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In the summertime, there’s nothing more refreshing than a Mediterranean Cucumber Salad made with crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, sweet red onion, and salty Kalamata olives. This is a bright, fresh salad that’s perfect for hot days when you’re not in the mood to cook!

☆☆☆☆☆ Seema commented: “I loved the crunch of this salad. It is perfect for any summer day and so refreshing.”

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad served in a white bowl with fresh herbs
Chef Ani headshot in white kitchen cutting lettuce.

This Salad Is a Summer Staple at Our House

Traditional Mediterranean flavors include basil, cucumbers, tomatoes, dill, fennel, garlic, red onion, lemon, parsley, mint, feta cheese, and oregano. Mediterranean cuisine uses all the elements of flavor, sweetness, acidity, bitterness, and umami — that’s what makes it so delicious!

Today, we’re using some of these flavors to create a beautiful, balanced, satisfying, and delicious Mediterranean cucumber salad.  

Here’s why I just know you’re going to love this recipe:

  • Quick and Easy: This tomato and cucumber salad is quick and easy to make. You basically cut the veggies, drizzle with a few ingredients, stir to combine, and you are good to go.  
  • Fresh summer flavor: The flavor combinations in this salad practically shouts summer. It is the perfect light meal or fresh side dish.
  • Portable: This salad is easy to bring on picnics, to the office, in your lunch box, etc.  

Best of all, you can add mix-ins like vegan feta, chickpeas, fresh herbs, and lentils to make this recipe your own!

XOXO Ani
cherry tomatoes surrounded by herbs and red onion
Mediterranean cucumber salad ingredients
Fresh herbs on countertop

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Cucumber: For this salad, use European cucumbers because they’re seedless and do not need to be peeled before eating. Another option would be mini cucumbers, which are plentiful at the supermarket these days.
  • Tomatoes: Use either cherry tomatoes (which are super sweet and juicy) or Roma tomatoes (which hold their structure and are less juicy than heirlooms or regular tomatoes).
  • Kalamata Olives: If you are tempted to skip these, you may regret it! The olives provide a slightly bitter, unique umami flavor that is the foundation for the special flavor of this Mediterranean cucumber salad. However, if Kalamata olives are unavailable, try mild green olives, which also have a unique taste.  
  • Red Onion: Adds a beautiful contrasting color to a salad and also a sweet and mild onion flavor. Should red onion not be available, look for a sweet and mild onion such as Walla Walla or Vidalia.
  • Olive Oil: Use a high quality, cold pressed olive oil if at all possible. Itprovides great texture, smoothness, and flavor.  
  • Lemon Juice:  Fresh lemon juice adds acidity and citrus notes to this cucumber salad. Be sure to use fresh lemon juice; it makes a huge difference. If fresh lemon is not available, try fresh lime juice.  
  • Agave: Bring some sweetness and balance to the lemon cucumber salad by adding a touch of agave. You can replace agave with maple syrup, vegan honey, or other sweeteners you prefer.
  • Fresh Herbs: Parsley is our favorite, but a touch of fresh mint and basil will enhance the experience. You can customize the flavors to your taste by adding other herbs, such as fennel, fresh dill, and fresh garlic.

How to Make This Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

This is such a quick and easy salad to make. Get ready to serve this recipe in less than 15 minutes!

Cutting cucumber for the cucumber salad
Chopping cucumber for the salad
Slicing cherry tomatoes

Step one: Prepare the vegetables by cleaning and cutting them. Combine in a medium-sized mixing bowl. 

Chef Tip: If using a seedless European cucumber as suggested, it does not need to be peeled. If using an American cucumber, it will have tougher skin and may need to be peeled.  

Slicing red onion with a chef knife
Fresh parsley being placed on cutting board
Mincing parsley

Step two: Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, and agave. Stir to combine.  

Adding olive oil to the Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
Adding olive oil to the Mediterranean Cucumber Salad
Adding fresh lemon juice

Step three: Add fresh minced herbs and salt to taste. Stir to combine.  

Adding salt
Mediterranean Cucumber Salad before mixing

    Optional Mix-Ins to Try

    • Vegan Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese is a common addition to Mediterranean-inspired salads. Now that we have so many delicious vegan feta cheeses on the market, you can include it too!
    • Marinated tofu: Instead of vegan feta, a healthier option would be to marinate and crumble tofu. Tofu is bland and can take on the flavor you like, so be creative! Soaking it in your favorite Greek dressing would probably work well.
    • Chickpeas: For some extra protein, add 1/2 cup of cooked chickpeas. Rinse with water and pat dry before adding to the salad.  
    Cucumber Salad with cherry tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, and fresh herbs.

    What to Serve With This Salad

    Pita Bread & Hummus: Serve this salad in a fresh pita pocket with homemade hummus, and you will be amazed at this quick and easy meal.

    Soups: Serve this salad with quick and easy soups like my creamy cherry tomato soup, potato kale soup, or red lentil soup. The contrast between the comforting hot soup and this fresh salad is unbeatable!

    Pasta: Check out my one-pot cherry tomato and basil pasta, this linguine cauliflower lemon pasta, or lasagna roll-ups.

    Burgers: Its crisp, bright, and fresh flavors will elevate your burger dinner to another level. Check out my mushroom oat burger, portoballo mushroom burger, and all-Americann vegan burger.  

    Garlic Knots: Serve with homemade garlic knots for a simple dinner.

    Serving the Mediterranean cucumber salad
    cucumber olive salad served on a white plate with a fork

    More Easy Summer Salads

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    Mediterranean Cucumber Salad served in a white bowl

    Mediterranean Cucumber Salad Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 4 reviews
    • Author: Chef Ani
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
    • Category: Salads
    • Cuisine: Mediterranean
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe

    Description

    In the summertime, there’s nothing more refreshing than a Mediterranean cucumber salad made with crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, sweet red onion, and salty Kalamata olives. This is a bright, fresh salad that’s perfect for hot days when you’re not in the mood to cook!

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 cucumber, diced or quartered
    • 1 cup cherry or Roma tomatoes, sliced
    • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
    • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon agave nectar (or maple syrup)
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 2–3 tablespoons parsley, minced

    Optional herbs:

    • 1 tablespoon fresh mint, minced
    • 1–2 teaspoons fresh basil, minced

    Instructions

    1. In a medium bowl, add the diced cucumber, diced tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and sliced red onion.
    2. Drizzle olive oil, lemon juice, and agave over the vegetables. Stir to combine.
    3. Add fresh herbs and salt to taste. Stir to combine

    Notes

    Store in the refrigerator for a couple of days. The flavors will continue to marinate, but the veggies will get a little soggier as time goes on.  

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