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This Greek cucumber tomato feta salad is a refreshing summer classic made with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, red onion, creamy feta, and a zesty lemon dressing. It’s easy to throw together and pairs with just about everything—perfect for BBQs, picnics, and everyday meals.
Try my Greek Chickpea Salad next or Melitzanosalata Greek Eggplant Dip next!
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Why you'll love this recipe
Everyone loves a classic Greek tomato salad—it's a flavor explosion that's made with a handful of everyday ingredients. This quick and easy salad is fresh, tangy, and full of Mediterranean flavor. It’s one of the easiest ways to enjoy ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers together—especially when summer gardens are overflowing. Prep is simple, and the flavors only get better as they sit.
Ingredient notes
- Cucumber – Any variety works. English or Persian cucumbers don’t need peeling, but if using thick-skinned slicing cucumbers, peel them and remove seeds if preferred.
- Tomatoes – Use the ripest tomatoes you can find. Juicy, in-season tomatoes make all the difference.
- Red Onion – Optional but adds a mild bite and crunch. Slice it thinly so it doesn’t overpower.
- Feta Cheese – For a traditional Greek cucumber tomato salad, I recommend a block of Greek feta made from sheep’s milk. Crumbled cow’s milk feta is a fine substitute.
- Fresh Herbs – I love using basil and dill, but parsley or oregano also work well.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Adds a rich, nutty base for the dressing.
- Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice gives this cucumber feta salad its bright, tangy kick. You can use vinegar if needed.
- Garlic, Salt, and Pepper – Just enough to tie everything together and make the flavors pop.
How to make this recipe
First, chop the cucumbers and tomatoes into bite-sized pieces, and thinly slice the red onion and basil or other fresh herbs, if using.
Add everything to a mixing bowl along with the feta cheese, then cover and refrigerate until you're ready to serve. In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon zest until well combined. Cover and chill the dressing as well.
When it's time to serve, pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. This salad is best served chilled and can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Recipe tips
- Cucumbers: English, Persian, and patio cucumbers are best—no peeling or seeding needed. For waxy slicing cucumbers, peel and seed for better texture.
- Tomatoes: Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes like heirloom, vine-ripened, Roma, or cherry. Avoid firm or mealy ones—they lack flavor and juiciness.
- Onions: Red onion adds a punch, but you can use milder options like sweet onions or thinly sliced shallots for a softer bite.
- Feta Cheese: Blocks of Greek feta (sheep’s milk) offer better flavor and texture than crumbled cow’s milk feta.
- Fresh Herbs: Basil and dill are great, but parsley, oregano, or mint work too. Stick to fresh herbs for best flavor.
- Dressing: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Fresh lemon juice is ideal, but white or red wine vinegar is a solid backup.
- Make-Ahead: Chop veggies and prep the dressing ahead. Store separately and toss just before serving to keep the salad crisp.
Serving ideas
Serve tomato cucumber salad as a side dish for Greek Lemon Chicken, juicy Grilled Salmon, easy Broiled Salmon, family-favorite Oven Baked Chicken Legs, and Kofta Kabobs.
I've been known to drizzle a creamy tzatziki sauce over this salad and, oh my, it makes it even more scrumptious!
More salad recipes
📖 Recipe
Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad
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When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.
Ingredients
- 1 large Cucumber, about 2 cups coarsely chopped
- 1 large Tomato, about 1 ½ cups coarsely chopped
- ½ large Red Onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup Feta Cheese, or more as desired
- ¼ cup Fresh Basil or Parsley, sliced
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Dill
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ½ Lemon, zested and juiced, about 2 tablespoons
- 1 clove Garlic, grated
- ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt, or to taste
- ⅛ to taste Black Pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Add the CUCUMBER, TOMATO, RED ONION, FETA CHEESE, BASIL, and DILL to a mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the OLIVE OIL, LEMON JUICE, GARLIC, SALT, PEPPER, and LEMON ZEST.
- POUR the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Recipe Notes
- Cucumbers: English, Persian, and patio cucumbers are best—no peeling or seeding needed. For waxy slicing cucumbers, peel and seed for better texture.
- Tomatoes: Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes like heirloom, vine-ripened, Roma, or cherry. Avoid firm or mealy ones—they lack flavor and juiciness.
- Onions: Red onion adds a punch, but you can use milder options like sweet onions or thinly sliced shallots for a softer bite.
- Feta Cheese: Blocks of Greek feta (sheep’s milk) offer better flavor and texture than crumbled cow’s milk feta.
- Fresh Herbs: Basil and dill are great, but parsley, oregano, or mint work too. Stick to fresh herbs for best flavor.
- Dressing: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Fresh lemon juice is ideal, but white or red wine vinegar is a solid backup.
- Make-Ahead: Chop veggies and prep the dressing ahead. Store separately and toss just before serving to keep the salad crisp.
Equipment
- serving bowl
Jean Hershey says
Used home-grown tomatoes and it is so great! Wonderful marinade..although I used a teaspoon of sugar in it. The bomb! Make!
Traci says
That sounds amazing and homegrown tomatoes make all the difference! So glad you enjoyed the marinade and found your sweet spot. Thanks for trying it and for sharing your feedback!
Dannii says
This was such a delicious light and fresh salad. I will definitely be making it again.
Traci says
Yay! So glad you went for it and enjoyed. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Jacqueline Debono says
This is a super summer salad. The cucumber and tomatoes make it fresh and a little crunchy and the feta adds a lovely salty flavour!
Traci says
Yes!! All the things I love about this salad. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Ali says
Made this salad to use up some cucumbers that were about to go bad and it was so tasty! Loved the simple lemon olive oil dressing.
Traci says
Yay! So glad you went for it. We made it last weekend for a cookout and it was gone in minutes lol. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Andrea says
Fresh, bright and delicious flavors in this easy cucumber tomato salad. It's perfect for a BBQ or picnic.
Traci says
Yay! So glad you went for it and are enjoying it. Thanks for sharing your experience!
TAYLER ROSS says
I made this salad for a picnic over the weekend and it was amazing! Everyone loved it and was asking me for the recipe!
Traci says
Yay! So glad you went for it and enjoyed. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Michelle says
A delicious classic. I love the red onions and feta in your version! Yum!
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Michelle! Yes, cucumber tomato and onion salad with feta = a must
Toni Dash says
I love how refreshing this salad is! Packed full of flavors!
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks Toni! Yes...cucumber tomato salad does deliver ALL the flavor, doesn't it!
Jacque Hastert says
I will be making this today! I have all FRESH ingredients right out of my garden to create this delicious and colorful salad. Thank you for sharing!
The Kitchen Girl says
Perfect, Jacque! Timing is everything Hope you enjoy!
Wayne says
My favorite salad! It's so delicious and tasty!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Wayne! So glad to hear it Cucumber tomato salad is def a summer fav here too!
Jacqueline says
We've been eating a lot of salad this summer, particularly because we've had such a great crop of tomatoes and red onions! I like the addition of feta in this salad. Going to make this for lunch tomorrow!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Jacqueline! Glad to hear you can enjoy this one. Yes...the feta is my favorite addition to cucumber salad
Beth says
My husband and I's favorite salad! Will definitely be making this again!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Beth! So glad to hear it We love this one too! Thanks for letting me know
Anjali says
This recipe was so good!! Light, refreshing and perfect for summer. The lemon in the dressing really added a brightness to the salad that I loved!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay Anjali! Glad to hear it! It's one of my fav summer recipes 🙂 Thanks!
Alisha Rodrigues says
This is my go to salad. Love the freshness it has. And the best is, its so easy to make ...
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Alisha! Tomato and cucumber salad is absolutely my go-to for summer...all those fresh veggies! Thanks!
Alexandra says
This makes for the best side dish! It is a great combination of flavours and textures. We love to serve this with some grilled meats!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay Alexandra...same here! Cucumber salad is perfect cool-down side dish 🙂
Emily Liao says
Loved this cucumber tomato salad! So easy and fresh 🙂
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks, Emily! So glad to hear it 🙂 It's my fav summer salad right now!