Greek salad: a healthy and easy salad, 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!
What’s in a traditional Greek Salad?
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?
On to the Mediterranean 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 do you make this Mediterranean 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.
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.
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.
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
Mediterranean Cucumber Salad (Greek 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.
veenaazmanov
Combination of Healthy Veggies and I love the Feta Cheese topping making it yum and delicious.
Sula
I agree, the feta is the perfect touch!
Anjali
Love this salad! It's super refreshing, easy to make and perfect for summer. My kids loved it too!
Sula
I'm so glad you liked it! Easy is best!
Sally
So simple and delicious! Thanks!
Sula
I agree, its perfect for summer.
Fabi
This is a perfect and refreshing salad for summer! It will be on the menu of our first picnic this year 🙂
Sula
Mine too!
esha
Such a delicious and refreshing looking salad!
Sula
It's a great go-to, all summer long!
Roda
Oh yum this looks absolutely delicious need to give it a go- I am always looking for quick simple and delicious salad recipes.
Sula
You won't be sorry!
Patricia P.
I absolutely love Greek salad. So delicious. Thanks for the recipe. So healthy too.
Sula
I agree. I love it when something can be BOTH delicious and healthy!
Chef Dennis
This Greek Cucumber Salad looks really delicious and refreshing to eat! My wife will love this.
Sula
Enjoy!
Tayo
This is always a favorite in my house. So easy to make and perfect for summer!
Sula
Yes, a favorite in my house too!
MATTHEW
Thanks for sharing this great recipe!
Sula
You are welcome!
Debbie
I love Greek salads! Will have to give this one a try!
Sula
You won't be sorry!
Jess
I love all things Greek. This is my new go to salad!
Sula
We all need easy go to salads don't we?
Amy
Can't go wrong with a good Greek salad! Perfect when you're having a heavy meal.
Sula
Exactly!
Maren
Thank you for sharing this greek cucumber salad! Greek salads are my favorite!
Sula
You're welcome and mine too!
Maren
Greek salads are my favorite! Thanks for sharing this great recipe!
Deanna
Such and easy and delicious salad. It was perfect with our BBQ chicken.
Sula
Sounds like a wonderful combination!
Marina
Love this recipe, thanks for sharing! It is like a summer in a bowl
Sula
I agree!
Vincit
This is a "never fail" salad. Thanks!
Sula
Definitely!
Big Trouble
This looks really refreshing and light, especially for a hot summer's day, which I'm told should be coming soon... Thanks for the healthy, veggie-based options, Sula!
Sula
Yes we are all hoping for warmer days to come! But I actually like this year round!
Saif
I love cucumber salad. One of my favorite vegetable salad. Not familiar with greek cucumber salad but it is quite similar to a Middle Eastern arabic salad I tried in Jordan. I am sure it taste delicious
Sula
I agree, cucumbers are so great!