Imagine the vibrant colors and invigorating aroma of a Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, a dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean summer.
Easy to prepare and brimming with fresh flavors, it’s perfect for those moments when you crave something both simple and satisfying.
As the tangy feta, juicy tomatoes, and crisp cucumber meld together, they create a symphony of taste that’s hard to resist.
Let’s bring this delightful dish to life!
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Chef’s knife
- 1 Measuring cup
- 1 Tablespoon
- 1 Serving spoon
Ingredients
- 2 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 Cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 cup Feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup Red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time when preparing the Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, follow this timeline:
- Reading the Recipe:
- Allocate 5 minutes to thoroughly read the recipe and understand the steps and ingredients needed.
- Preparation:
- 5 minutes: Gather all the necessary equipment (large mixing bowl, cutting board, chef’s knife, measuring cup, tablespoon, serving spoon) and ingredients (cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh dill, salt, black pepper).
- Chopping and Mixing:
- 5 minutes: Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the cucumber.
- 2 minutes: Crumble the feta cheese and thinly slice the red onion.
- 3 minutes: In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, crumbled feta cheese, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Preparing the Dressing:
- 3 minutes: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh dill, salt, and black pepper.
- Combining and Serving:
- 2 minutes: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl and toss gently to guarantee all ingredients are coated.
- 2 minutes: Transfer the salad to a serving dish using a serving spoon.
- Final Touches:
- 5 minutes: Serve immediately or refrigerate for a short period before serving if desired.
Feel free to adjust the timeline as needed to suit your pace and kitchen setup.
If you prefer to allow the salad flavors to meld together, allocate an additional 10-15 minutes for resting time before serving.
Recipe Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumber.
Add the crumbled feta cheese and thinly sliced red onion to the bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh dill, salt, and black pepper.
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl.
Toss the salad gently to guarantee all ingredients are coated with the dressing.
Transfer the salad to a serving dish using a serving spoon.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for a short period before serving.
Serving Tips
- Grilled Chicken Breast: A protein-packed addition that complements the fresh flavors of the salad.
- Pita Bread: Use it to scoop up the salad for a Mediterranean-style meal.
- Quinoa: Mix the salad with cooked quinoa for a more filling, nutrient-rich dish.
- Hummus: Serve alongside for a creamy, flavorful contrast.
- Roasted Vegetables: Pair with roasted bell peppers or zucchini for a warm, hearty side.
Storage
To store Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to two days.
For peak freshness, add dressing just before serving to prevent sogginess.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad.
As the fresh vegetables and feta cheese may lose their texture and flavor when thawed.
Enjoy it fresh for best taste.
Reheating
The Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad is best enjoyed fresh and doesn’t require reheating.
If refrigerated, serve chilled or let it sit at room temperature briefly before serving.
Final Thoughts
The Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad is a delicious and invigorating dish that combines the crispness of cucumber with the sweetness of cherry tomatoes.
The addition of crumbled feta cheese and red onion provides a perfect balance of flavors.
The dressing, made from olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh dill, adds a zesty touch to the salad.
This Mediterranean-inspired salad is quick to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
For ideal taste, use fresh ingredients and adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Whether served immediately or after a brief refrigeration, this salad is sure to be a hit.
Enjoy the vibrant flavors and simplicity of this delightful dish!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Substitute the Red Wine Vinegar for Another Type of Vinegar?
You can substitute red wine vinegar with equal parts balsamic, white wine, or apple cider vinegar. Each offers a unique flavor profile. Use a precise tablespoon measurement for consistency. Whisk thoroughly to guarantee the dressing emulsifies properly.
What Can I Use Instead of Feta Cheese for a Dairy-Free Option?
You can substitute feta cheese with 1/2 cup of dairy-free feta or 1/2 cup of firm tofu, crumbled. Make sure you maintain the texture by using a fork to achieve a similar consistency to feta.
How Can I Make This Salad More Filling or a Main Dish?
To make your salad more filling, incorporate 1 cup cooked quinoa or chickpeas for protein. Add 1/2 avocado for creaminess. Enhance texture by including 1/4 cup toasted nuts. These additions transform your salad into a hearty main dish.
Is It Possible to Add Protein, Like Chicken or Chickpeas, to This Salad?
You can enhance this salad’s protein content by incorporating 200 grams of grilled chicken breast or 1 cup of cooked chickpeas. Make certain even distribution by tossing the added protein with the existing salad ingredients for ideal flavor.
Can I Prepare the Salad Ingredients in Advance Without the Dressing?
Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients in advance. Slice and store tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and feta separately in airtight containers. This method prevents moisture build-up and maintains texture. Add dressing just before serving for ideal taste.
Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
Equipment
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 tablespoon
- 1 serving spoon
Ingredients
- 2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cucumber sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumber.
- Add the crumbled feta cheese and thinly sliced red onion to the bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh dill, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl.
- Toss the salad gently to ensure all ingredients are coated with the dressing.
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish using a serving spoon.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for a short period before serving.
Notes
