Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad with Feta and Kalamata Olives

Name: Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad with Feta and Kalamata Olives
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 English cucumber (seeded, and diced); 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved); ¼ red onion (thinly sliced); ⅓ cup kalamata olives; ¼ cup feta (crumbled); 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil; 1 lemon (juiced); ½ tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp fresh oregano ( minced); Salt and pepper ( to taste)

by Pam Fullenweider, MS, RD | Jun 28, 2024 | Recipes, Salads

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This simple but excellently curated Greek cucumber salad is the perfect fresh and delicious addition on your summer menu.

We love recipes that are not only super healthy and easy to make but also have an abundance of fresh produce straight from the garden. To make this enjoyable Greek cucumber tomato salad, we partnered with Monarch Garden Co to gather all of our ingredients fresh out of the garden.

Choosing the right source of produce can impact the taste of your dishes and your overall health, which is why we love picking vegetables for our Greek cucumber salad recipe straight from the garden.

What is the Difference Between a Greek Salad and a Mediterranean Salad?

While you might think that the two are the same, the main difference can be found within the ingredients that are used. Both Greek and Mediterranean salads contain a mix of vegetables and olive oil, but a Greek cucumber salad includes feta cheese and kalamata olives. Greek food can also be Mediterranean food, but not all Mediterranean food can be classified as Greek food.

What is a Traditional Greek Salad Made of?

Have you ever thought about a salad that does not contain lettuce? Surprisingly, a traditional Greek salad does not have lettuce as the base. A traditional Greek salad includes:

cucumbers
tomatoes
bell peppers
onions
feta
kalamata olives

The history of a Greek cucumber salad originates from ancient Greece and over time has been adapted and cultivated by nearby Mediterranean countries. In Greece, it is known as ‘Horiatiki’ which means village.

Therefore, this Greek cucumber salad is known as the Village salad because it is served with almost all of the Greek’s meals. You are likely to find this salad staple on every menu in the Mediterranean! Why not make this Greek cucumber salad a staple in your household too?

What is a Greek Cucumber Salad Eaten With?

Are you worried that a salad alone for dinner might not fill you up completely? We understand that salads might not seem that filling. But one of our favorite ways to avoid feeling hungry after eating a salad is by adding protein.

Pairing Protein with Your Salad

Protein is an essential macronutrient that helps fuel and satisfy the body’s energy needs throughout the day. We recommend adding:

grilled chicken
grilled shrimp
grilled salmon
or even chickpeas if you are trying to follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle

How to Prepare this Greek Cucumber Salad Recipe

Gather your choice of vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers). Make sure to wash each vegetable and begin slicing them into small pieces. Place them into a medium-sized bowl, and add the olives and feta to the bowl.

Make the dressing in a separate small bowl by combining the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing on top of the vegetables in the medium bowl and modify the seasonings as needed.

Easy Substitutions

A good Greek salad is so versatile! You can make it your own with so many different ingredients:

Add green, red, or yellow peppers, pepperoncini, or artichoke hearts.
Spice it up with fresh sliced jalapeño.
If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, use other tomatoes and cut into chunks.
Other herbs to try are parsley, mint, or basil.

As mentioned before, you can also add protein for a main meal option such as chicken, salmon, shrimp, or chickpeas.

How Long Does it Take to Prepare

Not only does this salad taste delicious and fresh, but it is super easy to make with ingredients that you can buy from the store, gather at the farmer’s market, or even grow at home. This Greek tomato cucumber feta salad takes about 10 minutes to wash, cut the ingredients, and make the dressing, and then it is ready to serve!