Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
- A refreshing Mediterranean salad combining crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
- Dressed with a bright, zesty lemon vinaigrette and dried oregano for authentic Greek flavor.
- Perfect as a light lunch or side dish for any Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- Prep Time: 15
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups diced cucumber (English or Persian preferred)
- 2 cups diced tomatoes (Roma or cherry)
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano (Greek if available)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
Instructions
- Dice the cucumber into 1/2-inch pieces. If using regular cucumber, peel if the skin is tough.
- Prepare tomatoes by dicing into similar-sized pieces as the cucumber. If using cherry tomatoes, halve or quarter them.
- Slice the red onion thinly. For a milder flavor, soak slices in cold water for 5-10 minutes, then drain well.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and optional Dijon mustard until well emulsified.
- In a large bowl, combine cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and olives.
- Drizzle about two-thirds of the vinaigrette over the vegetables and toss gently to coat.
- Add the feta cheese and fold in carefully to avoid breaking it up too much.
- Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad, focusing on the feta.
- If using optional fresh mint or other herbs, sprinkle on top.
- Allow the salad to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use the highest quality ingredients you can find, especially the olive oil, feta cheese, and fresh vegetables.
- The salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the components ahead of time and assemble just before serving.
- For a more substantial meal, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.
- Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 17
Keywords: Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, Mediterranean salad, Greek vinaigrette recipe, feta cheese salad, cucumber tomato salad