Ina Garten’s Fresh Israeli Salad Recipe: A Zesty Summer Delight

Vibrant Israeli salad bursts with Mediterranean sunshine, capturing the essence of fresh, zesty ingredients that dance together in perfect harmony.

Bold flavors leap from crisp vegetables, creating a colorful palette that reflects culinary traditions passed through generations.

Hearty chickpeas add robust texture, transforming this simple dish into a nutritious powerhouse that satisfies deeply.

Tangy herbs and spices weave complex notes throughout each bright, crunchy bite, delivering an explosive taste experience.

Aromatic elements whisper stories of cultural connection, inviting you to savor every refreshing forkful.

Balanced and light, this salad represents more than just a side dish – it’s a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients: dive in and enjoy!

What Makes Israeli Salad So Fresh and Crisp

• Create a Vibrant Mediterranean Masterpiece: This Israeli salad bursts with fresh, colorful ingredients that transform a simple dish into a stunning centerpiece for any meal.
• Celebrate Texture-Rich Flavor Explosion: The creamy hummus provides a silky base while crisp vegetables add delightful crunch, creating a perfect balance of smooth and textured bites.
• Quick and Easy Crowd-Pleaser: With just minimal chopping and processing, this recipe delivers maximum flavor in under 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy home cooks who want impressive results without complicated techniques.
• No-Fuss Entertaining Magic: Designed to be served at room temperature, this dish allows hosts to prepare everything in advance, ensuring stress-free entertaining with a restaurant-quality presentation that will wow guests.

What You’ll Need for a Simple Israeli Salad

Main Ingredients:

Vegetable Base: – Cucumber, Tomatoes, Bell Pepper, Red Onion: Fresh, crisp vegetables that provide a colorful and crunchy foundation for the salad, best when ripe and seasonal.

Hummus Components: – Chickpeas, Tahini: Protein-rich base that creates a creamy, smooth spread with authentic Middle Eastern flavor, choose high-quality tahini for best results.

Seasoning Blend: – Lemon Juice, Garlic, Cumin, Sriracha, Salt, Black Pepper: Essential aromatics and spices that add depth, heat, and brightness to the dish, fresh garlic provides the most intense flavor.

Additional Ingredients:

Herb Garnish: – Mint: Fresh herb that adds a cool, bright note and visual appeal to the salad, select vibrant green leaves without wilting.

Liquid Components: – Olive Oil, Warm Water: Helps achieve smooth consistency and adds richness, use extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.

Serving Accompaniment: – Pita Bread: Traditional bread for scooping and complementing the salad, warm pita enhances the overall dining experience.

How to Prepare Israeli Salad the Ina Way

Step 1: Blend Creamy Hummus Base

• Chickpeas
• Tahini
• Lemon juice
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Sriracha
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Pulse until super smooth. If the mixture seems too thick, splash in some warm water to create a dreamy, spreadable consistency.

Step 2: Chop Fresh Veggie Medley

• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Bell pepper
• Red onion

Toss everything into a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Dress the Vegetable Mixture

• Olive oil
• Remaining lemon juice
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently mix until every piece is lovingly coated.

Step 4: Create a Stunning Platter

Spread the silky hummus across a large serving platter, creating a slight raised border.

Step 5: Layer the Salad

Use a slotted spoon to carefully mound the vegetable mixture on top of the hummus. Let the creamy edges peek out for a gorgeous presentation.

Step 6: Garnish and Finish

Sprinkle chopped mint over the top. Add an extra pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Bring the platter to the table with warm pita bread. Serve at room temperature for maximum flavor explosion.

Tips for Chopping and Balancing Flavors

• Choose Crisp Veggies: Select firm, fresh cucumbers and tomatoes to prevent a soggy salad texture and ensure maximum crunch.
• Season Strategically: Sprinkle salt just before serving to maintain the vegetables' crisp structure and prevent excess water release.
• Customize Herb Flavors: Swap mint with fresh parsley, cilantro, or a combination to adapt the salad's aromatic profile based on personal taste or ingredient availability.
• Control Spice Levels: Modify Sriracha amount to suit your heat preference, reducing or eliminating it and potentially adding mild paprika for subtle warmth.
• Perfect Hummus Consistency: Gradually incorporate warm water while blending to achieve a smooth, creamy texture that's neither too thick nor runny.

Storing Your Israeli Salad the Right Way

• Vacuum Seal Method: Protect the salad's crisp texture by using a vacuum sealer. Remove excess air to prevent moisture buildup, which can quickly degrade vegetable quality. This technique extends freshness and maintains the salad's original crunch for up to 48 hours.
• Glass Container Storage: Transfer salad to a clean, wide-mouthed glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Separate wet ingredients from dry components to prevent sogginess. Glass containers prevent flavor transfer and keep vegetables crisper compared to plastic alternatives.
• Quick Consumption Strategy: Enjoy the israeli salad within 24 hours for optimal taste and texture. Prepare smaller portions to ensure maximum freshness and reduce potential food waste. Chop vegetables just before serving to maintain their vibrant color and nutritional integrity.

Colorful Twists on the Israeli Classic

• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace some vegetables with roasted zucchini, eggplant, and artichoke hearts for a deeper, smoky flavor profile.
• Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken or crumbled feta cheese to enhance protein content and create a more substantial meal.
• Spicy Harissa Kick: Swap Sriracha with harissa paste in the hummus and sprinkle za'atar spice blend over the salad for an authentic Middle Eastern heat.
• Green Garden Remix: Substitute red onion with scallions and add fresh herbs like parsley and dill for a brighter, more herbaceous taste experience.

Israeli Salad Recap: Fresh and Easy

Mediterranean charm radiates from Ina Garten’s Israeli salad, blending creamy hummus with crisp vegetables.

Fresh ingredients dance across ceramic platters, telling stories of vibrant Middle Eastern cuisine.

Tangy lemon juice mingles with sharp red onions and sweet tomatoes, creating complex flavor profiles.

Mediterranean textures emerge through carefully layered components, connecting culinary traditions.

Garden-fresh herbs whisper elegance across each carefully crafted bite.

Mediterranean magic awaits when readers embrace this simple yet sophisticated recipe – share this culinary journey, comment with passion, and spread deliciousness across social platforms!

Ina Garten Israeli Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Fresh Mediterranean flavors dance through this crisp Israeli salad, inspired by Ina Garten’s classic recipe. Diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions mingle with zesty herbs, creating a refreshing side dish you’ll crave all summer long.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (1 pound 13 ounces / 794 grams) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) tahini (ground sesame paste)
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) chopped garlic (9 cloves)

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 to 6 lemons)
• 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon sriracha
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Good olive oil

Garnish and Accompaniments:

• 1 large hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, halved, seeded, and ½-inch diced
• 2 cups heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
• 1 cup (½-inch-diced) Holland red bell pepper (1 large)
• ¾ cup (¼-inch-diced) red onion
• ½ cup julienned fresh mint leaves
• Toasted pita bread

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Instructions

1. Combine chickpeas, tahini, 180 milliliters () lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, Sriracha sauce, 30 milliliters () olive oil, 15 grams () salt, and 5 grams () black pepper in a food processor.
2. Blend ingredients until achieving a completely smooth, velvety consistency. If mixture appears too thick, gradually incorporate warm water to create a creamy, spreadable texture.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, gently toss diced cucumber, chopped tomatoes, sliced bell pepper, and finely chopped red onion.
4. Drizzle 80 milliliters () olive oil over the vegetable mixture, add remaining 60 milliliters () lemon juice, 10 grams () salt, and 5 grams () black pepper. Thoroughly mix ingredients to ensure even seasoning.
5. Select a large serving platter (approximately 30 × 40 centimeters or 12 × 16 inches) and artfully spread the hummus, creating a slight raised border around the edges.
6. Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the seasoned vegetable salad onto the hummus, allowing the hummus edges to remain visible.
7. Garnish the dish with freshly chopped mint leaves and a light sprinkle of additional salt for enhanced flavor.
8. Finish by delicately drizzling extra olive oil over the top and serve at ambient temperature alongside warm pita bread.

Notes

• Personalize your salad’s flavor profile by experimenting with different herb combinations that complement your taste preferences.
• Prevent soggy textures by carefully selecting and preparing crisp, high-quality vegetables that maintain their crunch.
• Balance heat levels strategically by gradually adding Sriracha, allowing each person to control their spice intensity.
• Enhance the salad’s freshness by chopping ingredients just before mixing to preserve their vibrant colors and nutritional value.
• Master the art of seasoning by adding salt at the last moment to maintain the vegetables’ perfect texture and prevent excess moisture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Israeli

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 300 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg