Salata Arabiya: Exploring the Classic Arabic Salad

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Delight in the refreshing flavors of Salata Arabiya with this easy-to-follow recipe. Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and zesty red onions harmonize in a vibrant salad that bursts with freshness.

Arabic Salad, also known as Salata Arabiya, has held a special place in my heart since my childhood to the present. This timeless classic, lovingly prepared by my mother, remains a favorite. It’s a dish that effortlessly combines refreshing elements and tantalizing flavors, making it a delightful addition to any meal.

At its core, Arabic Salad features a triumvirate of juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and zesty red onions. These ingredients consistently take center stage, making it my go-to side dish for any occasion.

Exploring Salata Arabiya (Arabic Salad)

Salata Arabiya, or Arabic Salad or Salata Baladi, is a refreshing medley of diced vegetables. This salad highlights the crispness and lightness of chopped cucumbers, infusing it with a unique and revitalizing flavor.

What truly distinguishes Salata Arabiya is its beautifully simple olive oil-based dressing, which elevates the natural tastes of the ingredients without overpowering them. This salad holds a special place across the Middle East, celebrated by individuals from diverse cultures.

In Morocco, it often accompanies tagines, couscous, or grilled meats, adding a refreshing touch to the meal. Most Middle Eastern cuisines pair it with vibrant maqluba (an upside-down rice and vegetable dish) or serve it alongside moujadara. Moreover, Salata Arabiya makes a perfect topping for a falafel sandwich, introducing freshness to every bite.

Personalizing Your Salata Arabiya

The basic Salata Arabiya uses tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. Yet, its allure invites creativity. Craft a unique Arabic Salad with personal touches. Here’s a guide:

  • Start with Basics: Pick tomatoes you like, such as beefsteak or Roma. Each offers distinct flavors. Choose Persian or English cucumbers for crunch. Add sliced or diced red onions for flavor and color.
  • Add Variety: To enhance your Salata Arabiya, introduce slices or diced bell peppers in red, yellow, or green, or consider adding finely chopped green onions for a delicate yet vibrant flavor. Diced radishes also make a fantastic addition, offering a peppery bite and extra crispness.
  • Elevate with Olive Oil and Fresh Herbs: No Salata Arabiya is complete without a drizzle of good-quality olive oil. This enriches the flavors of your Arabic Salad with a fruity and smooth character and aligns with the healthy principles of Mediterranean cuisine. Don’t forget that fresh herbs like parsley and mint are staples in dishes like Salata Arabiya. While finely chopped Italian parsley adds brightness and vivid color, fresh mint leaves offer a soothing and refreshing touch.
How to Make Salata Arabiya: Exploring the Classic Arabic Salad

Preparation

1.
Start by dicing the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion into small, uniform pieces.
Mark as complete
2.
Chop the fresh parsley, mint, and green onions.
Combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and green onions in a large bowl.
Mark as complete
3.
Sprinkle the dry mint, salt, and pepper over the salad, adjusting the amounts according to your taste preferences.
Squeeze the juice of 2 lemons over the ingredients.
Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil on top.
Mark as complete
4.
Toss the salad gently to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed and coated with the dressing.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Serve the Salata Arabiya immediately and enjoy its refreshing flavors.
Mark as complete

Ingredients:

1X 2X 3X
Adjust Servings
5 large tomatoes
3 Persian cucumbers or one large English cucumber
½ red onion
1 cup Italian parsley
1 cup fresh mint
3 green onions
1 tablespoon dry mint
Salt and pepper
2 lemons juiced
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
For the dressing:
Juice of 2 lemons
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1
Start by dicing the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion into small, uniform pieces.
2
Chop the fresh parsley, mint, and green onions. Combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and green onions in a large bowl.
3
Sprinkle the dry mint, salt, and pepper over the salad, adjusting the amounts according to your taste preferences. Squeeze the juice of 2 lemons over the ingredients. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil on top.
4
Toss the salad gently to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed and coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the Salata Arabiya immediately and enjoy its refreshing flavors.

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

Storage Recommendation:

To maintain the freshness and quality of Salata Arabiya, it is best enjoyed immediately after preparation. However, if you have leftovers, you can store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. It's important to note that the longer the salad sits, the softer the vegetables may become, and the flavors may intensify. For optimal freshness, it is recommended to chop the vegetables ahead of time and add the dressing just 15 minutes before serving. This will help retain the crispness of the ingredients and prevent them from becoming soggy. Remember to gently toss the salad before serving to redistribute the flavors.

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.

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