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shopska salad

Authentic Bulgarian Shopska Salad

A refreshing and vibrant Bulgarian salad featuring crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, red onions and crumbled feta cheese. This traditional Mediterranean dish is perfect as a side or light meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Green Salads
Cuisine: Bulgarian
Calories: 175

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 2 large cucumbers diced into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 3 medium tomatoes ripe but firm, chopped
  • 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
  • 200 g feta cheese crumbled (Bulgarian sirene cheese if available)
  • 1 small green bell pepper diced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped (optional)
For the Dressing
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice optional
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano optional
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Small bowl for dressing
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Wash all vegetables thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Dice the cucumbers into 1/2-inch pieces, leaving the skin on for extra texture and nutrients.
  3. Chop the tomatoes into chunks similar in size to the cucumbers.
  4. Thinly slice the red onion into half-moons. If desired, soak in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce sharpness.
  5. If using, dice the green bell pepper and chop the fresh parsley.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and bell pepper if using.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice (if using), oregano (if using), salt, and pepper.
  8. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to combine.
  9. Add most of the crumbled feta cheese and toss once more, very gently.
  10. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle the remaining feta cheese on top for the traditional "snow-capped" appearance.
  11. If using parsley, sprinkle on top as garnish.
  12. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

  • For authentic flavor, use Bulgarian sirene cheese if you can find it, otherwise Greek feta works well.
  • Make sure to use the freshest vegetables possible for the best flavor and texture.
  • This salad is best served fresh, as the vegetables can become soggy if left too long.
  • To make ahead, store all components separately and assemble just before serving.
  • For a lower sodium version, reduce the amount of feta cheese or use a low-sodium variety.