Mediterranean Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Name: Mediterranean Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 3 cups chopped cucumber; 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes; 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion; 1/2 cup chopped Kalamata olives (pitted); 1 heaping tablespoon chopped fresh parsley; 1 heaping tablespoon chopped fresh basil; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 1/4 cup lemon juice; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 cup crumbly feta cheese

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe· 5 from 1 review

Light, simple, and fresh, this Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad is like summer in a bowl! Featuring tangy, zesty flavors from kalamata olives, feta cheese, and red onions, this seasonal summer salad is flavor-packed and made in just 15 minutes!

Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad in a white serving bowl, on top of a yellow napkin with a lemon and fresh herbs in the background.

When the summer heat is in full swing, nothing beats a cooling cucumber tomato salad. With its refreshing flavors, simplicity, and bright, vibrant colors, you really can't go wrong!

This Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad reinvents the classic summer salad with flavor-bomb additions like feta cheese, Greek olives, and fresh basil.

I guarantee it'll be a welcome addition to your next family BBQ or backyard cookout! Serve it alongside grilled sauerkraut hot dogs, BBQ chicken drumsticks, and an easy potato salad (without eggs) for a summer meal your entire family will love!

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Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredients
How to make Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad
Expert tips
What to serve with cucumber tomato salad
How to store
FAQs
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Why you'll love this recipe

Flavor - Bright, tangy, and herby, thanks to red wine vinegar, lemon juice, fresh parsley, and basil.
Texture - Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and creamy feta cheese combine for an absolutely irresistible side salad.
Healthy - Packed with fresh vegetables and heart-healthy olive oil, this Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad balances traditional, calorie-laden summer potluck sides.
Quick and Easy - Made in 1 bowl in just 15 minutes!

Ingredients

Cucumber - From English and Persian to slicing cucumbers, pretty much any type of cucumber will work for this recipe! Thin-skinned cucumbers don't require peeling, and seedless cucumbers have a smoother texture (in my opinion). However, you can use whatever you find in your garden or grocery store!
Tomato - Like cucumbers, any type of tomato is okay to use. However, I prefer cherry or grape tomatoes because they hold their shape better when sliced.
Red onion - For a sharp punch of flavor. Thin-sliced is key!
Feta cheese - Adds creamy texture and tangy, salty flavors.
Kalamata olives - Gives the salad a salty, briny taste. Make sure you choose pitted.
Herbs - Fresh parsley and basil add bright, herby flavor to the Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad. Look for flat-leaf Italian parsley and Genovese or sweet basil.
Lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and olive oil marry the salad ingredients. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best, and if you don't have red wine vinegar on hand, apple cider vinegar or white balsamic vinegar are okay substitutes.

How to make Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad

Recipe rundown

Prepare your ingredients.
Add everything to a mixing bowl (except the feta) and toss to combine.
Gently stir in the crumbly feta cheese.
Serve and enjoy!

Step-by-step instructions

Tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, fresh herbs and Kalamata olives, all chopped and added to a glass bowl.

Step 1: Add the cucumbers, tomatoes, sliced onion, olives, and fresh herbs to a medium-sized mixing bowl and mix to combine.

All dry tomato cucumber salad ingredients are in a glass bowl, with three small glass bowls next to it, containing fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar and olive oil.

Step 2: Pour the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil over the salad and give it another stir.

All ingredients needed to make the cucumber and tomato salad in a glass bowl.

Step 3: Gently mix in the crumbled feta cheese, serve immediately, and enjoy!

Expert tips

If using regular cucumbers, I recommend peeling them and removing the seeds for better texture.
Serve within 1 hour for the best texture, flavor, and appearance. As the Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad sits, the fresh herbs become soggy, and the cucumbers release juices, watering down the flavor.
Change it up based on your personal preference! Try adding chickpeas, shrimp, or chicken for protein. Use a Greek vinaigrette instead of vinegar, lemon juice, and oil. For more herby flavor, incorporate fresh oregano or mint into the salad. You really can't go wrong!

What to serve with cucumber tomato salad

Serve this Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad as a light and healthy side dish at lunch or dinnertime. It pairs really well with these summer mains:

How to store

Leftover tomato and cucumber salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I don't recommend making this Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad more than an hour in advance. Juices seep out of the tomatoes and cucumbers as they sit, watering down the flavors and making the herbs soggy.
It's best when served at room temperature right after it's made.

FAQs

Is Greek salad the same as Mediterranean cucumber salad?

While both salads will have similar flavors, a Greek salad typically contains fresh greens. The greens are used as a base for cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, Greek olives, and feta cheese. You'll often find Greek salad served with grilled pita bread and stuffed grape leaves.

Can I make this Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad ahead of time?

I don't recommend making it more than an hour in advance because the salad becomes too watery. However, you can prep your ingredients ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge until you're ready to assemble the salad.

How to prevent cucumber tomato salad from becoming soggy?

To prevent soggy cucumber salad, try using seedless cucumbers, as they have a lower moisture content and may release less water after they're sliced. Another option is to chop your cucumbers, lightly sprinkle them with salt, then place them in a colander over the sink. The salt will help to draw out excess moisture.