Side DishSalad

Çoban Salatasi

Name: Çoban Salatasi
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: turkish
Ingredients: 1 pcs cucumber finely diced; 2 pcs tomato finely diced; 1 pcs green bell pepper finely diced; 0.5 pcs red onion finely diced; 0.25 cup fresh parsley finely chopped; 2 tbsp fresh mint finely chopped; 3 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed; 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground; 0.5 tsp sumac (optional)

Experience the vibrant flavors of Turkey with this refreshing Çoban Salatasi, or Shepherd's Salad. Finely diced, crisp vegetables like cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper are tossed in a bright, zesty lemon and extra virgin olive oil dressing, creating a light and herbaceous side dish perfect for any meal.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time: 15 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Per serving: 133 kcal

VeganVegetarianGluten-free

Mise en place

Ingredients

1 pcscucumber, finely diced
2 pcstomato, finely diced
1 pcsgreen bell pepper, finely diced
0.5 pcsred onion, finely diced
0.25 cupfresh parsley, finely chopped
2 tbspfresh mint, finely chopped

dressing

3 tbsplemon juice, freshly squeezed
3 tbspextra virgin olive oil
0.5 tspsalt
0.25 tspblack pepper, freshly ground

garnish

0.5 tspsumac(optional)

Equipment

Chef's knife · Cutting board · Large mixing bowl · Small mixing bowl · Whisk · Measuring spoons · Measuring cups · Tongs or large spoons (optional)

The method

Step by step

1
Wash and thoroughly dry all fresh produce: cucumber, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, fresh parsley, and fresh mint.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Ensuring vegetables are dry helps the dressing adhere better and prevents a watery salad.
2
Finely dice the cucumber, tomatoes, and green bell pepper into small, uniform pieces, approximately 1/4-inch cubes.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Uniform dicing ensures every bite has a balanced mix of flavors and textures, which is characteristic of a traditional Çoban Salatasi.
3
Peel and finely dice the red onion into small pieces.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: For a milder onion flavor, you can rinse the diced red onion under cold water for a minute and then pat it completely dry before adding to the salad.
4
Finely chop the fresh parsley and fresh mint leaves.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Use a sharp chef's knife for clean cuts, which helps preserve the herbs' delicate flavors and aromas.
5
Combine the diced cucumber, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, chopped parsley, and chopped mint in a large mixing bowl.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Choose a bowl large enough to comfortably toss the salad without spillage.
6
In a small separate bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Taste the dressing on its own to ensure the balance of acidity and salt is to your liking before adding it to the vegetables.
7
Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the chopped vegetables in the large mixing bowl.
About 1 min
8
Gently toss the salad with tongs or two large spoons until all the vegetables are thoroughly coated with the dressing.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Toss just until combined to avoid bruising the delicate vegetables.
9
Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt, lemon juice, or black pepper to your preference.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: A pinch more salt can often brighten all the flavors in the salad.
10
Serve the Çoban Salatasi immediately, optionally garnishing with a sprinkle of sumac for an extra tangy, slightly citrusy note.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: While best enjoyed fresh, this salad can sit for up to 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld slightly.

Per serving

Nutrition

75%Score

Calories: 133kcal
Protein: 1.8g
Carbs: 9.9g
Fat: 10.5g
Fibre: 2.5g
Sugar: 5.4g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Cook’s note:

Çoban Salatasi is a versatile salad that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats like kebabs, roasted chicken, or fish. For a heartier version, consider adding crumbled feta cheese or chickpeas. A sprinkle of fresh pomegranate seeds in season also adds a beautiful pop of color and tartness. Serve alongside warm pita bread or crusty artisanal bread to soak up the delicious dressing.

Storage

Store leftover Çoban Salatasi in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The vegetables may release more liquid over time, making the salad slightly less crisp.

Reheating

This salad is best enjoyed cold and fresh; reheating is not recommended as it will alter the texture of the fresh vegetables.