Crisp & Refreshing Greek-Style Cucumber Salad 🥒🇬🇷✨
1. Introduction
Looking for a healthy Greek salad that’s perfect for summer? This Greek cucumber salad is a light, crisp, and flavor-packed dish that will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection. With its refreshing crunch, tangy dressing, and fresh herbs, this salad offers a delightful way to enjoy the goodness of fresh vegetables in a simple yet elegant dish. Whether served as a side or a main, this refreshing cucumber salad is guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds and add a cooling touch to any meal.
2. Ingredients for a Refreshing Cucumber Salad
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup (optional for sweetness)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a little spice)
3. How to Make the Best Greek Cucumber Salad
Preparation of the Vegetables
Start by washing and thinly slicing the cucumbers and red onion. Place them in a large mixing bowl. For a more uniform look, use a mandoline slicer to get even slices and enhance presentation.
Creating the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey (if using), salt, and pepper. This dressing combines bright citrus flavor with a touch of sweetness, perfectly complementing the crisp cucumbers.
Assembling the Salad
Pour the dressing over the sliced vegetables and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Add the chopped dill and crumbled feta cheese and give it a light toss. The fresh herbs and cheese add aromatic flavor and creaminess to this healthy Greek salad.
Chilling and Serving
For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to become even more refreshing. Serve chilled garnished with additional dill and feta if desired.
4. Storage Tips for Leftover Greek Cucumber Salad
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Since cucumbers can release water over time, it’s best to drain excess liquid before storing. Stir the salad before serving again for optimal freshness.
5. Delicious Serving Ideas and Pairings
This Greek cucumber salad pairs perfectly with grilled meats, seafood, or as part of a mezze platter. For a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal, consider adding a side of zesty citrus shrimp salad or roasted peach BBQ chicken.
6. Frequently Asked Questions about Greek Cucumber Salad
Can I substitute the feta cheese with a vegan alternative?
Yes, you can use vegan cheese or omit the cheese altogether to make this salad vegan-friendly. The fresh herbs and lemon will still provide vibrant flavor.
What are some variations I can try?
For added crunch, toss in some toasted pine nuts or chopped bell peppers. To make it more filling, add grilled chicken strips or chickpeas.
How long does it take to prepare this dish?
The prep time is approximately 10-15 minutes, and chilling adds an extra 20 minutes for best flavor.
7. Kitchen tools that you might need for this recipe
Make your cooking experience easier and more enjoyable with these essential tools:
- Mandoline slicer: Get perfectly thin and uniform slices of cucumbers and onions quickly.
- Juicer or citrus reamer: For freshly squeezing lemon juice to brighten the salad.
- Mixing bowls: Essential for tossing and preparing ingredients effortlessly.
- Salad serving utensils: To serve the salad beautifully at the table.
These tools streamline your process and help you create restaurant-quality healthy Greek salads with ease.
8. Conclusion
This Greek cucumber salad is the ultimate refreshing cucumber salad that combines crisp vegetables, tangy dressing, and fresh herbs to create a light and flavorful dish. Perfect for hot days, quick lunches, or as a side to your favorite Mediterranean dishes, this healthy Greek salad is a versatile and delicious way to enjoy fresh produce. Try it today and bring a taste of Greece to your table!
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Crisp & Refreshing Greek-Style Cucumber Salad
Discover the ultimate crisp and refreshing Greek-style cucumber salad, a healthy and flavorful dish perfect for summer. This easy-to-make Greek cucumber salad features thinly sliced cucumbers and red onions dressed in a tangy lemon and olive oil vinaigrette, topped with fresh dill and crumbled feta cheese. Ideal as a side or light main, it’s a versatile addition to any Mediterranean meal.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and thinly slice the cucumbers and red onion. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey (if using), salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the sliced vegetables and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Add chopped dill and crumbled feta cheese, then give the salad a light toss.
- Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and serve chilled, garnished with additional dill and feta if desired.
Notes
- For a more uniform appearance, use a mandoline slicer to get even slices.
- Drain excess liquid before storing leftovers to keep the salad fresh.
- This salad pairs beautifully with grilled meats, seafood, or Mediterranean dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: none
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 120 kcal Kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
