Greek Cucumber Salad (Always a hit!)

Get your taste buds dancing with this Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad! Fresh and flavorful, it’s just the perfect fresh side dish you need on the table.

You just can’t go wrong with a classic Greek salad. With juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber slices, and salty feta cheese, these salads give so much flavor. Today I’m bringing you one that will easily become a staple, go-to recipe you’ll make over and over.  This Greek cucumber salad recipe that I have for you all is loaded with tasteful and healthy ingredients.

Do you want to know what might be my favorite part about this cucumber Greek salad recipe? It’s super presentable. I can serve it at my summer barbecues or on a hot summer day pool party and feel proud. I just love a pretty salad. Does that make me vain?

Okay, it’s more than just looks.  I’m not totally shallow…it’s also incredibly easy to throw together. All it takes is a large mixing bowl and some fresh produce.

I serve this side salad with grilled fish, chicken, or with some crusty bread for a light summer meal–everyone loves this!

Ready to make one of the best cucumber salads ever? Let’s take a look at the ingredients.

Ingredients for Greek Cucumber Salad

Cucumbers

Bring on the juicy, fresh, and crisp cucumbers – no salad aces it without them. You’ll be surprised how much hydration they add to the salad.

We need two large cucumbers for this recipe.Which type to pick? English cucumbers? Persian cucumbers? Kirby cucumbers?

It’s totally up to you. Just make sure they are firm and unblemished. I prefer to use seedless cucumbers because I don’t have to deseed them, but if you want to use a variety with seeds, just deseed them before you slice.

Grape Tomatoes

That pop of sweet juiciness – an absolute must-have in any salad that calls itself Greek. If you can’t get your hands on grape tomatoes, feel free to substitute them with chopped Roma tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are a good swap, too, as they are sweet and flavorful. Use different colors for a brighter-looking salad.

Onion

This is one of those ‘optional’ ingredients, but it packs a crunchy punch. I wouldn’t skip it. You can use a combination of red and green onions for more color and crunch. But if you’re using one type, stick to red onions. Also, thinly sliced onions work best.

Olives

Kalamata olives are what I prefer to use for this recipe, but any variety will work fine, just make sure they’re pitted. They are a fruit that’s higher in fat and lower in carb, and it’s the healthy fat our bodies need. Kalamata olives are a good source of minerals like iron, calcium, and copper, which may reduce your risk of anemia, strengthen your bones, and improve heart function. They also provide fat-soluble vitamins A and E.

Parsley

Bring in some greenery to the salad with a handful of freshly chopped parsley. It adds a mild, herbal flavor and beautiful color to the bowl. Half a cup would do. Parsley is the super power-up you need for your bones. It has a lot of Vitamin K and antioxidants.

Feta Cheese

Time to welcome the hero of this salad – feta! Crumble it into small pieces and sprinkle on top for a creamy cucumber salad. If you want to make this simple salad extra special, use fresh feta or tomato and basil-seasoned Greek feta. It won’t disappoint!

Red Wine Vinegar

For a zingy, tangy dressing, we have red wine vinegar on the list. Two tablespoons of this ingredient will add just the right amount of acidity to the salad. Lemon juice would work too or use apple cider vinegar.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

What’s a salad without some extra virgin olive oil? You’ve got to have it! A good olive oil dressing is non-negotiable. So, we will be using 1/4 cup of this goodness. Don’t worry about it making your salad too heavy. Olive oil has some really healthy fats that our bodies could use. Olive oil has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Salt and Pepper

Salt brings out the flavor of the rest of the ingredients and pepper balances everything.

Dried Oregano

For a hint of Greekness, throw in some dried oregano – just half a teaspoon. Fresh oregano leaves work too. If you use fresh, go for about a tablespoon.

Dijon Mustard

I love adding a hint of mustard to my dressings, and it’s perfect in this one as well.

Minced Garlic Clove

Garlic is a staple in Greek cuisine and you can’t skip it here! It adds irresistible flavor, but also packs in health benefits. Garlic is anti-inflammatory, contains powerful antioxidants, and has been shown to fight viruses.

Making the Easy Greek Cucumber Salad

1. Place the cucumbers, grape tomatoes, onion, olives, and parsley in a large bowl.
2. In a small bowl, mix your wet ingredients and flavors. Drizzle the dressing on the vegetables and toss well.
3. Now, gently stir in the crumbled feta. Done!

Tips & Recipe Ideas

• Always drain excess water from your fresh vegetables to make the salad crunchy and crisp. Use a paper towel or regular towel to pat them dry if needed.
• Try adding some crunchy nuts or croutons too!
• For a creamier version, add some Greek yogurt.

This will be a tremendous salad you’ll want to make year round. If you love crowd-pleasing salads with health benefits, you’ll love this Broccoli Cauliflower Salad, this Apple Cucumber Salad, and this delicious Thai Salad!

If you try any of these healthy salad recipes, please let me know! Leave a star rating and comment below so other recipes can see which recipes are tried and true. I appreciate you! If you make a Happy Healthy Mama recipe and share your picture on Instagram, I’ll feature you. Make sure to tag me!

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