Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad with Olives + Dill is a perfect summer side dish recipe for using up an overabundance of garden fresh produce!
For more amazing, flavorful recipes featuring fresh tomatoes, I think you might enjoy Black Bean, Corn, & Tomato Salad, Summer Couscous Salad, Tex-Mex-inspired Corn, Tomato, & Avocado Salad, or refreshing, EASY Gazpacho!
My father-in-law has quite the green thumb and consequently, each summer we are the lucky recipients of a plethora of zucchini, squash, eggplant, cucumbers, green beans, and -- my favorite -- tomatoes. And y'all, I'm not using the word plethora lightly.
Below is just a fraction of the fresh summer veggies that my in-laws bestow upon us on a bi-weekly basis. And this particular bowl of goodness was my inspiration for today's Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad!
It's always fun to come up with new ways to eat these garden-fresh vegetables. I especially love tomatoes and cucumbers together, so this recipe is particularly delightful. It features a combo of tomatoes and cucumbers, of course. But it also showcases fresh dill (enter my own rampant herb garden), briny olives, and creamy feta cheese. In other words, it's the perfect summer side dish to make at least a small dent in our bountiful surplus of summer produce!
How to Make Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
This recipe is as simple as three steps:
- Mix up the dressing.
- Chop up the veggies.
- Combine all of the ingredients and chill.
It really is that easy!
You can assemble the dressing by whisking it in a bowl, shaking it in a jar, or whizzing it together in a blender or mini food processor. And if you feel so inclined to add extra fresh dill, just know that you're in good company over here. 😉
As for the veggies, I prefer peeling my cucumbers, since I find the skin to be slightly bitter. But feel free to leave the skin on if that's your preference. Also, I like using small tomatoes in this recipe -- such as cherry or grape tomatoes -- since they're less "seed-y." But again, any ol' tomatoes will do!
When it all comes down to it, this salad is as tasty as it is beautiful. I think -- no, I know -- that it would make a lovely addition to your next summer meal or celebration. It's a summertime staple at our house, and I hope that your family loves it just as much!
(And pssst...here's one last little hint. Toss it with some cooked corkscrew pasta and turn it into a Tomato Cucumber PASTA Salad with Olives and Feta. Yum!)
More Summer Salads with Cucumbers & Tomatoes
- Tomato Cucumber Poppy Seed Salad
- Marinated Tomatoes
- Creamy German Cucumber Salad
- Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad with Olives + Dill
Ingredients
Dill & Garlic Dressing:
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Salad:
- 1 pound cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half (OR about 3 large tomatoes, seeded & chopped)
- 1 pound cucumbers (approximately 2 large or 4 small), peeled & diced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, drained, pitted, & chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
For the Dressing:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, sugar, garlic, fresh minced dill, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until thoroughly blended. Alternatively, you may measure the ingredients into a jar, tighten the lid, and shake until incorporated, or blend together in a blender or mini food processor.
For the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta. Whisk or shake the dressing and pour over the top. Toss together until all of the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, removing from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. Stir well, garnish with dill, and serve with a slotted spoon to drain off any excess dressing.
Adapted from Perfect Party Food.
Post originally published on June 28, 2013.
Neema
Have you ever found a recipe that was so good that you never wanted to share the ingredients?๐คฃ๐คฃ...well this is IT for me . The 1st time i made it it was just for my husband & i and i swear i started dreaming of it๐คช๐. I made it again( using home grown tomatoes & cucumbers) for my mother-in-laws bday & i just sat back & watched their eyes light up with every bite. This is one of my treasured recipe finds๐. Thank you so much!!!
Berry
Very refreshing as a side or first thing in the morning with my boiled eggs
Carroll
This our new favorite salad. I have already made twice this week!
Lee Hein
Love Love Love this salad! I would probably use up to 1/2 of the amount of oil. You can alway add more to taste. I also didn't use the olives this time and still satisfied my appetite for this fresh salad.
Tammy
Just what I was looking for. I live in the desert, off grid, so Iโm always craving fresh and zingy vegetables, olives, pickles...etc. The addition of fresh dill is great. I bought the Kalamatas at the olive bar, they come in olive oil. I also bought the cubes feta in olive oil and spices. Buying those items in the oil and spices simplifies the dish as there is no need for additional vinegar or oil. Just add fresh dill and pepper. YUMMY!
Holly
I brought this to a family dinner. I added some corkscrew pasta. My father said it was the best pasta salad he's ever had and has reminded me a few times now how much he liked it. I will surely be making this again.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
So happy to hear that, Holly! I love increasing the dressing and adding pasta to this salad as well. ๐
Dario Bima
Ah! Added another healthy thing in my diet routine! It was so delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Dario! ๐
Keith
Good to very end!
Becca
I made this recipe for a party and loved it! Just a question, as I prepare to make it for a second time- would it be strange to add corn to it? I didn't know if that would mix well or not with the other flavors. Any thoughts? Thanks ๐
Becca
YUM! So excited to try this for a party I'm having this weekend. Just a question- do you think it would be okay to prepare Friday night, if the party is at 2 on Saturday? Or, would it get gross in the fridge that long? Thanks! ๐
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Sorry for my delayed reply, Becca...I hope this was a hit at your party! But to answer your question for anyone else who's wondering, yes...this salad will be deliciously marinated after being in the fridge for that long (but it shouldn't be too long!). ๐