a common recipe served at lunch or dinner, but I also frequently saw it served at breakfast buffets. Veggies for breakfast? Yes please. And let me tell you, Tel Aviv has some of the best breakfast buffets around.
Israeli Salad Ingredients
The beauty of this salad is its simplicity. It’s very similar to a Greek Salad, minus the cheese and with an Israeli spin.
- Tomatoes: Grab some bright red Roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber: Persian cucumbers are ideal, but English cucumbers also work.
- Bell Pepper: I’m using orange bell pepper to spruce up the color, but any color bell pepper will work.
- Red Onion: For that sweeter flavor, red onion can’t be beat in salads.
- Parsley and Mint: Israeli food is all about the fresh herbs and this salad recipe is no different
- Lemon Juice and Olive Oil: For that splash of acid and bright flavor to help everything meld together.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to your taste.
Once all of your ingredients are chopped up, just add them to a mixing bowl, drizzle with the lemon juice and olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Then stir and enjoy. Yep, it’s that easy.
Extra Salad Tips
- Chop everything bite sized: It’s best when all of the vegetables are diced about the same size. It makes it easier to get a variety of vegetables on one fork together.
- Add extra spices: Feel free to adapt this recipe and add a sprinkle of traditional Middle Eastern spices, like sumac or za’atar. Or keep it simple, it’s delicious either way.
- Let it sit: You can serve this salad right away, but it’s also great if you let it sit for a couple of hours. The flavors will just enhance. In fact, you can store it for up to 2 days in the fridge.
What to Serve with This Salad?
Serve this salad as a side dish to accompany your favorite protein or as part of a mezze platter with some of my favorite Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes, such as…
- Baba Ganoush
- Hummus
- Falafel
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Lentil Salad with Cucumber
- Cauliflower Rice Tabbouleh
- Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower
If you try this recipe and love it, make sure to let me know in the comments below!
Israeli Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 2 cups diced cucumber
- 1 cup orange bell pepper, or any color
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/3 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tbsp finely chopped mint
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Loved that this was a little bit different from the growing popularity of cucumber, onion, and tomato together. I loved the use of the orange bell pepper!! So refreshing!
This was so good. And easy. I can’t wait to try some of the other summer salad recipes. I didn’t change a thing.
SO delicious and refreshing! I modified this a bit based off of what I have available, adding additional spices/herbs to preference, and it did NOT disappoint. (I did add a clove of garlic but would HIGHLY recommend mincing it versus microplaning… otherwise it’s just really potent!)
I’ve yet to be disappointed with any Downshiftology recipes, and I’m looking forward to trying more. Thanks, Lisa!
Very easy aromaticnand flavorful and healthy. Love it
So flavorful and refreshing!
Glad you enjoyed this Israeli salad Jess!
loved the combination – perfect refresher in this summer heat. 5-Stars!
Glad you enjoyed this Israeli salad!
This is marvellous and takes me back to my own trip to Israel a few years ago. Thank you once again for creating a delicious and simple salad👏
Glad this recipe brought back some nostalgia :)
I found this recipe about 10 days ago and have had it every day since!! I just love the bite size veggies and have modified it a little from time to time although its perfect as is. Some days I add a little celery or 1/2 carrot chopped. I also tried red wine vinegar and that works well too. Each summer I have cucumber salad of some sort almost every day. This is such a delicious recipe, thanks so much!!
Hi Marlene- So glad you love this recipe! It definitely is the perfect salad for warm summer days :)
Such a fresh salad. Love this one
Hi Gina – Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed this salad.
So bright and fresh tasting on its own or as a colorful side dish!
Hi Ashley – It’s one of my favorite refreshing sides or small salad :) Happy you enjoyed this one!
This is the best salad! It goes perfect as a side dish to anything, but it’s also so refreshing by itself. Also so much flavor in each bite makes it perfect for a Whole30 compliant dish! Maximum flavor with minimum ingredients.
This is the best salad! It goes perfect as a side dish to anything, but it’s also so refreshing by itself. Also so much flavor in each bite makes it perfect for a Whole30 compliant dish! Maximum flavor with minimum ingredients.
Hi Gary – This also is one of my favorite simple salads :) Happy you enjoyed it!
This is so simple yet delicious, great on its own or as a side dish to Lisa’s falafel recipe.
Hi Kiara – Glad you love this recipe :) It does indeed taste amazing alongside my falafels!
The perfect compliment to her falafel recipe. DELISH!
Hi Becky – So glad you enjoyed this salad :) It really rounds out the meal with my falafels!
I have been to Israel a few times, and I also loved the food there. I completely agree with you. This simple salad cut into equal cubes with added mint/parsley combo looks delicious. Nothing is complicated, but it is the BEST!
So glad you loved this recipe Irina!
What type of mint is best in the recipe? I have peppermint growing in my garden.
Hi Linda – You can use any type of mint, but I used spearmint!
Lisa, the falafel look amazing!
Given that cilantro makes me gag (literally …. it tastes like soap to me!), can I just use all parsley? What would you recommend?
Thanks!
Hi Judith – yes, you can leave the cilantro out. I wouldn’t double up on the parsley, just keep the original amount. Hope you love them! :)
I’m from Tel-Aviv! So excited you enjoyed your visit and the food. We have a beautiful spice called Za’atar that goes amazingly with this salad. Usually can be found in Arab/Israeli grocery shops. LOVE YOUR CHANNEL!
Hi Maya – yes, za’atar is wonderful! I enjoyed it on so many different recipes while I was traveling throughout Israel. :) I’m happy you love my recipes and videos!
Lisa I am so sorry for your loss. May Beautiful memories sustain you in your time of grief and healing! Your father was blessed in his life especially to have a daughter like you!
Thank you for reminding me of the Israeli salad. I enjoyed it many times on my trips to Israel and will enjoy it tonight in the heat of South Carolina.
Hi Gayle – Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the Israeli salad and hope it brings back happy memories of your trip!
This looks yummy, Lisa! I’ll be making it this afternoon, as it will be so refreshing in our 112 degree heat today (Phoenix, AZ)!
On a personal note, Lisa, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. Such a big loss. My hope is that you have some wonderful memories of times with him to cherish forever. Big hug.
Thanks so much Jeri Ann! I really appreciate your kind words. I have lots of wonderful memories to cherish. :) Enjoy the salad and I hope it helps to cool you down!
Lisa, let me first say how sorry I am to hear of your fathers passing. Having lost my dad in 2014 & then my mom this past year I understand & empathize with you. As for this recipe it hit my inbox at just the right time. I was trying to think of a way to use up the ends from my spirilizing. I had saved ends from cucumber & peppers. This was the perfect way to use them for lunch today. Thanks and keep the recipes coming.
Thanks so much Laura for your compassion and kind words. I’m sorry for your loss as well. It’s so incredibly difficult to lose parents, isn’t it? I’m glad this recipe hit at the right time and you were able to make use of your veggies. Enjoy!
This is a Shirazi salad. It’s enjoyed across the world, I’m sure including by Persian Israelis, but this is a very Persian dish…
Yes, I’m sure similar salads are found throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East. Love the focus on fresh veggies and herbs in all those countries. :)
I was thinking the same thing. It’s probably best not to call this “Israeli” salad because it comes across as disrespectful. The Middle East isn’t just one homogenous mass that all serve the same salad.
You are a very smart individual.
Hi love your website and YouTube channel, I was wondering if you have recipes for overnight oats
Hi Chris – Thanks so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying my recipes and videos. I don’t have a recipe for overnight oats yet, but I will in the future! :)
This was a great salad!! Will make again for sure, thank you
Yay, I’m glad you loved the recipe. Thanks Noelle!
Recipes like this one, fresh & easy, are just what my busy Summer months need! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
I agree! I’m all about the fresh, juicy, cooling salads during the hot summer months. :) Hope you enjoy the recipe Beth!
This salad is gorgeous and you can tell just by looking at it that it is bursting with flavor! Can’t wait to make this weekend!
I hope you enjoy the recipe Emily! Let me know how it turns out. :)
This is probably my favorite summer salad!
Mine too! It’s nice and cooling on those hot summer days. :) Enjoy!