Description
Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad celebrates fresh ingredients with crisp vegetables and zesty herbs. Mediterranean flavors blend seamlessly, offering you a refreshing and light summer side dish perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) feta cheese (cubed)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 English cucumber (quartered lengthwise and sliced)
- 1 red onion (halved and thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsps freshly chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers and tomatoes into uniform, thin pieces to ensure balanced flavor and texture in every bite.
- Finely chop fresh herbs like dill or parsley to enhance the salad’s aromatic profile and add a vibrant green color.
- Create the dressing by whisking olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings until they form a smooth, emulsified mixture at room temperature.
- Gently combine the sliced vegetables in a large mixing bowl, taking care not to crush the delicate ingredients.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetables, using a light folding motion to coat each piece evenly without breaking the components.
- Allow the salad to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Optionally, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese or sliced red onions on top for additional depth and complexity of flavor.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish, ideally within 2 hours of preparation to maintain optimal texture and taste.
Notes
- Slice cucumbers and tomatoes uniformly for consistent texture and even dressing absorption.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers to enhance the salad’s natural flavors and crunchiness.
- Skip salt if using feta cheese, as it already provides a salty element to the dish.
- Transform this recipe into a low-carb option by replacing sugar with stevia or omitting sweetener entirely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 191 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg