Crisp Israeli Salad Recipe: Ina Garten’s Sunny Garden Mix

Summer’s vibrant colors dance through this simple Israeli salad recipe that captures mediterranean freshness in every crisp bite.

Ina Garten’s approach brings elegant simplicity to a classic dish bursting with bright flavors and wholesome ingredients.

Each colorful vegetable combines into a refreshing medley that sings with zesty notes and clean textures.

The combination of ripe tomatoes, cool cucumbers, and sharp red onions creates a perfect balance of tastes and temperatures.

Chopped herbs add a verdant spark that elevates the entire salad from ordinary to extraordinary.

Serve this quick and delightful recipe as a bright side or light lunch that promises to refresh and delight.

You’ll love how easily this salad comes together with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Chopping Tools for Crisp Veggies, Israeli Style

• Food Processor: Essential for blending hummus ingredients into a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Large Bowl: Perfect for mixing and combining vegetables for the salad.
• Slotted Spoon: Helps drain excess liquid when transferring vegetables onto hummus.
• Large Serving Platter (12 × 16-inch): Provides ample space for beautifully presenting the hummus and salad.
• Knife: Needed for dicing cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onion.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for both hummus and salad.

Assembling Ina’s Bright & Crunchy Salad Step-by-Step

Fresh Mediterranean Salad Delight

• Hummus Foundation

Create a creamy, smooth hummus base using chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and warm spices in a food processor. Blend until silky and adjust consistency with water if needed.

• Vegetable Medley

Chop crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, vibrant bell peppers, and zesty red onion into small, uniform pieces for a colorful mix.

• Flavor Infusion

Dress the vegetable mixture with rich olive oil, tangy lemon juice, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Gently toss to blend flavors and create a harmonious blend.

• Artistic Plating

Spread the smooth hummus across a large serving platter, creating an elegant canvas with slightly raised edges.

• Final Touch

Carefully arrange the dressed vegetable mixture on top of the hummus, allowing the creamy base to peek through. Garnish with fresh mint leaves, an extra drizzle of olive oil, and a light salt sprinkle.

• Serving

Present at room temperature alongside warm pita bread for a delightful Mediterranean experience that celebrates fresh ingredients and bold flavors.

Tossing in Extras? Here Are Flavorful Options

• Israeli Salad Secrets
• Replace bell peppers with jalapeños for extra heat, or add radishes for a crisp crunch that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure each bite delivers balanced flavors and a professional-looking presentation that impresses guests.
• Drain vegetables after chopping to prevent watery hummus, using a colander or paper towels to remove excess moisture for a more concentrated taste.
• Experiment with herb combinations like adding fresh parsley or za'atar seasoning to introduce unexpected Middle Eastern depth to the classic salad.
• Prepare hummus and chop vegetables separately up to 24 hours in advance, storing them refrigerated to streamline meal preparation and enhance ingredient melding.

Ways to Plate & Serve This Fresh Israeli Mix

• Pair with Warm Pita: Tear fresh, warm pita bread into pieces and scoop up the salad for a delightful Mediterranean-style experience.
• Create a Mezze Spread: Arrange additional small dishes like olives, feta cheese, and marinated vegetables around the platter for a complete Middle Eastern feast.
• Add Protein Power: Top the salad with grilled chicken, lamb, or roasted chickpeas to transform it into a more substantial meal.
• Chill for Summer Dining: Serve slightly chilled on a hot day for a refreshing and cooling appetizer or light lunch option.

How to Keep It Crisp Until the Very Last Bite

• Quick Prep in Advance: Chop vegetables and make hummus up to 2 days before serving to save time during meal preparation.
• Refrigerate Smartly: Store hummus and chopped vegetables separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and crispness.
• Prevent Soggy Salad: Keep dressing separate from vegetables until just before serving to maintain the salad's crisp texture and vibrant flavors.
• Revive Leftovers: Gently remix salad ingredients and add a splash of fresh lemon juice to refresh the dish if stored overnight, bringing back its original zesty taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 6

What You Need for Ina Garten’s Israeli Salad

• Chickpeas: Creamy foundation that provides protein and earthy richness, choose organic or freshly cooked for best texture.
• Tahini: Nutty sesame paste that adds smooth depth, select pure, high-quality tahini with no additives.
• Garlic: Aromatic punch that elevates the hummus flavor, pick fresh, firm cloves without sprouts.
• Cumin: Warm spice that brings exotic undertones, use ground cumin for even distribution.
• Sriracha: Spicy kick that adds vibrant heat, adjust quantity based on personal heat tolerance.
• Olive Oil: Silky binder that creates luxurious consistency, opt for extra virgin for robust flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element that balances and lightens the spread, choose fresh-squeezed for zesty brightness.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning that enhances overall taste profile, use freshly ground for maximum impact.

• Cucumber, Tomatoes, Bell Pepper, Red Onion: Crisp, colorful mix that provides refreshing crunch and vibrant textures, select ripe, firm vegetables at peak freshness.
• Mint: Fresh herb that adds cooling, aromatic finishing touch, choose bright green leaves without wilting.

• Pita Bread: Classic accompaniment that complements the dish, select soft, pillowy bread for ideal dipping experience.

Vibrant Ina Garten Israeli Salad Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mediterranean Israeli salad celebrates fresh cucumber, tomato, and herbs with simple, zesty ingredients. Crisp vegetables and tangy lemon dressing make one refreshing side dish you’ll crave alongside grilled meats or as a light lunch companion.

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Ingredients

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• 1 (794 g / 1 lb 13 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup (240 ml) tahini
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) chopped garlic (9 cloves)
• 1 cup (240 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 to 6 lemons)
• 1½ tsps ground cumin
• ½ tsp sriracha
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• good olive oil
• 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. Preparation: Combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, Sriracha sauce, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a food processor, blending until achieving a smooth, velvety consistency. Adjust texture by incorporating warm water if needed.
2. Vegetable Composition: In a large mixing bowl, combine diced cucumber, chopped tomatoes, sliced bell pepper, and finely chopped red onion. Dress the vegetables with olive oil, additional lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, ensuring thorough and even seasoning.
3. Plating Technique: Select a spacious serving platter and spread the prepared hummus, creating a subtle raised border. Carefully transfer the seasoned vegetable mixture onto the hummus using a slotted spoon, allowing the hummus edges to remain visible.
4. Finishing Touches: Enhance the dish by garnishing with freshly chopped mint leaves, sprinkling additional salt, and drizzling extra olive oil over the top. Serve at room temperature accompanied by warm pita bread for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select ripe, firm tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and vibrant bell peppers for maximum flavor and texture in the salad.
• Precision in Cutting: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent flavor distribution and an aesthetically pleasing presentation.
• Balancing Seasoning: Adjust salt and lemon juice gradually, tasting as you go to achieve the perfect tangy and savory profile.
• Serving Temperature: Allow the dish to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg