Give a fresh and healthy touch to your palate with this light, zesty, and rich with proteins Turkish Piyaz, a Turkish white bean salad. As colorful as it is, it’s full of flavors. Prepared in boiled white beans, red onions, tomatoes, parsley, olive oil and sour essence of sumac or vinegar it is a common salad on Turkish tables, usually shared with grilled meat, such as kebab, or eaten with fresh bread.
The combination of tartness, sweetness, and crunch is what makes Piyaz recipe special and all this is wrapped in a healthy and satiating medley. When you want a great vegetarian lunch or a light side dish that is filling and healthy then Piyaz provides you with an authentic Turkish flavor.
About Turkish Piyaz
Turkish Piyaz is an Ottoman sourced traditional salad that is greatly popular in Turkey. The term Piyaz is derived from the Persian term “piyaz” which means onion (piyāz), and indeed, thinly chopped onions are used in the making of this salad, the soul of this dish.
Numerous regional variations of authentic Turkish Piyaz are found, some include boiled egg (Antalya Piyaz), tahini dressing or even chili flakes. However, the traditional version is made of white broad beans, uncooked onions, parsley, olive oil, and some sour components such as sumac or lemon juices.
“How to make Piyaz” is a must recipe for food lovers seeking refreshing and healthy alternatives. Turkish Piyaz is a popular salad that is prepared often as a meze, or as a refreshing accompaniment to spicy kebabs, but it is, above all, a tribute to freshness and simplicity and can be eaten all year round and particularly in warm weather.
Ingredients and Substitutes
- White Beans (Cannellini or Navy Beans): White beans, or navy beans, are the base of Piyaz. These are tender creamy beans. You may take the easy version using canned beans or take the fuller texture version by soaking and cooking a dried one
- Red Onion: Sliced thin and at times soaked in cold water to reduce sharp taste Adds a little crunch and sweetness to the salad
- Tomatoes: Provide juiciness and acidity. Use ripe, hard tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, which have been cut into dices
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped flat-leaf parsley is used to provide a bright fresh herbal flavour. You cannot miss it as a part of the flavoring of Piyaz
- Extra virgin Olive Oil – Olive oil of top-quality provides richness and a peppery taste. Pour in a good quantity on the salad
- Lemon Juice or Vinegar – Gives it a tang and acidity. A nice vinegar that can be used very effectively is apple cider or white wine vinegar but lemon juice is more traditional
- Sumac- A trademark of middle eastern spice which gives a lemony, tangy taste. In case of its absence, add more lemon juice or vinegar
- Salt & Black Pepper- Simple seasoning to flavour
Optional Additions:
- Hard-boiled eggs (For Antalya-style)
- Chili flakes
- Green pepper slices
- Tahini dressing (the richer version)
The Recipe of Turkish Piyaz
Prepare the Beans
- Measure out 1 cup of white beans and soak it overnight
- Cook in fresh water till soft(45-60 m)
- Strain and cool
- If you are using canned beans, take 1 can (400g) of white beans, wash and drain them
Cut the Veggies: Thinly slice
- 1 red small onion
- 1-2 medium sized tomatoes
- A few fresh parsley
- Trick: To soften the strong taste of the red onion slices, leave them in cold water for 10 minutes.
Put Together the Salad
In a large bowl add:
- Cooked beans
- Chopped tomatoes
- Drained onions
- Fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- juice of 1 lemon/ 1 tablespoon vinegar
- Half teaspoon sumac
- Season with salt and pepper
- Shake the contents so as to keep the beans intact
Garnish and Serve
- Cover it with additional sumac, parsley or drizzles of olive oil. In the case of Antalya style Piyaz, add sliced hard-boiled eggs and a drop of tahini sauce
- Cold or room temperature serving with hot pide, bread, or barbecued meats is the best
Piyaz is a tribute to the purity and goodness of ingredients — a vegan Turkish salad, a fast meal or an antidote to warm food. Enjoyed on its own or as one in a classic Turkish mezze with white beans and tahini, this dish is a demonstration that there is something to be said about simply being the best. Whether it’s a summer lunch or a mezze platter, this easy Antalya-style Piyaz salad recipe never disappoints.
