Easy Greek Inspired Summer Salad Recipe
Hi friends!
A fresh and flavorful Greek inspired summer salad made with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, creamy feta cheese, and a simple Greek dressing. This is such an easy (no cooking required) side dish that is perfect for BBQs, meal prep, weeknight dinners, potlucks, or a last minute light lunch! I feel like there are some recipes that somehow fall off your radar, even though you absolutely loved them at one point and that is exactly what happened with this Greek inspired summer salad! I used to make this all the time when we lived in Boston. It had become one of my favorite easy lunches because it took pretty much no effort, it was packed with fresh veggies, and somehow always tasted even better after it sat in the refrigerator for a while. We also made it as a side dish whenever we would grill burgers, chicken, or steak during the summer. Then somehow...I completely forgot about it. Fast forward a few years, and I was scrolling through old pictures on my phone when I came across a photo of this salad! I immediately added everything I needed to my Target grocery delivery order because I couldn't stop thinking about it!
I know this recipe has "summer" in the title, but I like to make it year round. It's one of those recipes that's light enough for hot weather but also works perfectly as a quick lunch or healthy side dish any time of year. Plus, if you're anything like me and could happily eat an embarrassing amount of feta cheese, this recipe is definitely for you! One of my favorite things about this salad is that it barely feels like a recipe. There's no cooking involved, just a little chopping, mixing, and seasoning. It's also really customizable depending on what vegetables you have in your refrigerator! I think whether you're looking for an easy BBQ side dish, a healthy lunch, or something fresh to meal prep for the week, this Greek inspired salad is one you'll come back to again and again.
Happy reading!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Course: Side Dish, Lunch
Cuisine: Greek-Inspired
Ingredients
1 large cucumber, diced
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered
½ small red onion, diced
½-¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
Greek dressing (or Italian dressing if that's what you have on hand)
Dried oregano, to taste
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Ingredient Notes
Cucumber: I usually use whatever cucumber I have on hand. English cucumbers are great because they have fewer seeds, but regular or mini cucumbers work just as well!
Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes are both delicious. I usually just choose whichever looks better when I am shopping at the grocery store.
Red Onion: A little goes a long way! If you aren't a huge onion fan, start with less and add more to taste!
Feta Cheese: Honestly...measure this with your heart. I don't think you can ever have too much feta and an amount of cheese feels like a personal decision haha!
Dressing: I normally use a Greek dressing, but I’ve also used Italian dressing too when it’s what I already have in the fridge!
Seasonings: Oregano is what really gives this salad that Mediterranean inspired flavor. I like to finish everything off with salt and freshly cracked black pepper; again, add to your taste preference!
Instructions
Wash all of your veggies!
Dice the cucumber and red onion, then cut up your cherry or grape tomatoes into quarters.
Add all of the vegetables to a large mixing bowl.
Sprinkle in the feta cheese.
Drizzle your favorite Greek dressing over the top. Start with a small amount, because you can always add more but you can’t take it out!
Season with oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
Mix everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with dressing.
You can serve this immediately, or refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving for even more flavor. But I really think that this salad gets better and better the longer that it has had to marinate in the fridge! The veggies soak up the dressing, and all of the flavors come together so well!
I also feel like I should mention that this recipe is SO flexible, don't stress about exact measurements! Love cucumbers? Add more! Prefer tomatoes? Throw in extra. Want an entire mountain of feta? I fully support that decision. There are measurements above but it’s more of a measure with your heart kind of dish!
Tips for the Best Greek-Inspired Summer Salad
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how forgiving it is. You really can't mess it up! Here are a few tips that make it even better.
Let It Marinate - If you have the time, let the salad sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to an hour before eating it. The dressing has time to soak into the vegetables, making every bite better.
Cut Everything About the Same Size - Try to dice your cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions into similar sized pieces. I feel like this helps you get a little bit of everything in each bite.
Taste Before Adding Salt - Since feta is a naturally salty cheese, I think it is smart to mix everything together and taste it first before you add extra salt to the dish!
Easy Ways to Customize This Salad
This recipe is more of a starting point than a strict recipe. Here are some of my favorite additions:
Kalamata olives
Sliced bell peppers
Chickpeas for extra protein
Avocado
Diced avocado
Pepperoncini
Artichoke hearts
Grilled chicken
You can really make it your own depending on what's in your refrigerator!
What to Serve with Greek-Inspired Summer Salad
This salad goes with almost everything, which is probably why I made it so often.
Some of my favorite pairings include:
Grilled chicken
Burgers
Steak
Salmon
Greek chicken bowls
Homemade pita bread
Hummus
I know I mentioned this before but it’s also really good all by itself for lunch!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely, and like I’ve said I think it tastes better! The flavors develop even more after sitting in the refrigerator for a few hours!
How long does this salad last?
It stays fresh for about 3 days in the refrigerator and I store it in a glass container with a lid!
Can I use regular cucumbers?
Yes! English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers, mini cucumbers, or regular garden cucumbers all work well.
Is this recipe gluten free?
Yes! The salad itself is naturally gluten free. Just make sure that you check the label on your dressing to make sure it fits with your dietary needs!
More recipes to try from the blog!
Kitchen Favorites I Use
Here are a few kitchen tools that make prep even easier:
Anyways! I don’t always feel like a real adult but when I decided to make myself a bowl of veggies I get to at least pretend while I having lunch! This fresh Greek inspired summer salad is not only a delicious and healthy meal option, but it also reminds me of all of the vibrant flavors and ingredients that we had while we were in Greece. I love the crisp cucumbers and juicy tomatoes paired with the tangy feta cheese and bold oregano, it is the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Not to mention, it is incredibly easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. I absolutely recommend giving this summer salad a try! I would love to know if you try this out or make something similar to this for me to try myself! As always, let me know in the comments below or you can send me an email at hello@emmatarynjones.com!