Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad with Olives: Your Ticket to the Mediterranean 🇬🇷

Let’s cut right to the chase: is there any salad more iconic, more refreshing, or simply more delicious than a vibrant Greek-style Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad with Olives? I doubt it. It is the perfect blend of crunchy, creamy, salty, and acidic—it truly hits every single flavor note. If you’ve ever felt transported to a sunny Mediterranean villa with one bite, you know exactly what I mean.

I’ve been making this salad for years, especially during the summer when tomatoes are peak season, and every time I serve it, it disappears instantly. It’s shockingly simple, requires no actual cooking (thank goodness!), and is the ultimate companion to anything grilled. Forget sad, complicated meals; this salad is an easy, flavorful win. Ready to master the freshest salad you will ever eat? Let’s go! ☀️

🍅 The Power of Simplicity: Why This Salad Works

The beauty of this salad lies in its minimalist approach. Unlike American salads piled high with sad, bitter lettuce, this recipe focuses on highlighting the quality and freshness of a few core ingredients.

• No Lettuce Required: The base is hearty vegetables—tomatoes and cucumbers—which hold their structure beautifully, meaning this salad actually tastes great as leftovers!
• The Salty Pop: The combination of salty Feta cheese and briny Kalamata olives provides incredible umami that transforms the simple vegetables.
• The Finishing Oil: When you use good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, it coats the ingredients and forms the “dressing.” The liquid released by the vegetables creates the rest.

I once tried to add bell peppers to this salad and my friend, who is part Greek, looked at me like I committed a culinary sin. Sometimes, simple is best!

🥒 The Core Ingredients: Quality is King

Because we use so few ingredients, the quality of each component is absolutely essential. Don’t skimp on the olives or the cheese!

H3: The Vegetable Stars

• 4 Large Ripe Tomatoes: (I use a mix of vine-ripened and sweet cherry tomatoes). Roughly chop the large tomatoes, or halve the cherry tomatoes.
• 1 Large English Cucumber: Or 2 smaller Persian cucumbers. Peel and chop them into half-moon slices. English cucumbers are best because they have fewer seeds.
• 1 Small Red Onion: Thinly sliced into half-moons. (If you find the raw onion too strong, soak the slices in ice water for 10 minutes to mellow them out!)

H3: The Briny, Creamy Punch

• 1 Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese: Buy the block of Feta stored in brine, if possible. It is creamier and more authentic than the pre-crumbled stuff.
• 1/2 Cup Kalamata Olives: Pitted. Kalamata olives are the traditional choice and offer the best briny flavor.

🌿 The Classic Dressing: Oil and Acid Perfection

The dressing for this Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad is incredibly straightforward—so much so that you don’t even need a separate bowl to mix it! It relies on the liquid from the tomatoes for volume.

H3: Dressing Ingredients (Simple and Fresh)

• 1/3 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use a high-quality, cold-pressed oil; you will definitely taste it.
• 2 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar: This is the traditional acid used for its depth and tang.
• 1 Tablespoon Dried Oregano: Greek Oregano is stronger and more authentic, if you can find it.
• 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt: To taste, remembering the Feta and olives are already salty.
• 1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste.

🔪 The Assembly: Chill, Dress, and Serve

You need minimal effort here. The most important steps are chopping the vegetables evenly and making sure the final seasoning is spot-on. Active voice check: You will toss this beautiful salad right before serving!

H3: Step 1: Prep and Combine

1. Chop the Veggies: Place the chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and sliced red onion in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add the Brine: Toss in the Kalamata olives and the crumbled Feta cheese.
3. Hold the Dressing: Do not add the dressing yet! Cover the bowl and chill it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

H3: Step 2: Dress and Season

1. Pour and Toss: Right before serving, drizzle the olive oil and red wine vinegar over the vegetables.
2. Add the Herbs: Sprinkle the dried oregano, salt, and pepper over the top.
3. Gentle Toss: Gently toss the salad once or twice. You want everything coated but not bruised. The dressing comes together beautifully as the ingredients mingle.

H3: Step 3: Final Flair

1. Serve Immediately: Serve the salad immediately. This ensures the cucumber stays crunchy and the Feta holds its shape.
2. Bread for Dipping: Always serve this salad with crusty bread (like a baguette or Homemade Pita Bread!) for soaking up that incredible dressing at the bottom. FYI, that seasoned oil/tomato juice mix is called ladorigani and it’s liquid gold.

💡 Pro Tips and Variations: Making it Your Own

While this classic recipe is perfect, sometimes you want to add a little something extra to fit your meal or your mood.

• Herb Swap: Add fresh mint or dill for an extra layer of cooling freshness. IMO, dill goes perfectly with the cucumber.
• Make it a Meal: Toss in cubes of grilled chicken breast or canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed) to turn this side dish into a complete lunch.
• Add a Crunch: If you miss the lettuce texture, toss in about 1/4 cup of chopped bell pepper (green or red) for an extra crunch without the wilt.
• Onion Mellowing: If you hate the burn of raw red onion, soak your sliced onions in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes before adding them to the salad. This pulls out the sulfur compounds that cause the strong flavor.

🍽️ The Perfect Pairings: What to Serve It With

This salad is a superstar, but it truly shines when paired with simple, grilled meats or other Mediterranean staples.

• Grilled Glory: Serve it alongside Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers or simple grilled salmon.
• Mezze Platter: It is the centerpiece of any mezze or charcuterie board, especially paired with hummus and crisp vegetables.
• Sandwich Upgrade: Spoon it over a toasted baguette slice for a quick, fresh bruschetta-style appetizer.

📊 Nutritional Information (Per 1 Cup Serving)

This salad is naturally low in carbs and high in healthy fats from the olives and olive oil, making it a fantastic addition to most diets.

Final Verdict: Simply the Best! 💯

You just mastered the art of the perfect Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad with Olives. You’ve embraced high-quality, simple ingredients and learned the secrets to maximum flavor and crunch. Go ahead, make a big bowl and feel like you’re dining on the Aegean coast!

Now that you’ve got the perfect refreshing salad, would you like my simple recipe for Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers to complete your Mediterranean feast?