Quick Summer Cucumber & Feta Salad Recipe: Fresh & Tangy Delight

Cool cucumber and feta salad brings vibrant Mediterranean flavors right to your plate.

Crisp vegetables dance with tangy cheese in this refreshing ensemble.

Summer’s bounty shines through this light, zesty combination of ingredients.

Crunchy cucumber slices provide a delightful textural contrast against creamy, salty feta chunks.

Bright herbs weave their aromatic magic throughout the entire dish.

Delicate vinaigrette ties everything together with a sparkling, elegant touch.

Sophisticated yet simple, this salad promises a delightful culinary adventure for lunch or dinner companions.

What Makes Cucumber & Feta Salad So Refreshing

• Drain and Refresh: Salt-draining technique removes excess water from cucumbers, creating a crisp, concentrated salad that prevents sogginess and enhances natural cucumber flavor.
• Herb-Packed Punch: Vibrant green vinaigrette bursting with fresh basil, parsley, and oregano delivers an intense, aromatic dressing that elevates the simple cucumber base with bright, zesty notes.
• Quick and Effortless: This no-cook recipe takes minimal preparation time, requiring just 30 minutes of hands-off salting and simple herb blending, making it perfect for busy home cooks seeking a fast, fresh side dish.
• Summer Celebration: Light, cool cucumber paired with tangy feta and herbaceous dressing creates a refreshing Mediterranean-inspired salad ideal for outdoor gatherings, picnics, and warm-weather meals.

Cucumber & Feta Salad Starts with These Essentials

• Cucumber: Crisp and refreshing base of the salad, best when firm and bright green with minimal seeds.
• Red Onion: Adds sharp and zesty flavor, provides a nice color contrast and crunch.

• Feta Cheese: Creamy and tangy Mediterranean cheese that adds rich, salty texture to the salad.

• Basil, Parsley, Oregano, Lemon Verbena: Fresh herbs that create a vibrant, aromatic herb vinaigrette with bright, green flavor profiles.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, high-quality base for the herb vinaigrette that helps blend and carry herb flavors.
• Salt: Helps draw out cucumber moisture and enhances overall seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and sharp finish to the salad.

• Edible Flowers: Adds visual appeal and delicate, decorative touch to the salad presentation.

Easy Way to Build Cucumber & Feta Salad with Vinaigrette

Step 1: Prepare Cucumber Slices

Slice cucumbers and place them in a metal strainer over a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and gently mix. Let sit for 20-30 minutes, occasionally stirring, to release excess water.

Step 2: Create Herb Vinaigrette

• Basil
• Parsley
• Oregano
• Optional lemon verbena

Blend herbs with olive oil in a food processor or blender until finely chopped. Alternatively, whisk olive oil and finely chop herbs separately.

Step 3: Combine Salad Ingredients

• Drained cucumber slices
• Chopped red onion
• Crumbled feta cheese

Step 4: Dress and Finish Salad

Drizzle half the herb vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently. Add more dressing if desired. Sprinkle with black pepper and garnish with edible flowers for a beautiful presentation.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Chill briefly before serving to enhance flavors. Best enjoyed immediately as a light, refreshing side dish perfect for summer gatherings.

Fresh Tips for Better Cucumber & Feta Salad

• Drain Thoroughly: Salt cucumbers beforehand to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crisp and refreshing salad texture that prevents watery results.
• Herb Freshness Matters: Use freshly picked herbs straight from the garden or farmers market for maximum flavor and vibrant green color in the vinaigrette.
• Customize Herb Blend: Experiment with different herb combinations like mint, dill, or chives to create unique flavor profiles that suit your taste preferences.
• Cheese Selection: Choose high-quality, creamy feta from Greece or Bulgaria for authentic taste and optimal texture in the salad.
• Serving Suggestion: Chill ingredients before assembling to keep the salad cool and maintain its crisp, refreshing characteristics during serving.

How to Keep That Crisp Salad Texture for Later

• Refrigerate: Store leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent soggy cucumbers.
• Drain: Before serving leftovers, drain excess liquid and gently pat cucumber slices with paper towels to remove moisture.
• Refresh: Revive the salad's crispness by adding a few fresh cucumber slices and a light drizzle of herb vinaigrette just before serving.

What to Serve Alongside This Herby Feta Salad

• Elevate with Greek White Wine: Pair this refreshing cucumber salad with a crisp Assyrtiko from Santorini, which brings bright acidity and mineral notes that complement the herb vinaigrette and feta's tangy profile.
• Serve with Grilled Mediterranean Protein: Complement the salad with herb-crusted lamb chops or grilled sea bass, as the light, zesty salad cuts through the richness of the protein and creates a balanced Mediterranean-style meal.
• Add Crusty Bread on the Side: Include a rustic sourdough or traditional Greek pita bread to soak up the herb vinaigrette and provide a satisfying textural contrast to the cool cucumber and creamy feta.
• Match with Crisp Rosé: Choose a Provençal rosé with herbal undertones that mirrors the fresh herb dressing and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the salad's cool, bright flavors.

Cucumber & Feta Salad Ideas to Mix Things Up

• Mediterranean Remix: Replace feta with creamy goat cheese and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version that brings bold Mediterranean flavors to the salad.
• Spicy Cucumber Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños or red chili flakes to create a zesty, heat-infused salad that adds exciting flavor complexity while maintaining the fresh cucumber base.
• Protein Power Boost: Mix in grilled chicken or chickpeas to transform the light salad into a more substantial meal with added protein and nutritional value.
• Asian-Inspired Fusion: Swap herb vinaigrette with rice vinegar, add sesame oil, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro for an east-meets-west flavor profile.

Cucumber & Feta Salad with Herb Vinaigrette Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean cucumber and feta salad showcases crisp vegetables and tangy cheese dancing with zesty herb dressing. Cool Mediterranean flavors invite refreshment, promising a light and elegant experience that delights palates with each vibrant bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 medium cucumbers
• 4 ounces (113 grams) crumbled feta cheese
• ½ medium red onion

Herbs and Seasonings:

• ¼ cup packed fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup packed fresh parsley leaves
• 1 tablespoon packed fresh oregano
• 1 or 2 lemon verbena leaves (optional)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Dressing and Garnish:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Edible flowers, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare cucumber by slicing and placing in a metal sieve positioned over a collection bowl to extract excess moisture.
2. Generously salt cucumber slices and gently toss, allowing liquid to drain for approximately 25 minutes, stirring periodically.
3. Create herb vinaigrette by blending fresh basil, parsley, oregano, and optional lemon verbena with high-quality olive oil until herbs are finely pulverized.
4. Alternatively, hand-whisk olive oil and manually chop herbs for a more rustic texture.
5. Transfer drained cucumber slices to a spacious mixing bowl, introducing thinly sliced red onion and crumbled feta cheese.
6. Delicately drizzle half the prepared herb vinaigrette over the salad, gently tossing to ensure even coating.
7. Adjust dressing quantity to personal preference, ensuring ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
8. Enhance flavor profile by sprinkling freshly ground black pepper across the salad surface.
9. Elevate presentation by garnishing with delicate, edible floral elements for visual appeal and subtle flavor complexity.

Notes

• Drain cucumbers thoroughly to prevent watery salad and enhance crisp texture.
• Salting cucumber helps remove excess moisture, creating a more concentrated flavor profile.
• Herb vinaigrette can be prepared in advance and stored in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Experiment with different fresh herbs based on seasonal availability or personal preference.
• Optional edible flower garnish adds elegant visual appeal and subtle floral notes to the dish.
• Serve chilled for maximum refreshment, perfect for summer gatherings or light lunch.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg