Looking for a fresh and zesty dish? This Cucumber Tomato Salad with Feta hits the spot! It combines crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and bold feta cheese, making it perfect for any meal. Whether you want a light lunch or a vibrant side, this salad is easy to whip up. Let’s dive into this delicious recipe and explore the steps to create your new favorite salad!
Ingredients
Fresh Produce
– 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
– 3 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped
– 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
Cheese
– 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Herbs and Seasonings
– 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– Salt and black pepper to taste
Dressing Ingredients
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Gathering fresh ingredients is key. Start with cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, and red onion. Slice cucumbers thin for crunch. Chop tomatoes into bite-sized pieces for sweetness. The red onion adds a nice bite to the dish.
Next, crumbled feta cheese gives a creamy texture. It also adds a salty flavor that balances the salad.
For herbs, fresh parsley is a must. It adds color and freshness. Dried oregano works well too. Don’t forget salt and black pepper to enhance all the flavors.
Lastly, we need a simple dressing. Olive oil adds smoothness, while balsamic vinegar brings a tangy kick. Mix these with the herbs, salt, and pepper for a bright finish.
For the full recipe, refer to the recipe section above.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Vegetables
First, grab a large mixing bowl. Combine the sliced cucumbers and chopped tomatoes in it. This is where the magic begins. The colors and textures blend well together. Cucumbers bring a juicy crunch, while tomatoes add a sweet and tangy flavor. This mix forms the base of your salad.
Adding Feta and Onion
Next, incorporate the crumbled feta cheese and thinly sliced red onion into the bowl. Feta adds a creamy, salty taste that enhances the salad. Red onion gives a sharp bite, balancing the flavors. Make sure to mix these ingredients gently. You want to keep the feta intact for that perfect creamy bite.
Making the Dressing
Now, let’s make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. This dressing adds a zesty kick. The olive oil smooths everything out, while the vinegar brightens the flavors. Dried oregano brings an earthy note that ties everything together.
Combining the Ingredients
Pour the dressing over your salad ingredients. Gently toss everything to combine. Be careful with the feta; you don’t want it to crumble too much. This step helps each piece of cucumber and tomato get that tasty dressing. It’s important for the flavors to meld, creating a delicious bite in every spoonful.
Finishing Touches
Finally, sprinkle chopped parsley on top. This adds a burst of color and freshness. Let the salad sit for 10 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to blend beautifully. Serve it in a clear bowl to showcase its vibrant colors. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil for an appealing shine. Enjoy your fresh and zesty Cucumber Tomato Salad with Feta! For a full recipe, check out the [Full Recipe].
Tips & Tricks
Serving Suggestions
Serve this salad in a clear bowl. This makes the colors pop and looks great. You want your friends to see the fresh green cucumbers and red tomatoes. A sprinkle of parsley on top adds a nice touch.
Enhancing Flavors
Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors blend nicely. You can also drizzle a bit of olive oil just before you serve it. This adds a hint of richness that makes every bite better.
Customizing Texture
Feel free to switch up the onions. Red onions are sweet, but white or yellow can add a sharp bite. You can also add diced bell peppers for extra crunch. This gives the salad more texture and a fun twist.
Variations
When you want to mix things up, there are great ways to change this salad. Here are some fun ideas.
Protein Add-ins
You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for added protein. Each option gives the salad a new flavor and makes it heartier. Grilled chicken pairs well with the fresh veggies. Shrimp adds a nice touch, especially if you grill or sauté it. Chickpeas are great if you want a vegetarian option. They add a nice texture and plenty of protein.
Different Cheeses
Try substituting feta with goat cheese or mozzarella for a flavor twist. Goat cheese has a creamy texture and a tangy taste. It will change the salad’s vibe while keeping it fresh. Mozzarella is milder and gives a nice chew. Both options can make your salad interesting and tasty.
Seasonal Variations
Incorporate seasonal vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for a unique touch. Bell peppers add a crunchy texture and sweetness. Zucchini is mild but adds a nice bite when sliced thinly. Using what’s in season can change the flavor and keep the salad exciting. You can experiment with other veggies too, like radishes or corn, to find your favorite mix.
For the full recipe, check out the detailed instructions above!
Storage Info
Short-term Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This keeps the salad fresh and crisp. Make sure to seal the container well to lock in flavors and moisture.
Preventing Sogginess
Separate the dressing from the salad until you are ready to serve. This simple step helps keep the vegetables crunchy. When you mix it all together right before serving, the salad will taste fresh and bright.
Freezing Recommendations
Avoid freezing this salad. The textures of the vegetables and cheese may degrade in the freezer. Freezing can turn cucumbers mushy and make feta crumbly. Enjoy it fresh for the best taste and texture. For more details on making this salad, check the Full Recipe.
FAQs
Can I make Cucumber Tomato Salad with Feta in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the salad up to 2 hours ahead. Just remember to add the dressing right before serving. This way, the salad stays fresh and crispy.
What type of cucumbers is best for this salad?
I recommend using English cucumbers. They have thin skin and fewer seeds, which makes them perfect for salads. Their crunchy texture adds a nice bite to the dish.
How can I substitute the feta cheese?
