Israeli Salad (Chopped Cucumber, Tomato and Herb Salad)

About This Recipe

Israeli Salad is a real, traditional Israeli dish, known as Chopped Cucumber, Tomato and Herb Salad. Finely diced cucumber and tomato tossed with olive oil, lemon and fresh herbs, a bright, essential side at nearly every Israeli meal.\n\nIsraeli salad developed among early Jewish settlers in Palestine in the early 20th century, drawing on similar chopped salads found across the Levant, and it became a foundational everyday dish served at breakfast, lunch and dinner alike.\n\nThe result is a dish worth making on its own merits: it rewards patience with the technique and delivers real, specific flavor rooted in Israeli home cooking, not a generic stand-in for a search term.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 4tomatoes(finely diced)
• 3cucumbers(finely diced)
• 0.5red onion(finely diced)
• 3 tbspolive oil
• 2 tbsplemon juice
• 1 tspfine sea salt(to taste)
• 3 tbspchopped fresh parsley
• 2 tbspchopped fresh mint(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Dice finely

   Dice the tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion into very small, uniform pieces, roughly the size of small peas.

2. 2

   Combine

   Toss the diced vegetables together in a large bowl.

3. 3

   Dress

   Add olive oil, lemon juice and salt, tossing well to coat everything evenly.

4. 4

   Add herbs

   Fold in fresh parsley and mint if using.

5. 5

   Rest briefly

   Let the salad sit for 10 minutes so the flavors meld slightly.

6. 6

   Serve

   Serve at room temperature alongside nearly any main dish, from grilled meats to hummus and pita.

Variations

• •

  Add crumbled feta cheese for a heartier, creamier version.

• •

  Some households add diced bell pepper for extra color and crunch.

• •

  A version with pomegranate seeds scattered on top adds a burst of sweetness, popular in autumn.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or stock to loosen the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions