Save to Pinterest One hot July afternoon, my neighbor Maria brought over a bowl of this salad after wed spent hours gardening in her backyard. I took one bite of those salty olives mingling with cool cucumber and realized something so simple could taste absolutely perfect.
Last summer I made this for a beach picnic and my friend kept asking what I put in the dressing. When I told her it was just olive oil and vinegar she looked at me like I was hiding some secret ingredient, but sometimes the simplest approach really does work best.
Ingredients
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes: Pick ones that give slightly when you press them because they will release more juice into the salad
- 1 large cucumber: English cucumbers work beautifully since the skin stays tender and you dont need to peel it
- 1 small red onion: Soak the sliced onion in cold water for ten minutes to mellow the sharp bite
- 150 g feta cheese: Greek feta packed in brine has the creamiest texture and best flavor
- 100 g Kalamata olives: These add the essential salty punch that makes the salad taste authentic
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil: Use the good stuff here since it really carries the other flavors
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar: Adds just enough brightness without overpowering the vegetables
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano: Fresh oregano works too if you have it growing in your garden
- Salt and pepper: Go easy on the salt since the olives and feta are already naturally salty
Instructions
- Prep your vegetables:
- Dice the tomatoes and cucumber into bite sized pieces that feel comfortable to eat with a fork and slice the red onion as thin as you possibly can
- Combine the base:
- In a large salad bowl toss together the tomatoes cucumber red onion and olives so everything gets evenly distributed
- Add the feta:
- Gently fold in the feta cheese trying to keep some larger chunks intact for those satisfying salty bites throughout the salad
- Make the dressing:
- Whisk together the olive oil red wine vinegar oregano salt and pepper in a small bowl until the mixture looks slightly thickened
- Toss and serve:
- Pour the dressing over the salad and fold everything together gently then top with fresh herbs if you like and serve right away while the vegetables still have their crunch
Save to Pinterest My cousin insisted on adding bell peppers to this recipe once and while it looked colorful something about the sweetness threw off the perfect balance between salty and fresh that makes this dish work so well.
Best Tomatoes to Use
Ive tested this with every tomato variety I could find at the market and vine ripened tomatoes consistently give the best results. Roma tomatoes hold their shape nicely but heirloom varieties bring so much more sweetness and depth to the bowl.
Making It a Meal
Sometimes I bulk this up with chickpeas or serve it alongside grilled chicken for dinner. The recipe also works beautifully stuffed into pita bread with a little extra feta crumbled on top for a quick lunch.
Serving Suggestions
This salad shines alongside anything hot off the grill but it also holds its own as a light main course on warm days when turning on the oven feels impossible.
- Chill your serving bowl for twenty minutes to keep the salad extra refreshing
- Toast some pine nuts and sprinkle them on top for added crunch
- Lemon juice works in place of vinegar if you prefer a brighter finish
Save to Pinterest Every time I make this now I think of Marias backyard and how something so effortless can transport you straight to the Mediterranean coast with just one bite.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of olives are best for this salad?
Kalamata olives are ideal for their rich and briny flavor, complementing the fresh vegetables and feta perfectly.
- → Can I substitute the feta cheese for dairy-free alternatives?
Yes, vegan feta-style cheese works well to maintain the creamy texture while accommodating dietary restrictions.
- → How should the dressing be prepared?
Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper for a balanced, zesty dressing.
- → Is this salad suitable for gluten-free diets?
Absolutely, all ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it a safe and tasty option for gluten-free eating plans.
- → Can additional vegetables be added to enhance flavor?
Yes, adding sliced bell peppers or capers can introduce extra flavor and texture to the salad.