When most people think of a Turkish salad, they picture the classic kebab shop side — shredded red cabbage, cucumber, tomato, and maybe a pickled chilli or two. But in Turkish cuisine, salad is so much more than that. From fresh tomato and onion salads to spicy pickles and white cabbage and black eyed bean salads, there’s a world of colour and flavour to explore.
Here are our top tips for making your Turkish salads pop — fresh, vibrant, and packed with taste.
1. Use Fresh Herbs – They Make the Salad!
Our number one salad tip? Fresh herbs. They’re what take a Turkish salad from good to unforgettable.
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Mint adds an unbeatable freshness and works with nearly every type of salad.
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Parsley is our go-to for red cabbage salads.
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Coriander pairs beautifully with white cabbage.
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Basil makes an amazing addition to our black eyed bean salad.
Each herb brings a different flavour profile, so feel free to experiment and mix them up.
2. Slice Cabbage Super Fine
No one wants chunky, tough cabbage. The secret to a great cabbage-based salad is thin slicing.
🥬 Use the slicer side of a grater or a mandoline to shred your cabbage nice and fine. This helps it soak up the dressing and makes it much easier to eat.
3. Only Use Fresh, Ripe Ingredients
Turkish salads are simple — which means every ingredient has to shine. A mealy tomato or underripe cucumber just won’t do. Use fresh, ripe produce for the best flavour and texture.
4. Shake Your Dressing Well
We don’t use any additives or emulsifiers in our Turkish Salad Dressing, so always give it a really good shake before every use — the lemon, vinegar, oil and spices naturally separate in the bottle.
Our dressing is made the traditional way — sharp with lemon and vinegar, balanced with a touch of honey for sweetness, and layered with sumac & seasoning.
🕒 Don’t dress your salad more than 20 minutes before serving, or it can go soggy. If you’re prepping ahead of time, chop everything and store it undressed in the fridge until you’re ready.
5. Experiment with Add-Ins
Salads should never be boring. One of the best things about Turkish salads is how versatile they are. We love:
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White beans or black eyed beans for protein and texture
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Chopped gherkins for a vinegary punch
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Sumac onions, pickled chillies, or even pomegranate seeds for contrast
There’s no one right way — just start with fresh, flavourful ingredients and go from there.
6. Get Inspired
Looking for new Turkish salad ideas? From tangy tomato salads to herby bean bowls and crunchy cabbage sides, we’ve got you covered.
👉 Explore our Salad Recipes
👉 Shop Our Turkish Salad Dressing
Fresh. Simple. Packed with flavour.
That’s the Turkish way.
