Shopska Salad (Bulgarian Salad)

Shopska Salad is a traditional Bulgarian side dish that is quick and easy to prepare with simple ingredients. This healthy salad is gluten-free and vegetarian, made with fresh vegetables and feta cheese.

Shopska salad is a traditional Bulgarian salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, onion, seasoned with extra virgin olive oil and salt.  It’s topped with finely grated feta cheese. It’s similar to a Greek salad.

Traditionally, we use white brine cheese called ‘sirene’ (the word in Bulgarian has nothing to do with sirens. haha :)) which is made of goat’s milk, sheep milk, and cow milk. It is very similar to Greek feta cheese which is very popular here in the States, that’s why I used feta cheese. The name of the salad comes from the region Shopluk which is an area roughly where Bulgaria, Serbia, and Macedonia meet.

This Shopska salad is a wonderful side dish to your next BBQ. Serve it along side grilled chicken or steak. 

Ingredinets To Make Shopska Salad

You just need a handful of simple ingredients for this light and refreshing salad.

• Tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Green bell pepper
• Olives
• Red onion
• Bulgarian feta cheese (sirene) – you can also use Greek feta
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt

How To Make Shopska Salad

• In a large bowl mix together tomatoes, cucumber, green bell peppers, and chopped red onion. Drizzle with olive oil, and season salt.
• Grate feta cheese over the salad so that it’s nicely covered. Serve immediately or chill before serving.

Can You Make This Ahead Of Time?

Because there are no leafy greens in shopska salad that can wilt, you can make this salad a couple of days ahead of time. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It travels well, so it’s great to take on picnics or to potlucks and cookouts.

A Simple Side Salad Recipe

I love that it only takes minutes to make this wonderfully fresh salad and it goes with so many mains. It is a super healthy salad that is also easy peasy to make. The ingredients are simple and it literally takes about 10 – 15 minutes to prepare. This salad serves 4-6 people depending on your appetites. 

Make It Into A Meal

It’s really easy to boost this into a more hearty summer meal that’s great for meal prep. I like to add in some grilled chicken or shrimp for lunches and light even meals when the weather is hot.

More Salad Recipes

• Tomato Salad
• Mediterranean Tuna Salad
• Cucumber Salad
• Broccoli Salad

5 from 5 votes

Print Review Pin It!

Shopska Salad (Bulgarian Salad)

Shopska salad is a Bulgarian salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, onion, olives, seasoned with olive oil and salt, and topped with grated feta cheese.

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 175kcal

AUTHOR Neli Howard | Delicious Meets Healthy

INGREDIENTS

• ▢ 3 tomatoes, cubed
• ▢ 1/2 long cucumber, or 1 regular cucumber, thinly sliced and halved, European
• ▢ 1 green bell pepper, cubed
• ▢ 1/2 of a large red onion, finely chopped
• ▢ 1/4 cup black pitted olives, sliced (optional)
• ▢ 1 cup Bulgarian feta cheese, thinly grated, sirene
• ▢ 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• ▢ salt, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a large bowl mix together tomatoes, cucumber, green bell peppers, and chopped red onion. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt.
• Grate feta cheese over the salad so that it's nicely covered. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
• Serve immediately or chill before serving.

TIPS & NOTES

• Chop all of the veggies into evenly sized pieces so that it’s easy to eat.
• Use fresh and ripe ingredients for the best flavors.
• Once you have made the salad, taste a little and adjust the seasoning to your taste.

NUTRITION

Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 376mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 731IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 1mg

Course Salad

Cuisine Mediterranean

Keyword bulgarian salad, shopska salad