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A refreshing and easy taste of summer, this Mediterranean cucumber salad is packed with fresh ingredients and flavors that you can totally make your own!

A refreshing and easy taste of summer, this Mediterranean cucumber salad is packed with fresh ingredients and flavors that you can totally make your own!


 

Sometimes, I just CRAVE a simple, refreshing, but packed full of flavor salad that comes together quickly and easily. Do you ever go through the same thing? It often hits me after, we’ll say, a more indulgent weekend, and I just want something green and from the ground on my plate. When these pangs strike, a crunchy, cucumber-filled Mediterranean salad sounds pretty much perfect.

This one is a cinch to make, too, with just cucumber, tomato, red onion, and olives topped with a little olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs. Plus, with its many colors and textures, I love bringing it to potlucks and picnics for an easy side in the summer. If you love Mediterranean-esque salads with fresh veggies and olives galore, you’ll be a fan of my Simple Italian Pasta Salad and Greek Quinoa Salad, too! They’re perfect options for a light lunch or healthy side dish for a get-together!

A refreshing and easy taste of summer, this Mediterranean cucumber salad is packed with fresh ingredients and flavors that you can totally make your own! #olives #healthy #salad #cucumber

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Fresh and Healthy: This salad is packed with fresh vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions so it’s full of good-for-you vitamins and minerals.
  • No Cooking Required: This is a no-cook recipe, which means it’s perfect for hot days when you don’t want to even think about turning on the stove or oven.
  • Colorful Presentation: The fresh veggies are full of vibrant colors that will catch everyone’s eye, making it a great dish to serve at gatherings or potlucks.

Ingredients

  • Cucumber
  • Tomato
  • Red Onion
  • Pitted Kalamata Olives
  • Olive Oil
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Fresh Herbs: like basil and parsley or even dill, optional

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities 

A refreshing and easy taste of summer, this Mediterranean cucumber salad is packed with fresh ingredients and flavors that you can totally make your own!
  • You can add more fresh vegetables if you have them. It’s a great recipe to use up odds and ends in the refrigerator or when the garden is going crazy and you have lots to use.
  • The dressing would be delicious with a squeeze of lemon.
  • A little crumbled Feta cheese would be a delicious addition to all these Mediterranean flavors.
  • To add more protein, toss in some yummy and tender Chicken Brine!

How to Make Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

Step #1. Add the cucumber, tomato, olives, and onion to a large bowl.

Step #3. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add herbs and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step #2. Add the vinegar and olive oil and gently toss.

Step #4. Serve salad right away or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 hours.

Recipe FAQs

How long does Mediterranean cucumber salad last for?

Since you dress it when you put the salad together, it can get a little soft if kept in the fridge longer than a few hours. I’d make it fresh and serve it immediately, or within 2 or 3 hours!

What’s in Mediterranean cucumber salad?

This recipe’s ingredients are super simple and fresh: cucumber, tomato, red onion, kalamata olives, oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and fresh herb if you have them! I love chopped fresh basil and parsley in it, or even a little dill tastes fantastic.

A refreshing and easy taste of summer, this Mediterranean cucumber salad is packed with fresh ingredients and flavors that you can totally make your own!

Expert Tips

  • If you’re using a regular, garden cucumber, cut it lengthwise and scrape the seeds out with a spoon – they can make the salad too watery.
  • Peeling the cucumber is optional but it’s a good idea to take a small taste and see if the peel is thick or bitter and go from there. (This usually isn’t a problem for English cucumbers, but it’s always good to check.)
  • If your onion is too strong, throw it in a bowl of cold water with a splash of vinegar for 10-15 minutes before adding it to the salad to draw out some of the sharpness.
  • Change up the dressing flavor and try a tangy homemade Catalina dressing instead.
cucumber and tomato salad with olives and basil in a white bowl

What Goes Well with Mediterranean Cucumber Salad?

This is so, so yummy with simple summer dishes, like baked or grilled chicken, a margherita pizza, tacos, or anything else with summery vibes! (It’s also tasty on its own — top with feta cheese and a little chicken or turkey for some light protein!)

Video of how to make Mediterranean cucumber salad:

More Cucumber Recipes to Consider

cucumber and tomato salad with olives and basil in a white bowl close up
5 from 1 vote

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

A refreshing and easy taste of summer, this Mediterranean cucumber salad is packed with fresh ingredients and flavors that you can totally make your own!
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 (Makes 2 cups)
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Ingredients 

  • 2 cups chopped, peeled cucumber (1 large cucumber)
  • 1 cup chopped garden fresh tomato, 1 large tomato
  • 1/4 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 cup pitted kalamata olives
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh herbs, scant 1/4 cup chopped, optional

Instructions 

  • Add the cucumber, tomato, onion, and olives to a medium bowl.
  • Add olive oil and vinegar, and toss gently to combine.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Adjust ingredients to taste (add more of what you like), and add fresh herbs if using.
  • Serve right away, or keep in the fridge for up to 3 hours before serving.

Video

Notes

  • You can use balsamic vinegar or rice vinegar instead of the red wine vinegar if you prefer.
  • This is so flexible — add more of anything that you like, and adjust the oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and herbs to your liking.
  • I love chopped fresh basil and parsley in this dish. A little fresh dill is also lovely.
  • This salad gets a little soft if left in the fridge more than a few hours, but I still think it tastes really good.
  • This recipes scales up really nicely. I’ll often make a huge bowl of it to take to picnics and potlucks in the summer when all of the veggies are so good.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 4 servings, Calories: 499kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 51g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g, Monounsaturated Fat: 31g, Sodium: 675mg, Potassium: 342mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 474IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 62mg, Iron: 2mg
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About Melissa Griffiths

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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