Shopsky salad
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
From ingredients
6 products
SIMPLE PROCESS
Step by step recipe
The key is properly roasted peppers: char them until black, then peel off the skin easily to release their smoky aroma. Chop the vegetables coarsely and layer them — this preserves texture and lets each ingredient shine. The oil and vinegar dressing adds freshness. Don't stir the salad before serving — that's the hallmark of a true Shopsky salad!
Roast the Peppers
Wash and dry the peppers. Char them in a dry skillet or oven until blackened on all sides. Transfer to a bowl, cover with a lid or plastic wrap for 5 minutes, then peel off the skin and remove the seeds. Slice the peppers into strips.
Slice the Vegetables
Slice the onion into thin half-rings. Slice the cucumbers and tomatoes into thick rounds (½–1 inch).
Layer the Salad
In a salad bowl, layer the ingredients in this order: onion, roasted peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes. Do not stir.
Add the Cheese
Crumble the feta coarsely over the top of the salad.
Dress
In a small bowl, mix the oil and vinegar. Drizzle the dressing over the salad without stirring.
CHEF'S TIP
Roast the Peppers Properly
Char the peppers in a dry skillet or oven until blackened. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap for 5 minutes, then easily peel off the skin. Don't rinse the peppers — it washes away the smoky flavor.
Chop Vegetables Coarsely
Cut peppers into strips or chunks, cucumbers and tomatoes into thick slices (½–1 inch). This preserves texture and makes the salad more substantial.
Don't Stir the Salad
In a Shopsky salad, the layers are not mixed — each ingredient stays separate. This allows you to enjoy each component's unique flavor. The dressing is evenly distributed over the top layers.
Use Good-Quality Feta
Use feta from cow's or sheep's milk with medium saltiness. Crumble it coarsely over the salad — it shouldn't completely cover the vegetables.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Add your taste
- With Feta-Style Cheese Replace feta with a similar brined cheese — it's creamier and also works well. You can crumble or cube it.
- With Olive Oil Use extra virgin olive oil instead of regular vegetable oil for a richer, more Mediterranean taste.
- Add Black Olives Add a handful of black olives on top for a tangy kick and a more Greek-style flavor.
- With Lemon Juice Instead of Vinegar Replace vinegar with freshly squeezed lemon juice for a softer, fruitier dressing.
HOW TO STORE
How to Store Shopsky Salad
Best eaten fresh. If you have leftovers, store in the fridge in a covered container without stirring for up to 1 day. Do not freeze — vegetables lose texture. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
GOOD TO KNOW