Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad

If you're looking for a refreshing and healthy summer salad, look no further than the Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad.

This simple yet flavorful dish is packed with fresh ingredients like cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion, and tossed with a tangy dressing of olive oil and red wine vinegar. Plus, it's topped off with a crumble of creamy feta cheese for a touch of indulgence.

Whether you're looking for a light lunch or a refreshing side dish, this Mediterranean salad is sure to satisfy. Keep reading to learn how to make it yourself! This is my daughters favorite snack all year long, and we hope you love it too!

Looking for more salad recipes? Try my Radish Salad, Potato Salad, and Caprese Salad.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It's healthy and refreshing: The Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad is loaded with fresh vegetables and herbs, making it a nutritious and refreshing option for a summer meal or snack.
• It's quick and easy to make: With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this salad can be whipped up in 20 minutes or less, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
• It's versatile and customizable: This recipe can be easily modified to suit your taste preferences or dietary restrictions. You can swap out the feta cheese for a vegan alternative or add in some chickpeas or grilled chicken for extra protein. Plus, it's a great way to use up any extra veggies you have on hand.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Full list of ingredients with measurements listed below in recipe card. 

• English cucumber: adds crisp texture and a refreshing taste to the salad. Substitutions: Persian cucumber, regular cucumber.
• Cherry or grape tomatoes: provides juicy and sweet flavor to the dish. Substitutions: any type of tomato, roasted red pepper.
• Red onion: adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor to the salad. Substitutions: shallot, green onion.
• Olive oil: brings richness and depth of flavor to the dressing. Substitutions: avocado oil, sunflower oil, canola oil.
• Red wine vinegar: gives the dressing a tangy and slightly sweet taste. Substitutions: balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar.
• Kosher salt: enhances the flavors of all the ingredients in the salad. Substitutions: sea salt, Himalayan salt.
• Pepper: adds a subtle spice and depth of flavor to the dish. Substitutions: red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper.
• Feta cheese (optional): adds a creamy and tangy flavor to the salad. Substitutions: goat cheese, ricotta cheese, vegan cheese.

Equipment Needed

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk or fork
• Measuring spoons

How to Make this Recipe

Full step-by-step instructions listed below in recipe card. 

To make Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad, start by washing and slicing a long English cucumber into thin rounds. Cut a cup of cherry or grape tomatoes in half and thinly slice half a red onion. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar. Add the sliced cucumber, halved tomatoes, and sliced onion to the bowl and toss well to coat with the dressing. Season with kosher salt and pepper to taste.

If desired, sprinkle ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese over the top of the salad. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes (up to 4 hours) before serving. This will give the flavors a chance to meld together and will make the salad even more refreshing.

When you're ready to serve, give the salad a quick toss to redistribute the dressing and feta cheese. You can serve the salad on its own as a light lunch or side dish, or you can pair it with grilled chicken or fish for a more substantial meal. Either way, this Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad is sure to be a hit!

Variations

• Greek-style salad: Add kalamata olives and chopped fresh parsley to the salad for a Greek-inspired twist.
• Lemon and herb dressing: Swap out the red wine vinegar for freshly squeezed lemon juice and add chopped fresh herbs like parsley, dill, and mint to the dressing.
• Grilled vegetable salad: Grill the cucumber and tomatoes before adding them to the salad for a smoky, charred flavor.
• Mediterranean pasta salad: Add cooked pasta (like fusilli or penne) to the salad and toss with the vegetables and dressing for a heartier dish.
• Avocado and corn salad: Add diced avocado and cooked corn kernels to the salad for extra creaminess and sweetness.
• Chickpea and feta salad: Add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas to the salad for extra protein, and top with crumbled feta cheese.
• Quinoa and vegetable salad: Cook and cool quinoa according to package instructions, then add to the salad with the vegetables for a grain-based twist.

Wine Pairing

Since Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad is a light and refreshing dish, a crisp and citrusy white wine would pair well with it. Here are some options:

• Sauvignon Blanc: This wine has bright acidity and flavors of grapefruit and lime that would complement the salad's tangy dressing and fresh vegetables.
• Pinot Grigio: Another light and crisp white wine, Pinot Grigio has flavors of green apple and lemon that would complement the salad's flavors.
• Albariño: This Spanish wine has flavors of citrus and stone fruit that would pair well with the salad's bright and fresh flavors. My favorite is the Albariño, "Spanish Castle Queen" from Bushong Vintage Company, Paso Robles. At at $35 a bottle, it can't be beat!
• Vermentino: A light-bodied Italian wine with crisp acidity and flavors of lemon and green apple that would complement the salad's tangy dressing and fresh vegetables.

FAQ's

Can I make this salad in advance?

Yes! You can prepare the salad up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerate it until you're ready to serve.

Can I use regular cucumbers instead of English cucumbers?

Yes, you can use regular cucumbers, but English cucumbers have thinner skin and fewer seeds, which makes them ideal for this recipe.

Can I add other vegetables to the salad?

Absolutely! This recipe is very adaptable, so you can add other vegetables like bell peppers, celery, or carrots to the salad.

Can I use a different type of vinegar?

Yes, you can use a different type of vinegar like white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, but red wine vinegar pairs well with the Mediterranean flavors in this recipe.

Is the feta cheese necessary?

No, the feta cheese is optional. You can omit it for a vegan or dairy-free version of the salad, or you can substitute it with a vegan feta cheese alternative.

How can I make this salad more filling?

To make the salad more filling, you can add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or cooked quinoa to the salad. You can also serve it with grilled chicken or fish.

Tips

• Use fresh, ripe vegetables: This recipe relies on the fresh flavors of ripe vegetables, so choose the best quality produce you can find for the best results.
• Slice the vegetables evenly: Try to slice the cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion into similar sizes to ensure even distribution of flavors in each bite.
• Let the salad chill: Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes (up to 4 hours) before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Don't overdress the salad: This recipe calls for a simple dressing of olive oil and red wine vinegar, but be careful not to overdress the salad. You want the vegetables to shine, not be drowned in dressing.
• Adjust seasoning to taste: Taste the salad before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need more salt or pepper, or a splash of extra vinegar for extra tang.
• Add the feta cheese just before serving: If you're using feta cheese, add it to the salad just before serving. This will ensure that the cheese stays crumbly and doesn't get too soggy.
• Experiment with variations: This recipe is very adaptable, so feel free to experiment with different vegetables, dressings, and add-ins to make it your own.

Looking for more recipes?

Looking for more salad recipes? Try my Radish Salad, Potato Salad, and Caprese Salad.

Did You Make this Recipe?

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Recipe Card

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