Looking for the perfect side dish for summer? Look no further than this Greek cucumber salad. It features freshly sliced cucumbers and tomatoes with olives, red onions, and feta cheese, all tossed in a simple homemade Greek vinaigrette dressing and topped with fresh chopped herbs. It's bursting with fresh summer flavor in just 15 minutes!
Why this Recipe Works
This traditional Greek salad is a simple dish that captures the essence of Greek cuisine and allows fresh summer vegetables to shine. With crisp cucumbers and juicy ripe tomatoes, it's a perfect dish for a hot summer day.
The homemade Greek vinaigrette dressing is zesty and flavorful and also super simple to prepare with common pantry ingredients. And the fresh herbs, tangy feta cheese, and briny olives give it a punch of extra flavor.
Whether you're seeking a light and healthy side dish or a refreshing summer salad, this Greek cucumber salad is a must-try!
Ingredient Notes
- Cucumber - I recommend using English cucumber for this recipe. They have thinner skin and less seeds than regular cucumbers.
- Tomatoes - I used vine-ripened Campari tomatoes. Roma or cherry tomatoes also work well.
- Olives - Kalamata olives are traditional in Greek salad, but you can use other varieties if preferred. I do recommend using pitted olives to make them easier to eat.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add all of the vinaigrette ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Alternatively, you can put the ingredients into a small jar with a lid and shake until combined.
- Add all of the salad ingredients to a mixing bowl and pour the vinaigrette over the top. Stir gently until the salad is well coated, then transfer to a serving bowl using a slotted spoon, leaving any excess dressing behind in the mixing bowl.
- Top the salad with additional feta and chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, and basil, then serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- The texture of the tomatoes can get mealy when refrigerated, so I recommend using cherry tomatoes if you plan to make it ahead.
- If you have extra time, you can season the cucumbers with salt and let them drain in a colander before preparing the salad to help avoid a watery salad.
How to Serve Greek Salad
This simple salad is filled with zesty Mediterranean flavors and vibrant colors! It pairs well with other Mediterranean favorites like my Greek chicken souvlaki kebabs and fresh homemade tzatziki sauce. My Mediterranean chicken and orzo pasta is another great option.
It's also a perfect option for cookouts and potlucks with grilled dishes like my spinach and feta turkey burgers and my Greek yogurt marinated lamb kebabs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The vegetables will release a good bit of water as they sit, so it's best to dress the salad immediately before serving if you do plan to refrigerate it.
Authentic Greek salad, called Horiatiki, does not contain lettuce. It is a rustic salad that contains a mixture of cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, olives, and a block of feta cheese, dressed with a simple vinaigrette dressing.
More Salad Recipes
📖 Recipe
Greek Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Greek Vinaigrette Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salad
- 2 large English cucumbers, halved, then sliced
- 3 cups campari tomatoes, 6-7 tomatoes, cut into bite-sized chinks
- 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted
- chopped fresh herbs, for topping (optional)
Instructions
Vinaigrette Dressing
- Add all of the vinaigrette ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Alternatively, you can put the ingredients into a small jar with a lid and shake until combined.
Salad
- Add all of the salad ingredients to a mixing bowl and pour the vinaigrette over the top. Stir gently until the salad is well coated, then transfer to a serving bowl using a slotted spoon, leaving any excess dressing behind in the mixing bowl.
- Top the salad with additional feta and chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, dill, and basil, then serve immediately.
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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