Turkish Shepherd's Salad Recipe

Çoban Salatası, also known as Shepherd's Salad, holds a special place in the hearts of Turkey and Greece, especially during the bountiful summer months when tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers are at their sweetest. This effortless salad requires minimal effort beyond peeling and chopping. It's delicately dressed with a basic blend of oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper, and then adorned with feta cheese and black olives for a delightful finish.

While it requires some preparation like peeling the tomatoes, seeding the bell peppers, and chopping the vegetables uniformly, these steps enhance the dish's taste and appearance. Adding chopped red onion not only introduces a pop of purple but also extra flavor.

A delightful departure from traditional mixed greens, this revitalizing salad pairs wonderfully with summer cookouts, potlucks, grilled steak, and chicken. It's also an excellent accompaniment to a Mediterranean spread featuring chicken kebabs, bulgur pilaf, and lamb gyros. Given its resemblance to vegetable salads across the Middle East, it harmonizes beautifully with dishes like chicken shawarma and falafel.

Ingredients

• 2 large tomatoes

• 2 medium cucumbers

• 1 green bell pepper

• 1 small red onion, optional

• 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parsley, with extra for garnishing
  

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

• Salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese, or alternatively, Turkish white cheese
  

• Turkish or Greek black olives, for garnish

Steps to Make It

01.  Collect all the necessary ingredients.

02.  Clean and dry the vegetables thoroughly. Use a sharp paring knife to peel the tomatoes and dice them into cubes, taking care to avoid crushing the flesh.

03.  Eliminate the stems and seeds from the pepper. If you choose to include them, peel the cucumbers and red onion. Then, dice all the vegetables into cubes of approximately the same size as the tomatoes.

04.  Place all the diced vegetables into a serving bowl, add the chopped parsley, and gently toss everything together using your fingers.

05.  In a clean jar or sealed container, mix together the oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper thoroughly by shaking. Drizzle this mixture over the salad and gently toss to combine.

06.  Place the feta, black olives, and an extra sprinkle of chopped parsley on top of the salad.

07.  Give the salad a few moments to settle before serving. Pair it with pita or crusty bread to fully appreciate the flavors soaked in the dressing.

Ways to Serve Shepherd's Salad

• Apart from serving çoban salatası as a side dish, you can also use this salad as a filling for sandwiches like vegetarian pita wraps, chicken souvlaki, and falafel.

Recipe Variation

• Swap out the lemon juice for 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar.
• For added heat, opt for a spicy pepper like serrano instead of the bell pepper.