published May 12, 2021, updated Mar 15, 2024 Mast o khiar is a Persian cucumber salad often served as a side dish. Its thick, sour nature stimulates the appetite and is great when served with rice (like some crispy tahdig), hearty proteins, or Zaatar Bread (Manakish) pictured below. Plus, I love an excuse to use Persian cucumbers. I also use it in shirazi salad — another kind of Persian cucumber salad — tabouleh with cauliflower, Mediterranean vegetable and chickpea salads, and fattoush bread salad. While it’s quick to stir together, you do need to prepare Persian cucumber yogurt dip 30 minutes to an hour ahead of time so it can thicken and take on all of its herbal, tangy flavors. But I promise, the wait is worth it. Whether you’re serving mast o khiar as a simple Persian cucumber yogurt dip or a cooling dish on the side, its creamy texture and bold flavor will be the talk of the dinner table. I’ve even been known to scoop some on my morning toast!
Recommended Tools
Glass Bowl With Lid – Glass is my number one choice for storage. It’s easy to clean, doesn’t hold onto scents or dyes, and lasts as long as you take care of it. And when it comes with a lid, it’s an airtight container that seamlessly transitions from mixing to storage!
Storing and Serving
Mast o khiar tastes best when it’s allowed to chill for at least 30 minutes. You can cut down on this chilling time by starting with chilled ingredients, but you’ll still want to give the mixed result some time for the flavors to really marry and meld.
Yogurt – The most important thing is to choose an unflavored yogurt. Greek, traditional, non-dairy — they’re all fine as long as they’re plain! Persian Cucumbers – These small, narrow cucumbers are perfect for salads, snacking, and any other use. They’re tender, have very few seeds, and have an amazingly crisp texture. English cucumbers are the next best substitute. Golden Raisins – Also known as go by sultanas, this is a personal favorite that I throw into Persian cucumber yogurt dip. They’re not traditional and can easily be left out, but add great texture and sweetness! Walnuts – These have a mild, earthy flavor and disrupt the smooth dip with an appetizing crunch. For another layer of flavor, toast the walnuts first! Mint – Some recipes call for fresh mint, and some call for dried. Me? I always prefer fresh if I can help it — it has a brighter flavor and a beautiful presentation. But if you prefer dried, you can use it with no problems. Dried Rose Petals – Make sure you’re using food-grade petals! If you’ve never worked with rose petals before, they’re a real treat with a breathtaking aroma and bright taste. Garlic Powder & Salt – These ingredients add balance and sharp, salty flavors. Use them to season to taste before chilling.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. But Persian cucumber salad — or really any cucumber salad — will start to leech water after 3 days or so, watering down the yogurt. Love this recipe? Share it with the world on Pinterest.
