Choban salad is a simple chopped salad of tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and herbs, dressed with oil. It is the everyday "shepherd's salad" found across Azerbaijan and the region.
What is Choban Salad?
Choban salad (çoban salatı "shepherd's salad") is a chopped salad of fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and onion, with herbs (dill, coriander, or parsley) and a simple oil dressing. Sometimes lemon or vinegar is added. It is light, fresh, and served as a side with kebabs, plov, or any main dish. You will find it in almost every restaurant and home in Azerbaijan.
How do you eat Choban Salad?
Eat it with a fork as a side dish either on its own or mixed with a bite of meat or bread. It is meant to refresh the palate and add freshness to the meal. Some people add a little more oil or lemon at the table. It is not a main course; it accompanies the main.
What are the ingredients of Choban Salad?
The core ingredients are tomatoes, cucumber, and onion all chopped into similar small pieces. Fresh herbs (dill, coriander, or parsley) are added. The dressing is vegetable or olive oil, salt, and pepper; sometimes lemon juice or vinegar. No dairy, no meat. Simple and quick to make.
The Secret of Zire Tomatoes
A true Choban Salad relies entirely on the quality of its ingredients, as there is no heavy dressing to hide behind. In Azerbaijan, the absolute gold standard for this salad is the "Zire" tomato, grown in the mineral-rich soils of the Absheron peninsula. These tomatoes are massive, uniquely pinkish-red, and incredibly sweet. Locals will often ask specifically if a restaurant uses Zire tomatoes before ordering the salad.
The "Salad Juice" Ritual
The vegetables in a traditional Choban Salad are diced very finely, almost like a chunky salsa, rather than cut into large wedges. Because of this, the salt draws out the natural juices of the tomatoes and cucumbers, which mix with the olive oil to create a highly flavorful liquid at the bottom of the bowl. For Azerbaijanis, tearing off a piece of fresh tendir bread and dipping it into this leftover salad juice is considered the best part of the dish!
