Turkish Shepherd's Salad (Çoban Salatası)

Jane Crompton

Turkish Shepherd’s Salad, or Çoban Salatası, is a refreshing, vibrant dish that epitomizes Mediterranean simplicity. This salad, commonly found on Turkish tables, is made with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and sweet peppers, all tossed with fresh herbs and a bright lemon-olive oil dressing. Perfect as a side dish for grilled meats or as a light meal, this salad is bursting with freshness and flavor.

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Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Course Salad

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings bowls

Calories 141 kcal

Equipment

Cutting board
Chef's Knife
Mixing bowl
Salad tongs

Ingredients

For the Salad:

4 medium tomatoes diced; preferably ripe and juicy
2 medium Persian cucumbers diced; or use 1 English cucumber
1 small red onion thinly sliced
1 medium green bell pepper diced; or use a more traditional Turkish green pepper
¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
¼ cup fresh mint leaves optional; finely chopped

For the Dressing:

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil use high-quality olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice about 1 medium lemon, freshly squeezed
½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper for best flavor

Instructions

Wash and dry all fresh produce before chopping.
Dice the tomatoes and cucumbers into small, uniform pieces.
Thinly slice the red onion and dice the green bell pepper.
Finely chop the parsley and, if using, the mint leaves.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and bell pepper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
Let the salad rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to develop before serving.

Notes

For an added touch, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese or black olives before serving.
Adjust salt and lemon juice to taste, depending on the ripeness of your tomatoes.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 303mgPotassium: 471mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1601IUVitamin C: 52mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg

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