Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

Mediterranean cucumber salad is a light and refreshing side salad to pair with your favorite summertime meals. This quick and easy side dish is delicious and a great way to get your veggies in!

This cucumber tomato salad recipe is a great alternative to your typical green salad. It pairs nicely with a wide variety of proteins, and can be made into an entree all on its own (see the ‘Recipe Variations and Substitutions’ section). 

So what makes this a Mediterranean salad? A few of the key ingredients, such as the kalamata olives, feta cheese, and olive oil are all staples of the countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. A few fun facts for you: feta cheese originates from Greece. Italy and Spain are the world’s top two olive producers. And Spain, Italy, and Greece are the top three exporters of olive oil.

Make sure to add these ingredients to your weekly shopping (or Farmer’s Market) list so you can enjoy this delicious Mediterranean cucumber salad today!

TELL ME ABOUT THIS MEDITERRANEAN TOMATO CUCUMBER SALAD

Level of difficulty: Easy! Chopping up your veggies is the toughest part. 

Flavor: You can really taste all the ingredients in this light and fresh tomato cucumber feta salad.

Time: Give yourself about 20 minutes to make your cucumber salad. This includes time to chop, mix together, and down-time to allow your salad to marinate.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

• English Cucumber
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Red Onion
• Kalamata Olives
• Crumbled Feta Cheese
• Fresh Parsley (Flat Leaf or Curly Leaf)
• Olive Oil
• White Wine Vinegar
• Salt
• Pepper

OVERVIEW: HOW TO MAKE MEDITERRANEAN CUCUMBER SALAD

1. Make the dressing. In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
   1. Note: you can also shake all ingredients together in a small jar.
2. Make the salad. Place chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, parsley, and feta into a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Pour dressing over the vegetables and stir until all vegetables have been coated.
3. Let salad marinate. Let the dressed salad sit for 10-15 minutes (either at room temperature or in the fridge, based on personal preference) to allow the flavors to meld together.
4. Stir, serve and enjoy!

See a quick story series on this easy cucumber salad recipe here!

HOW TO SERVE MEDITERRANEAN CUCUMBER TOMATO SALAD

This cucumber and tomato salad is a great summer side salad for a variety of dishes. A few ideas include:

• Serve with grilled chicken or fish
• As a side dish for BBQ chicken
• Bring this Mediterranean cucumber salad along as a side dish for a picnic
• Enjoy as a light lunch (see ‘Recipe Variations and Substitutions’ section for how you can add more protein and make this into a great vegetarian main dish)

RECIPE VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

• Use larger-sized, heirloom tomatoes: this is a great salad recipe to use those gorgeous heirloom tomatoes in when they’re in season! Cut the tomatoes into smaller, bite-sized wedges when preparing them for your salad. 
• Add chickpeas: want to add some protein to your Mediterranean cucumber salad? Drain and rinse 1, 15oz can of chickpeas and mix them in! This is a great option if you’d like to enjoy this Mediterranean salad as a main dish. A great option for a light lunch!
• Add lemon juice: squeeze some fresh lemon juice onto your salad (either in the serving dish, or over individual servings) for a pop of freshness.
• Try different fresh herbs: you can add additional herbs to this recipe, try different herbs, or create your own mix! Other fresh herbs you could try include basil, mint, or cilantro.
• Add a grain: if you’d like to extend your tomato cucumber feta salad, try mixing in cooked and chilled grains. Pearl couscous, orzo pasta, or quinoa would all be good options.

MODIFICATIONS FOR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS: VEGAN, DAIRY-FREE

This cucumber salad recipe is vegetarian and gluten free as written. One quick swap can make this into a vegan and dairy free salad too:

• To make this healthy cucumber salad vegan and dairy free, simply leave out the feta

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Large Mixing Bowl

Small Mixing Bowl -OR- Mason Jar

Liquid Measuring Cup

Measuring Spoons

Measuring Cups

Serving Spoon

Chef’s Knife

Cutting Board

LOVE THIS RECIPE? YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:

• Mediterranean Pasta Salad
• Green Bean Caprese Salad

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

Mediterranean cucumber salad is a quick and easy side dish to prepare! Make this light and refreshing salad to pair with your favorite main dishes, for summer BBQs, and more!

4.80 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Inactive Time 10 mins

Total Time 20 mins

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Mediterranean

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 198 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Salad

• 1 large English cucumber, washed and diced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 Tbsp minced red onion (about 1/8 of a small red onion)
• 1/4 C chopped parsley (curly leaf or flat leaf)
• 1/4 C crumbled feta cheese
• 1/3 C halved Kalamata olives

Dressing

• 1/4 C olive oil
• 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

Instructions

 

• Make the dressing by stirring together the olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.*
• Make the salad by placing the chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, parsley, and feta into a large mixing bowl and stirring to combine.
• Pour dressing over the vegetables and stir until all vegetables have been coated.
• Let the dressed salad marinate for 10-15 minutes (either at room temperature or in the fridge, based on personal preference) to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Stir, serve and enjoy!

Notes

*Dressing can also be made by shaking all dressing ingredients in a small mason jar to combine.

 

*This salad is best when eaten within 24 hours of making. However, leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.

 

*Recipe Variations and Substitutions:

• Use larger-sized, heirloom tomatoes: this is a great salad recipe to use those gorgeous heirloom tomatoes in when they’re in season! Cut the tomatoes into smaller, bite-sized wedges when preparing them for your salad. 
• Add chickpeas: want to add some protein to your Mediterranean cucumber salad? Drain and rinse 1, 15oz can of chickpeas and mix them in! This is a great option if you’d like to enjoy this Mediterranean salad as a main dish. A great option for a light lunch!
• Add lemon juice: squeeze some fresh lemon juice onto your salad (either in the serving dish, or over individual servings) for a pop of freshness.
• Try different fresh herbs: you can add additional herbs to this recipe, try different herbs, or create your own mix! Other fresh herbs you could try include basil, mint, or cilantro.
• Add a grain: if you’d like to extend your tomato cucumber feta salad, try mixing in cooked and chilled grains. Pearl couscous, orzo pasta, or quinoa would all be good options.

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 591mgPotassium: 411mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1057IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!