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- 2 large cucumbers, diced into bite-sized pieces - 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped into chunks - 1 small red onion, finely diced - 1 bell pepper (either red or yellow), diced for sweetness - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved for added freshness - 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced for robust flavor - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled for a creamy texture - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped for a burst of herbal flavor - 3 tablespoons high-quality olive oil for richness - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice for brightness - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Fresh vegetables form the base of this salad. Start with cucumbers. They bring a cool crunch. Next, add tomatoes. Use ripe ones for sweetness. A small red onion adds a sharp bite. Bell pepper adds color and sweetness too. Don’t forget halved cherry tomatoes for extra freshness. Flavor enhancers like black olives add depth. They provide a briny taste. Feta cheese brings creaminess. Its tangy flavor balances the salad well. Fresh parsley adds a pop of green. It brightens the dish and adds fragrance. For the dressing, high-quality olive oil is key. It gives richness to the mix. Red wine vinegar or lemon juice adds brightness and zing. Lastly, season with salt and pepper. This simple blend enhances all the flavors. Gather these ingredients, and you are ready to make a vibrant Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad. {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by gathering your main vegetables. You will need: - 2 large cucumbers, diced - 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped - 1 small red onion, finely diced - 1 bell pepper, diced Chop the cucumbers into small, bite-sized pieces. This helps with even mixing. For the tomatoes, cut them into chunks. Keep the sizes consistent for a better bite. Dice the red onion finely. This adds flavor without overwhelming your salad. Finally, chop the bell pepper into small bits for a touch of sweetness. Next, it’s time to add more flavor. Gently fold in: - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/2 cup black olives, sliced The cherry tomatoes add a fresh burst. Halve them for easy eating. The black olives bring a rich, salty taste. Make sure to pit and slice them before adding. This mix makes your salad vibrant and full of flavors. Now, let’s make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together: - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice Mix these well until they are combined. The olive oil gives a smooth base, while the vinegar or lemon juice adds brightness. This dressing will tie all the flavors together. Finally, it’s time to bring everything together. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Use a gentle motion to toss the salad. This ensures each piece gets coated in the dressing. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes. This marination time allows the flavors to blend. Serve the salad on a large platter. You can garnish with extra parsley and a few whole olives for a beautiful finish. Enjoy your fresh Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad! - Importance of Fresh Ingredients Fresh ingredients make a big difference. Choose ripe cucumbers and tomatoes. They add a sweet, juicy taste to your salad. Look for bright colors and firm textures. The fresher the produce, the better the flavor. - Allowing Time for Flavors to Meld Let the salad rest for about 10 minutes. This time allows the flavors to blend. When you drizzle the dressing, the veggies soak up all that goodness. It makes each bite tasty and full of flavor. - Serving Suggestions Serve this salad on a large platter. A colorful display makes it more inviting. You can also use individual bowls for each guest. This adds a touch of elegance to your meal. - Garnishing Tips Add extra parsley or a few whole olives on top. This adds color and makes the salad pop. A light drizzle of olive oil before serving gives a nice shine and enhances the look. - Tips for Prepping Ingredients Ahead You can chop your veggies a few hours before serving. Keep them in the fridge to stay fresh. Just mix them with the dressing right before serving. This keeps everything crisp and delicious. - Best Practices for Storage Before Serving Store leftover salad in an airtight container. It keeps the salad fresh for a day or two. Avoid adding the dressing until you are ready to eat. This helps keep the veggies crunchy. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for the freshest cucumbers and tomatoes you can find to enhance the salad's flavor and texture. Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to marry and the salad to refresh. Customize to Taste: Feel free to add other ingredients like chickpeas or avocado for added nutrition and flavor variation. Dressing Variations: Experiment with different vinegars or citrus juices to create unique dressing profiles that suit your palate. {{image_4}} You can easily change some ingredients in your salad. Here are a couple of ideas: - Alternative Vegetables: Try adding diced avocado for creaminess. Arugula gives a peppery kick. You can also mix in radishes for a crunchy texture. - Different Cheese Options: Swap feta for goat cheese. It adds a tangy taste that pairs well with the fresh veggies. You can even use a dairy-free cheese if you prefer. Changing up the dressing can make your salad new and exciting: - Balsamic Vinegar Substitute: If you don’t have red wine vinegar, use balsamic vinegar. It brings a sweet note to the salad. - Homemade Herb Infusions: Mix olive oil with fresh herbs like basil or dill. This will create a fragrant dressing that adds depth to the flavors. This salad is great for various diets: - Gluten-Free Options: All the ingredients in this salad are gluten-free. You can enjoy it without worry. - Vegan Adjustments: To make it vegan, skip the feta cheese. Use a plant-based cheese or simply leave it out. The salad will still be fresh and tasty. To keep your Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad fresh, use an airtight container. Glass containers work well. Place the salad in the fridge right away. This helps keep the veggies crisp and tasty. When stored properly, this salad lasts about 3 days in the fridge. After that, the veggies may start to lose their crunch. If you notice any wilting or off smells, it's best to toss it. Freezing is not recommended for this salad. The cucumbers and tomatoes have high water content. Freezing can make them mushy when thawed. If you want to prepare some ingredients ahead, consider freezing the feta or olives separately. When ready to use, just thaw them in the fridge before adding to the salad. Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. To keep it fresh, follow these best practices: - Prep the veggies: Chop cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. - Store separately: Keep the dressing in a jar. - Combine before serving: Mix everything just before you eat. This way, the salad stays crisp and full of flavor. This salad pairs well with many dishes. Here are some ideas for a complete meal: - Grilled chicken: Adds protein and flavor. - Pita bread: Great for scooping up the salad. - Hummus: A tasty spread that complements the salad. - Fish: Grilled or baked fish works well too. These options make a balanced plate. To make the salad more filling, you can add protein. Here are some tasty options: - Chickpeas: Canned or cooked, they add fiber and protein. - Grilled chicken: Sliced or cubed, it gives a hearty touch. - Tuna: A quick way to boost protein levels. These additions will keep you satisfied longer. Yes, this salad is gluten-free. Here are key ingredients to check: - Cucumbers: Naturally gluten-free. - Tomatoes: Safe for gluten-free diets. - Feta cheese: Usually gluten-free, but check the label. - Olive oil and vinegar: These are gluten-free too. This salad is a safe choice for gluten-sensitive diets. This blog post covers how to create a fresh and tasty salad. We discussed key ingredients like crisp vegetables, flavor enhancers, and zesty dressings. I shared step-by-step instructions to help you prepare, toss, and serve the salad with ease. You also learned tips for the best flavor and suggestions for ingredient swaps and dietary needs. In closing, using fresh elements and allowing flavors to blend will elevate your dish. Enjoy experimenting with new variations and serving it in creative ways. Your salad can be both delicious and fun!

Vibrant Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad

A refreshing salad featuring cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta cheese, perfect for a light meal or side dish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large cucumbers, diced into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped into chunks
  • 1 small red onion, finely diced
  • 1 bell pepper diced (either red or yellow)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons high-quality olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon juice
  • to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large salad bowl, add the diced cucumbers, chopped tomatoes, finely diced red onion, and colorful bell pepper.
  • Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes and sliced black olives to the mixture.
  • Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and freshly chopped parsley evenly over the salad.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil and red wine vinegar (or lemon juice) until fully combined.
  • Drizzle the homemade dressing over the salad, and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Gently toss the salad to ensure each ingredient is well-coated in the dressing.
  • Allow the salad to sit for approximately 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Serve in a large platter and garnish with additional parsley and whole olives for a colorful finish.
Keyword cucumber, feta, Mediterranean, salad, tomato