This Mediterranean Cucumber Salad is perfect for summer!
I just love a simple Greek salad. Some call it a Mediterranean Cucumber Salad. Chop some veggies, mix a simple dressing and — done! Only five ingredients, plus spices. Not sure it gets much easier!
When you need a light lunch, a side for a summer barbecue, or a colorful addition to your weeknight dinner table, this vibrant salad never disappoints. With just a few ingredients and 10 minutes, you’ll be able to make a wonderful dish that’s perfect for every occasion.
Jump to:
- This Mediterranean Cucumber Salad is perfect for summer!
- Mediterranean Greek Salad Ingredients
- Greek Cucumber Salad Dressing
- How to make Greek Cucumber Salad
- What kind of feta is best in Greek salad?
- Make the dressing
- Mediterranean Greek Salad Variations
- This Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad is ready to serve!
- 📖 Recipe
- More cucumber salad recipes
Mediterranean Greek Salad Ingredients
First, let’s look at what’s NOT a Greek salad. On most of your basic restaurant menus, a Greek Salad will be listed based on lettuce. It’s what we expect of our salads in America. But an authentic Greek salad contains NO lettuce. The ingredients are:
- Cucumber
- Tomato
- Onion
- Feta cheese
- Olives (Kalamata)
See? No lettuce. No Romaine. It does contain green (cucumbers), but there are no green leaves of any kind.
The ingredients are seasoned with salt and oregano, then dressed with olive oil. The authentic Greek salad is often imagined as a farmer’s breakfast or lunch, as its ingredients resemble what a Greek farmer might have on hand. (Wikipedia)
The primary ingredients are cucumber and tomato. So, if you’d rather call this a Cucumber Tomato salad, who’s going to argue?
Greek Cucumber Salad Dressing
As stated above, the traditional dressing for Greek salad is very simple. I’m using a more “Americanized” type of dressing, while still keeping it simple.
The dressing is similar to what was used in my Mediterranean Chopped Salad. And, actually, one might consider this Mediterranean Cucumber Salad a stripped-down version of that one. Remove the chickpeas and lettuce and it’s close.
This dressing uses:
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- dried oregano
- and salt and pepper
Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice if you can; you’ll be rewarded with the best flavor.
The dressing is very light because it’s simply meant to complement the fresh veggie flavors. You should taste cucumbers and tomatoes, not Greek salad dressing.
How to make Greek Cucumber Salad
- First, prep the veggies. For this recipe, I like my English cucumbers in chunks, made by cutting the cuke in half lengthwise and then in fourths. Then from those pieces, cut ¼ to ½ inch pieces and place in a bowl. Use half the cucumber and save the rest for another salad. You should have about 2 cups of cucumber.
- Halve the grape tomatoes, then add them to the bowl.
- For the onions, I use one half of a medium red onion, or one fourth of a large. This is less than many other “American” versions of Greek salad, so if you like a lot of onion, go ahead! Use the whole thing! For me, I find myself leaving a lot of onion on the plate. So I just reduce on the front end. It’s enough to contribute to the flavor without being a main ingredient.
- Slice the onion very thin and add to the bowl.
(It really does look like Cucumber Tomato salad, right?)
What kind of feta is best in Greek salad?
I recommend soft fresh feta, purchased in a block and packaged in brine to preserve its freshness.
An authentic Greek salad would be served with a large slice of this cheese on top.
Make the dressing
Whisk lemon juice and olive oil together for a minute, then add spices.
Then add dressing to the salad and toss gently.
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Mediterranean Greek Salad Variations
- The “Americanized” version is to cube or crumble the feta. In a pinch, you can use feta sold in packages of already crumbled cheese. However, be aware that this feta is significantly drier and less tasty than brine-preserved feta.
- Add some olives – I made this a super-simple version of Greek cucumber salad and left out the olives. But feel free to add some in! Kalamata olives are my favorite, and they add a perfectly wonderful flavor to this Greek salad.
- Add pasta – toss in a little cooked orzo or rotini to make this a Greek pasta salad.
- Lettuce – some shredded lettuce in the bowl will give this salad more of a “chopped salad” vibe.
This Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad is ready to serve!
If needed, this salad will keep in the refrigerator for a day or two. But I like it best when eaten right away.
Greek Cucumber Salad is the perfect summer side! It would be fantastic with a copycat Panera Mediterranean veggie sandwich. Or try it with chicken in creamy sun-dried tomato sauce - YUM!
📖 Recipe
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Greek Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- ½ English cucumber
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 2 oz feta cheese
- ½ medium red onion sliced
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 2 teaspoon olive oil extra-virgin
- ⅛ teaspoon oregano dried
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut cucumber lengthwise into quarters, then slice chunks of ¼ to ½ inch thick. Place in bowl.½ English cucumber
- Halve the grape tomatoes and add to bowl with cucumber.1 cup grape tomatoes
- Slice red onion, add to bowl.½ medium red onion
- In a small cup, whisk together lemon juice and olive oil, then add oregano and some salt and pepper.2 teaspoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoon olive oil, ⅛ teaspoon oregano, Salt and pepper
- Add dressing to the bowl and toss gently.
- Cut or crumble feta cheese and add to bowl.2 oz feta cheese
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Toss and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady
I love greek salad since I absolutely love feta cheese. I like that this recipe.only uses veggies and not salad, as sometimes I just don't have any on hand.
Sula
Right, a salad doesn't always have to include greens to be light and delicious!
Emily Flint
Easy, fresh, healthy, and delicious. I really don't need anything else this summer. I will definitely be making this again and again!
Sula
I find it the perfect go-to salad in summer!
Gabriela Herrera
I love how easy to veganize your recipes are. Absolutely delicious, nutritious and pantry and fridge friendly ingredients is the best.
Sula
Thank you and I agree, keeping it simple and fresh is the best.
Gina Abernathy
The perfect summer salad! I always have so many tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions growing in my garden during the summer months. I am going to enjoy this salad this summer.
Sula
I am jealous of anyone with a garden, those home grown veggies will be fantastic in this salad!
Nora
Greek salad is something wonderful! A good pita with garlic in addition and the meal is ready.
Sula
Yes!
Jeannie
I would love to add this mediterranean salad to my meal, cucumber is very refreshing which is so nice to have anytime of the day.
Sula
Yes, it's a light and refreshing salad for sure!
Cooking with Carbs
You had me at feta cheese and olives! Thank you for this great greek salad recipe. I've been looking for more quick salads to make at lunch while working from home. Will try this later this week!
Sula
Oh I do hope you try it, I'm certain you won't be sorry!
Nart at Cooking with Nart
I love this salad. It's so easy to put together, delicious and healthy. So good!
Sula
I agree, its so perfect for summer!
Farah Maizar
Absolutely lovely and refreshing salad! Looks fantastic and perfect for summer - can't wait to make this!
Sula
I hope you try it soon!