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If you’re craving a fresh, vibrant, and utterly satisfying dish, the Summer Salad with Feta, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Olives Recipe is an absolute must-try. This salad bursts with a delightful combination of crisp vegetables, tangy feta, briny olives, and a perfectly balanced dressing that brings everything together in a way that’s both refreshing and deeply flavorful. It’s like summer captured in a bowl, making it the perfect companion for warm days or anytime you want to brighten your meal with something light but memorable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is wonderfully simple yet relies on each ingredient to build layers of flavor, texture, and color that transform an ordinary salad into a showstopper. Every component plays a crucial role in balancing freshness, creaminess, and zing.
- Mixed salad greens: The crisp foundation offering freshness and a variety of textures.
- Cherry tomatoes: Bright and juicy, they provide a burst of sweetness and color.
- Cucumber: Cool and crunchy, adding a refreshing bite that keeps the salad light.
- Red onion: Thinly sliced to give just the right amount of sharpness without overpowering.
- Feta cheese: Crumbled for creamy, tangy richness that complements the veggies perfectly.
- Black olives: Sliced to introduce a salty, savory depth that elevates the overall experience.
- Olive oil: The smooth, fruity base for the dressing, balancing acidity and flavor.
- Balsamic vinegar: Adds a subtle sweetness and tang that ties the salad together.
- Dijon mustard: Provides a gentle kick to the dressing, enhancing complexity.
- Honey: A touch of natural sweetness to round out the acidity and spice.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all the tastes into harmony.
How to Make Summer Salad with Feta, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Olives Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Greens
Begin by washing your mixed salad greens thoroughly in cold water. This simple step removes any dirt or grit, ensuring every bite is perfectly clean and crisp. Once washed, dry the greens gently with a towel or a salad spinner, so the dressing will cling beautifully without watering down the salad.
Step 2: Assemble the Base
Place the fresh, dried greens into a large bowl. Next, halve the cherry tomatoes, which deliver juicy pops of flavor, and add them directly to the bowl. Then, peel and slice the cucumber into thin rounds for that refreshing crunch, and toss it in with the tomatoes and greens. This trio sets the beautiful, vivid palette for your salad.
Step 3: Add the Aromatics and Creaminess
Peel and thinly slice the red onion into delicate rings or half-moons, depending on your preference — these will lend a subtle kick and lovely texture. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the mix, bringing a creamy, tangy note that contrasts perfectly with the fresh veggies.
Step 4: Incorporate the Olives
Slice your black olives into neat rounds, making sure they are pitted for easy eating. These olives introduce that unmistakable briny, savory depth that’s crucial for this salad’s balanced flavor profile. Add them to the bowl and prepare for the magic of the dressing.
Step 5: Create the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is emulsified—smooth, slightly thick, and flavorful. Taste and season with salt and pepper to perfectly complement the salad without overwhelming it.
Step 6: Toss and Taste
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly with your hands or salad tongs to ensure every leaf and slice is beautifully coated. Give it a quick taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Now your Summer Salad with Feta, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Olives Recipe is ready to dazzle!
How to Serve Summer Salad with Feta, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Olives Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs like basil, parsley, or dill on top for an extra layer of freshness and an appealing pop of green. A few toasted pine nuts or walnuts add a delightful crunch and richness, turning this salad into a textural delight.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, fish, or even a hearty slice of crusty bread to scoop up every last drop of dressing. It also makes a fantastic light lunch all on its own or an inviting side at a summer barbecue or picnic.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the salad in clear glass bowls to show off its colorful layers or arrange it artistically on a large platter, allowing guests to help themselves. You can even stuff pita pockets or wrap it in flatbreads for a portable, Mediterranean-inspired treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the salad without dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Adding the dressing right before serving helps keep the vegetables crisp and fresh.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh and does not freeze well due to the high water content in cucumbers and tomatoes, which become watery and lose texture when thawed.
Reheating
Since this is a fresh, chilled salad, reheating is not recommended. Instead, enjoy leftovers cold or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese instead of feta?
Absolutely! While feta provides a tangy and creamy texture that’s classic here, you can try goat cheese for creaminess or even fresh mozzarella for a milder touch. Just keep in mind that these will change the flavor profile slightly.
What if I don’t have balsamic vinegar?
White wine vinegar or lemon juice makes a great substitute. Both add the necessary acidity to balance the olive oil and sweetness, though the flavor will be a bit lighter and less sweet than balsamic.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes! Simply omit the feta cheese or replace it with a plant-based cheese alternative. The dressing and veggies are all naturally vegan-friendly, so it’s an easy tweak.
How long does this salad stay fresh after tossing with dressing?
We recommend eating it right after tossing for the best texture and flavor. If you must store it, cover tightly and refrigerate, but expect the crispiness to diminish after a few hours.
Can I add protein to make this salad a complete meal?
For sure! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas all make fantastic additions that turn this fresh salad into a satisfying, balanced meal. Just add them on top right before serving.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Summer Salad with Feta, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Olives Recipe a whirl soon. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a celebration of seasonality and simple ingredients done right. Easy to prepare, endlessly customizable, and irresistibly fresh, it’s the kind of salad that keeps you coming back for more. So grab your bowl, dig in, and enjoy the bright flavors of summer anytime you like!
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Summer Salad with Feta, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, and Olives Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 10m
- Cook Time: 0h 0m
- Total Time: 0h 10m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A fresh and vibrant summer salad featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, and black olives, all tossed in a tangy and slightly sweet balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for a light, refreshing meal or side dish on warm days.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Wash Greens: Start by washing the mixed salad greens thoroughly in cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Dry Greens: Dry the salad greens by gently patting them with a clean kitchen towel or using a salad spinner.
- Prepare Base: Place the clean, dried salad greens into a large mixing bowl.
- Halve Tomatoes: Take the cherry tomatoes and slice them in half, discarding any stems if present.
- Add Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the salad greens.
- Slice Cucumber: Peel the cucumber and slice it into thin rounds, discarding the ends.
- Add Cucumber: Add the cucumber slices to the bowl with the greens and tomatoes.
- Prepare Onion: Take the red onion and peel off the outer skin.
- Slice Onion: Slice the red onion into thin rings or half-moons, depending on your preference.
- Add Onion: Add the sliced red onion to the bowl with the salad ingredients.
- Prepare Feta: Take the feta cheese and crumble it into small pieces using your fingers or a fork.
- Add Feta: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the salad mixture in the bowl.
- Slice Olives: Take the black olives and slice them into rounds, discarding the pits if they are not pre-pitted.
- Add Olives: Add the sliced olives to the salad.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey.
- Mix Dressing: Whisk the ingredients together vigorously or seal the jar and shake it until the dressing is well combined.
- Season Dressing: Taste the dressing and season it with salt and pepper to your liking.
- Dress Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture.
- Toss Salad: Gently toss the salad with clean hands or salad tongs, ensuring that all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Final Seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve: Serve the summer salad immediately in individual bowls or plates.
Notes
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Use freshly ground black pepper and quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Feel free to add other fresh herbs such as basil or mint to enhance the taste.
- This salad is best served immediately but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day without dressing.
- Adjust the sweetness of the dressing by adding more or less honey according to your preference.