If you’re looking for alternatives, crumbled goat cheese works well. You can also try a dairy-free cheese. Each option offers a unique flavor, making your salad special.
This salad combines fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta cheese. Adding parsley, oregano, and olive oil brings out great flavors. Remember to let the salad sit for ten minutes for the best taste. You can also customize it with protein or seasonal vegetables. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and keep the dressing separate. Enjoy the crisp, healthy flavors of this dish. It’s a versatile recipe that you can tweak to fit your taste.
![- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced - 3 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced - 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and black pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Gathering fresh ingredients is key. Start with cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, and red onion. Slice cucumbers thin for crunch. Chop tomatoes into bite-sized pieces for sweetness. The red onion adds a nice bite to the dish. Next, crumbled feta cheese gives a creamy texture. It also adds a salty flavor that balances the salad. For herbs, fresh parsley is a must. It adds color and freshness. Dried oregano works well too. Don't forget salt and black pepper to enhance all the flavors. Lastly, we need a simple dressing. Olive oil adds smoothness, while balsamic vinegar brings a tangy kick. Mix these with the herbs, salt, and pepper for a bright finish. For the full recipe, refer to the recipe section above. First, grab a large mixing bowl. Combine the sliced cucumbers and chopped tomatoes in it. This is where the magic begins. The colors and textures blend well together. Cucumbers bring a juicy crunch, while tomatoes add a sweet and tangy flavor. This mix forms the base of your salad. Next, incorporate the crumbled feta cheese and thinly sliced red onion into the bowl. Feta adds a creamy, salty taste that enhances the salad. Red onion gives a sharp bite, balancing the flavors. Make sure to mix these ingredients gently. You want to keep the feta intact for that perfect creamy bite. Now, let’s make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. This dressing adds a zesty kick. The olive oil smooths everything out, while the vinegar brightens the flavors. Dried oregano brings an earthy note that ties everything together. Pour the dressing over your salad ingredients. Gently toss everything to combine. Be careful with the feta; you don’t want it to crumble too much. This step helps each piece of cucumber and tomato get that tasty dressing. It’s important for the flavors to meld, creating a delicious bite in every spoonful. Finally, sprinkle chopped parsley on top. This adds a burst of color and freshness. Let the salad sit for 10 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to blend beautifully. Serve it in a clear bowl to showcase its vibrant colors. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil for an appealing shine. Enjoy your fresh and zesty Cucumber Tomato Salad with Feta! For a full recipe, check out the [Full Recipe]. Serve this salad in a clear bowl. This makes the colors pop and looks great. You want your friends to see the fresh green cucumbers and red tomatoes. A sprinkle of parsley on top adds a nice touch. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors blend nicely. You can also drizzle a bit of olive oil just before you serve it. This adds a hint of richness that makes every bite better. Feel free to switch up the onions. Red onions are sweet, but white or yellow can add a sharp bite. You can also add diced bell peppers for extra crunch. This gives the salad more texture and a fun twist. {{image_2}} When you want to mix things up, there are great ways to change this salad. Here are some fun ideas. You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for added protein. Each option gives the salad a new flavor and makes it heartier. Grilled chicken pairs well with the fresh veggies. Shrimp adds a nice touch, especially if you grill or sauté it. Chickpeas are great if you want a vegetarian option. They add a nice texture and plenty of protein. Try substituting feta with goat cheese or mozzarella for a flavor twist. Goat cheese has a creamy texture and a tangy taste. It will change the salad’s vibe while keeping it fresh. Mozzarella is milder and gives a nice chew. Both options can make your salad interesting and tasty. Incorporate seasonal vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for a unique touch. Bell peppers add a crunchy texture and sweetness. Zucchini is mild but adds a nice bite when sliced thinly. Using what’s in season can change the flavor and keep the salad exciting. You can experiment with other veggies too, like radishes or corn, to find your favorite mix. For the full recipe, check out the detailed instructions above! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This keeps the salad fresh and crisp. Make sure to seal the container well to lock in flavors and moisture. Separate the dressing from the salad until you are ready to serve. This simple step helps keep the vegetables crunchy. When you mix it all together right before serving, the salad will taste fresh and bright. Avoid freezing this salad. The textures of the vegetables and cheese may degrade in the freezer. Freezing can turn cucumbers mushy and make feta crumbly. Enjoy it fresh for the best taste and texture. For more details on making this salad, check the Full Recipe. Yes, you can prepare the salad up to 2 hours ahead. Just remember to add the dressing right before serving. This way, the salad stays fresh and crispy. I recommend using English cucumbers. They have thin skin and fewer seeds, which makes them perfect for salads. Their crunchy texture adds a nice bite to the dish. If you're looking for alternatives, crumbled goat cheese works well. You can also try a dairy-free cheese. Each option offers a unique flavor, making your salad special. This salad combines fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta cheese. Adding parsley, oregano, and olive oil brings out great flavors. Remember to let the salad sit for ten minutes for the best taste. You can also customize it with protein or seasonal vegetables. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and keep the dressing separate. Enjoy the crisp, healthy flavors of this dish. It’s a versatile recipe that you can tweak to fit your taste.](https://recipespursuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/7fe42779-45b5-461d-b719-4d34f68302ff-250x250.webp)