Mediterranean Salad – Fresh, Vibrant, and Bursting With Flavor
Mediterranean Salad is one of those timeless dishes that captures everything people love about Mediterranean cooking: fresh produce, bright herbs, high-quality olive oil, and layers of bold flavor. This salad is crisp, colorful, refreshing, and incredibly simple to make. Unlike leafy salads that wilt quickly, this veggie-based dish stays crunchy and delicious for hours, making it ideal for meal prep, picnics, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.
This recipe features juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, creamy feta, thinly sliced red onions, fresh parsley, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. Every bite is a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and herby — without any complicated steps or cooking required.
Let’s explore what makes this Mediterranean Salad such a must-have in your recipe collection.
Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Salad
- No cooking required — just chop, dress, and serve.
- Healthy and nutrient-packed — full of veggies, fiber, and healthy fats.
- Great for meal prep — stays crisp longer than leafy salads.
- Customizable — add chickpeas, chicken, avocado, grains, or fresh herbs.
- Pairs with everything — grilled meats, fish, pastas, or Mediterranean mains.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese, cubed or crumbled
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables
Chop tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, and onions. Add them to a large bowl. - Add the olives & feta
Mix in olives, feta cheese, and chopped parsley. - Make the dressing
In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. - Combine
Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. - Serve
Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
Mediterranean Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Chop tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, and onion. Add to a large bowl.
- Add olives, feta, and parsley; toss gently.
- Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
Notes
Tips for the Best Mediterranean Salad
- Use firm cucumbers (English or Persian) to avoid sogginess.
- High-quality olive oil matters — it elevates the entire dish.
- Crumbled or cubed feta both work depending on your texture preference.
- Add the dressing just before serving if prepping in advance.
Optional Add-Ins
- Chickpeas
- Avocado
- Orzo or couscous
- Grilled chicken
- Mint or basil
- Roasted red peppers
Serving Suggestions
Mediterranean Salad pairs beautifully with:
- Grilled chicken or salmon
- Gyros and pita wraps
- Pasta dishes
- Rice bowls
- Mezze platters
- Hummus and warm pita
It’s light enough to be a side dish but substantial enough to double as lunch when paired with protein or grains.
Storage
- Store in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
- Add dressing just before serving if storing for later.
