Recipes

Shopska Salad

After you start reading the ingredients list, you may end up having a feeling that this is just a version of a Greek salad. However, this Shopska Salad originated in Bulgaria, which is close to Greece. It comes together quickly by combining diced tomatoes, diced cucumber, green bell pepper, and banana pepper with crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley. Tossed gently in a large mixing bowl with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and freshly ground pepper, it is a refreshing cold cuisine dish best served with a fresh herb baguette.

Tom the Chef Tom the Chef Founder
Published:
July 3, 2026

Before You Start

Let’s talk about important parts of the recipe before you start…

Welcome to My Authentic Shopska Salad

After you start reading the ingredients list, you may end up having a feeling that this is just a version of a Greek salad. However, this delicious cold cuisine dish actually originated in Bulgaria, which is close to Greece. I absolutely love making this Shopska Salad because fruit and vegetables are nutritious, full of vitamins, and are very flavorful. By bringing together beautiful produce like diced tomatoes, diced cucumber, a green bell pepper, and a banana pepper, you create a vibrant base. We mix these in a large mixing bowl with crumbled feta cheese, a bright splash of lemon juice, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. You can add a pinch of dried oregano as a modification that is not part of the recipe, but it is wonderful exactly as written with just a touch of freshly ground pepper and salt. Serve it cold with an herb baguette or twice-baked herb bread for the perfect meal.

Preparing the Fresh Tomatoes and Cucumber

Fruit and vegetables are nutritious, full of vitamins, and are very flavorful. In this Shopska Salad, they are very important for creating a final flavor and providing important flavor elements. I always start by preparing 1 LB of tomatoes. You can use standard tomatoes that are diced, or if you prefer, you can use baby tomatoes cut in half. Next, I take 1 cucumber and dice it. You can leave the skin on, or it can be optionally peeled based on your preference. Getting these foundational ingredients ready on your cutting board with a chef’s knife ensures the Shopska Salad will have the perfect fresh bite.

Adding the Perfect Peppers for Crunch

To give the Shopska Salad its signature crunch and vibrant color, I rely on two types of peppers. I take 1 green bell pepper and make sure it is finely diced. Alongside the green bell pepper, I also use 1 banana pepper that is also diced. If you cannot find a banana pepper, you can also substitute with any other pepper you might have on hand. These crisp vegetables go straight into the large mixing bowl, mingling beautifully with the diced tomatoes and diced cucumber to build the fresh, cold base of this classic Bulgarian dish.

The Importance of Onion and Fresh Parsley

A great Shopska Salad needs a bit of sharpness and herbal freshness to elevate the vegetables. For this step, I take 1 onion, ensure it is peeled, and then finely chop it. Next comes the herbs, which are absolutely crucial for the aroma. I use one quarter cup of fresh parsley that is finely chopped. If you do not have fresh herbs on hand, you can easily use 2 tablespoons of dried parsley instead. Adding a handful of kalamata olives is a modification that is not part of the recipe, but sticking to the fresh parsley and chopped onion keeps it incredibly authentic and flavorful.

Mixing with Feta Cheese and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Once all the vegetables are prepped, it is time to bring the Shopska Salad together. I place all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl, specifically one that is 8 quarts or larger. I add 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese right on top of the vegetables. For the dressing, I pour in 4 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the freshly squeezed juice from 1 lemon. Finally, I season everything with half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of freshly ground pepper. Using my silicone spatula, I thoroughly but gently stir everything together so the feta cheese maintains its wonderful crumbled texture.

Adjusting Flavors and Serving the Shopska Salad

After giving everything a gentle stir with the silicone spatula in the large mixing bowl, the next crucial step is to taste the Shopska Salad. You should taste and add more Extra Virgin Olive Oil, juice from a lemon, salt, and freshly ground pepper if needed. Once perfectly seasoned, I place the mixture into a salad bowl or individual plates. To make it look beautiful, I sprinkle the top with extra feta crumbles and a bit more freshly ground salt and pepper. I decorate the dish with a little more fresh parsley and always serve it alongside fresh bread like an herb baguette or twice-baked herb bread.

Recipe

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