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Cucumber Tomato and Feta Salad

This Cucumber Tomato and Feta Salad is one of those easy summer recipes I find myself making over and over. It’s fresh, colorful, and comes together in just a few minutes, making it perfect for a quick side dish, summer BBQ, picnic, or potluck.

The combination of juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, onion, cilantro, and salty feta is delicious on its own, but the simple homemade dressing really brings everything together. For the best flavor, use the freshest and ripest tomatoes and cucumbers you can find.

I also recommend cutting the vegetables into similar-sized pieces. That way, you get a little bit of everything in each bite.

Ingredients

Salad

2-3 large tomatoes, diced
2 cucumbers, chopped
1 small sweet or red onion, chopped
¼ cup chopped cilantro
6 oz feta cheese, crumbled or diced

Dressing

2 Tbsp olive oil
1½ Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
2 cloves minced garlic
Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make Cucumber Tomato and Feta Salad

Add the diced tomatoes, chopped cucumbers, onion, and cilantro to a large bowl.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the vegetables and gently toss until everything is well coated.
Sprinkle the feta cheese over the top or gently mix it into the salad.
Serve immediately or let the salad sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

Choosing the Best Tomatoes

Any type of tomato will work in this recipe, but the fresher the better. Fresh garden tomatoes are especially delicious when they are in season.

You can use 2-3 large tomatoes, 5-6 Roma tomatoes, or about 1 pound of cherry or grape tomatoes. If you are using cherry or grape tomatoes, simply cut them in half or quarters, depending on their size.

Choosing Cucumbers

Regular or English cucumbers both work well in this salad. You can peel them or leave the peel on, depending on your preference.

If your cucumbers have large, watery seeds, you can scoop the seeds out before chopping them. This can help keep the salad from becoming too watery, especially if you are making it a little ahead of time.

What Kind of Onion Should You Use?

I typically use a sweet onion because it has a milder flavor that works well with the fresh vegetables. However, red or purple onion is another great choice and adds a nice pop of color to the salad.

If you find raw onion too strong, you can chop it very finely so that the flavor is distributed throughout the salad.

Cilantro or Other Fresh Herbs

Fresh cilantro adds a bright flavor to this salad, but you can easily change things up if cilantro isn’t your favorite.

Try substituting fresh basil or dill instead. You can also use dried herbs if that is what you have on hand. Add them to taste.

Adding the Feta

Feta cheese adds a salty, creamy element that pairs perfectly with the fresh vegetables and tangy dressing.

For a prettier presentation, sprinkle the feta over the top of the salad instead of mixing it throughout. If you’re serving this at a casual family meal, you can simply toss everything together.

Can You Make This Salad Ahead of Time?

This salad tastes even better after it has had a little time to soak up the dressing, but the vegetables will begin to lose some of their crispness the longer they sit.

For the best appearance and texture, I recommend making the salad shortly before serving.

If you want to prepare it ahead of time, chop all of the vegetables and store them separately in the refrigerator. Mix the dressing in a small container and refrigerate it as well. When you’re ready to serve the salad, toss the vegetables with the dressing and add the feta.

How to Store Leftover Cucumber Tomato Salad

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because the vegetables release liquid as they sit, the salad is best enjoyed within a day or two.

You may want to give it a gentle toss before serving leftovers and add a little extra feta if needed.

What to Serve with Cucumber Tomato and Feta Salad

This fresh salad makes an easy side dish for grilled chicken, burgers, steak, or fish. It’s also a great addition to summer BBQs, picnics, and potlucks.

With just a handful of fresh ingredients and a simple homemade dressing, this Cucumber Tomato and Feta Salad is an easy way to add something fresh and flavorful to almost any meal.

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