Cucumber Feta Salad A vibrant and refreshing Cucumber Feta Salad is the perfect light and flavorful dish, ideal for busy weeknights or as a delightful side. This recipe is incredibly useful for anyone seeking a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal that bursts with Mediterranean-inspired tastes.
Key Ingredients for Cucumber Feta Salad:
- 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
How to Make Cucumber Feta Salad:
This Cucumber Feta Salad is a testament to simplicity and flavor, combining crisp vegetables with salty cheese and aromatic herbs. It’s a delightfully satisfying dish that requires minimal effort, making it perfect for a quick lunch or elegant side. The preparation time is an impressive 15 minutes, allowing you to whip up this healthy and delicious salad in no time.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Cucumbers: Wash the English cucumbers thoroughly. Trim off the ends and then slice them thinly. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline for uniform slices. If your cucumbers have large seeds, you can scoop them out before slicing, though English cucumbers typically have small, edible seeds.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced cucumbers. Add the crumbled feta cheese, halved Kalamata olives, and thinly sliced red onion to the bowl.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Gently stir in the freshly chopped dill and mint. These herbs are crucial for the salad’s bright and refreshing flavor profile.
- Make the Dressing: In a small separate bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and dried oregano. This simple vinaigrette will coat the salad beautifully.
- Season the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remember that feta cheese is quite salty, so taste before adding too much salt.
- Toss Gently: Using a spoon or salad tongs, gently toss all the ingredients together until they are well combined and coated with the dressing. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can bruise the cucumbers.
- Chill (Optional but Recommended): For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the Cucumber Feta Salad for at least 15-30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the cucumbers to chill nicely.
- Serve: Serve the chilled Cucumber Feta Salad as a side dish or a light main course.
Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Feta Salad:
You’ll adore this Cucumber Feta Salad for its incredibly refreshing and vibrant taste, reminiscent of a classic Greek salad but with a simplified elegance. The star of this dish is undoubtedly the crisp, cool cucumber paired with the salty tang of feta and the briny pop of Kalamata olives, creating a delightful textural and flavor symphony. Making this at home is a fantastic cost-saving alternative to buying pre-made salads or dining out, offering premium flavor for a fraction of the price. The fresh dill and mint add an unexpected burst of aromatic freshness that elevates every bite, making it a standout alongside simpler green salads.
If you’re a fan of light and zesty dishes, you’ll find this Cucumber Feta Salad to be a delightful go-to, offering a more herbaceous and cooling experience compared to, say, a hearty potato salad. It’s not just a salad; it’s an experience of pure, unadulterated freshness that’s perfect for a warm day or any meal needing a bright counterpoint. So, gather your ingredients and give this delightful Cucumber Feta Salad a try – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Properly storing your Cucumber Feta Salad is key to enjoying its freshness for longer.
- Refrigeration: Leftover Cucumber Feta Salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Shelf Life: It is best consumed within 2-3 days. The cucumbers might become a little softer over time, but the flavors will continue to meld beautifully.
- Freezing: This salad is not recommended for freezing as the high water content of cucumbers can result in a mushy texture upon thawing.
- Reheating: This salad is best served chilled and does not require reheating. If you find it has released a lot of liquid, you can drain off any excess before serving.
Final Thoughts:
This Cucumber Feta Salad is a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. We highly encourage you to whip up this refreshing recipe at home for a taste of Mediterranean sunshine.
Cucumber Feta Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Wash the English cucumbers thoroughly. Trim off the ends and then slice them thinly. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline for uniform slices. If your cucumbers have large seeds, you can scoop them out before slicing, though English cucumbers typically have small, edible seeds.2 large English cucumbers
- In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced cucumbers. Add the crumbled feta cheese, halved Kalamata olives, and thinly sliced red onion to the bowl.2 large English cucumbers, 1 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, 1/4 cup red onion
- Gently stir in the freshly chopped dill and mint. These herbs are crucial for the salad’s bright and refreshing flavor profile.1/4 cup fresh dill, 1/4 cup fresh mint
- In a small separate bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and dried oregano. This simple vinaigrette will coat the salad beautifully.2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients in the large mixing bowl. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remember that feta cheese is quite salty, so taste before adding too much salt.to taste salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper
- Using a spoon or salad tongs, gently toss all the ingredients together until they are well combined and coated with the dressing. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can bruise the cucumbers.
- For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the Cucumber Feta Salad for at least 15-30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the cucumbers to chill nicely.
- Serve the chilled Cucumber Feta Salad as a side dish or a light main course.