Caffeine Free Turkish Shepherd's Salad
This bright, chopped salad is a staple of Turkish home cooking for good reason — every bite delivers juicy tomato, cool cucumber, and crisp bell pepper in a tangy lemon and olive oil dressing that feels impossibly fresh. The sumac is the secret weapon here, adding a citrusy, slightly earthy depth that elevates the whole bowl without any heat or heaviness. Because every single ingredient in this recipe is naturally free of stimulants, it's a genuinely effortless fit for anyone keeping caffeine out of their diet — no label-checking required. Fresh parsley and optional mint round out the herbs, making this as aromatic as it is colorful. It comes together in one bowl with nothing more than a knife and a good toss, so it's perfect for busy weeknights or as a vibrant side at a weekend spread. Serve it immediately to keep that satisfying crunch intact, though honestly it's hard to imagine it lasting long enough to go soggy anyway.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes, seeded and cut into ¼-inch dice
- 2 persian cucumbers (or 1 english cucumber), cut into ¼-inch dice
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into ¼-inch dice
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp sumac
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper, or to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, green bell pepper, red onion, and parsley in a large mixing bowl.
- 2
Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over the vegetables, then sprinkle with the sumac, salt, and black pepper.
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