Cucumber Greek Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a traditional Greek salad made of? ›

A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. This classic combination is delicious, so I stick to it, just adding a handful of mint leaves for a fresh finishing touch.

The primary difference lies in the use of specific ingredients. While both salads incorporate fresh vegetables and olive oil, Greek salad is characterized by the addition of feta cheese and Kalamata olives, giving it a uniquely Greek flavour.

It is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and iron. It also contains ingredients full of phytonutrients and antioxidants, such as oil and onion, which reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. We suggest adding this low-fat superfood to your everyday diet!

Greek salad is brimming with antioxidants like lycopene from tomatoes, polyphenols from olives, and vitamin C from bell peppers. These compounds combat free radicals, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and supporting youthful skin.

Should you peel your cucumbers for cucumber salad? Again, it depends on the variety and maturity of the cucumber. English or Persian cucumbers have thin skins which you do not need to peel. Regular market cucumbers may have thicker peels that can be tough and bitter, so it's best to peel those.

Happily, salting cucumbers requires only 20 minutes or so and virtually no effort: You just put them in a colander or strainer, toss them with a big pinch of salt or two — the exact quantity doesn't matter, since most of the salt will flow away with the liquid — and let osmosis do its thing.

The solution: The standard recommendation for ridding watery vegetable such as cucumbers of unwanted moisture is to salt them. The salt draws out the liquid from the vegetable because of the natural tendency of salt water solutions to equalize when mixed together.

Greek salad: While a Greek salad has a lot of “healthy” ingredients, the additions give it its flavor and appeal. Feta, stuffed grape leaves and olives can add hundreds of extra calories and grams of fat. This salad may start with a 300-calorie base, but just the olive oil in the dressing racks up 200 calories.

Like Bulgarian Shopska or Italian Caprese, the classic table salad uses just a few humble ingredients, yet has become a totally iconic dish that's beloved around the world. In Greece, Horiatiki or Greek village salad, is served most often from early spring through summer and up until mid fall.

How long can you keep Greek salad in the fridge? ›

In a large bowl toss together cucumbers, tomatoes, bell pepper, chickpeas, olives, red onion and parsley. Greek salad can stay last 4 days in fridge.

Some people perceive Greek food to be bitter due to the usage of herbs such as oregano, cinnamon, dill & parsley. However, to neutralize the bitterness, Greek use lemon extract in their cuisines. It should be noted that Greek cuisines may still bitter to the people who are not accustomed to Greek food!

The Keys to Crisp Lettuce

Lettuce actually needs a good amount of airflow, in addition to a bit of moisture (but not too much!), in order to stay crisp. That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it's held in the fridge.

Put your dressings together in mason jars, then label and store in the fridge. I personally like to dress my salads the day of because your veggies won't get soggy. If you have a tougher green (example kale) you can dress it on prep day.

A simple, healthy authentic Greek salad is a combination of vine ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, red onions, and crunchy peppers, tossed with chunks of feta, briny olives, and a simple dressing. No lettuce invited to this party.

Most traditional Greek salads are missing lettuce altogether. Similarities between the American version and the Greek version are green peppers, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives and feta cheese. The Greek dressing is a flavorful combination of freshly squeezed lemon juice and lot's of extra virgin olive oil.

Please also note that a traditional Greek salad does not include lettuce. It is quite common for Greeks to eat seasonally. A Greek salad is primarily a summer dish, and since lettuce only grows in Greece during the winter months a traditional 'Horiatiki' salad does not include lettuce.

I make my Mediterranean Chopped Salad with simple vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions mixed with chickpeas, feta cheese, and olives and toss it all in an herby, lemony vinaigrette! All you have to do is chop all the ingredients, make the dressing, and then mix everything together right before you serve it.