This Cucumber Feta Salad is a dream for those seeking a vegetarian dish that's both light and full of flavor. Picture crisp cucumber slices dancing with creamy feta cheese, brightened by fresh mint and a zesty kick of apple cider vinegar. It's simple yet satisfying, making it perfect for lunches, picnics, or as a sidekick to your favorite grilled dishes. I love to make this salad on hot summer days—it's so refreshing and easy!
This recipe is: Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free and Vegetarian
Table of Contents
5 Reasons to Love This Cucumber Feta Salad Recipe
I have made this salad numerous times, and it remains one of my top favorite salad recipes because of these reasons:
- Keto-friendly and low carb.
- Quick and easy to prepare—perfect for busy days.
- Fresh salad with refreshing flavors.
- Versatile: enjoy as a delicious side dish or light main course.
- Simple ingredients that you likely have on hand.
Is Cucumber Feta Salad Low-carb?
Yes, cucumber feta salad is a flavorful and nutritious option for low-carb dieters, especially if all the ingredients have a super low-carb count. This flavorful salad recipe has less than 3 g net carbs per ½ cup serving. I picked the ingredients carefully so you can enjoy it alongside a favorite main dish without worrying about a carb spike.
And, If you want to expand your knowledge on feta cheese and cucumbers's carb content, I have detailed articles on "Is Feta Cheese Low Carb" and "Is Cucumber Keto" so check them out now.
Cucumber Feta Salad Ingredient List
To make feta cucumber salad, you will need the following simple ingredients:
- 12-15 leaves of fresh mint
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ shallot, sliced finely
- ½ cup feta cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
If you find yourself missing a few ingredients for this cucumber salad with feta cheese, try these keto-friendly substitutions:
- Shallots: Thinly sliced red onion soaked in water for 10 minutes works great.
- Feta: Crumbled goat cheese or cotija cheese can be a delicious alternative.
- Fresh mint: If you don't have fresh mint, dried mint works too—use approximately ½ teaspoon.
- Dried oregano: Dried marjoram can be used in place of dried oregano.
- Apple cider vinegar: Red or white wine vinegar is a great substitute for apple cider vinegar. Just avoid using balsamic vinegar in this recipe.
Additional Ingredients
A salad can always use a little spruce from one or two additions:
- Fresh herbs: Cilantro, chives, basil, arugula, dill, fresh parsley, or fennel fronds will give you an aromatic herby flavor.
- Chiles: Get some heat in the bowl with Anaheim, jalapeno, serrano or red pepper flakes.
- Citrus: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice, lime, or zest for a nice bright tang
- Cherry tomatoes: If you are not following a strict low carb diet, add sliced cherry tomatoes to make a cucumber tomato feta salad.
Note: These additional ingredients are optional and not included in the original recipe.
Cooking Tools
If you love minimum cleanup like me, this keto cucumber salad recipe is about to be a staple in your household. You will only need these cooking tools:
How to Make Cucumber Feta Salad: Complete Guide
Cooking Method
- No-cook recipe
Preparation Steps
- Cut the cucumber into manageable lengths, then halve lengthwise.
- Remove the seeds from the cucumber sections with a spoon and discard.
- Slice the cucumber and peeled shallot thinly. Use a mandolin to get evenly thin slices.
- Add the sliced cucumber and shallot to a bowl.
- Crumble the feta cheese and add it to the bowl. Add the dried oregano, kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper.
- Add the apple cider vinegar and olive oil.
- Mix gently with a rubber spatula to combine all the ingredients well.
- Gently fold in the torn mint leaves.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance the flavors.
💡 My Pro Tip
I prefer using a ceramic mandoline to slice the cucumber as it does a better job than most knives. Its only downside is that it is dangerous. I don't even let my kids touch it, and I've been working with them in the kitchen for years. If you are not familiar with the tool use a vegetable peeler. It works great. Another fantastic option is a spiralizer on the flat disc rather than the noodle disk.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
If you plan to have this healthy salad for dinner or lunch, you can make the salad in advance to enjoy it later. Just prep the ingredients and mix them when you are ready to eat.
What to Serve with Cucumber Feta Salad?
The best thing about a minimalistic salad is that it perfectly complements heavy dishes. I love to enjoy this flavorful cucumber feta salad with meals like:
- BBQ lamb chops: Cucumber feta salad is one of the finest barbecue side dishes ever. Pair your juicy lamb chops with the refreshing cucumber salad to balance flavors and textures.
- Grilled chicken chipotle wings: The delicious salad pairs well with the huge flavors in these chicken wings.
- Pan-seared pork chops: The crunchy salad is a perfect side dish to these tender, juicy, herb-infused, pan-seared pork chops.
Note: Although it is a perfect side salad, the cucumber feta salad is enjoyable by itself. The dishes on the list are mere suggestions of how I enjoy mine.
Storage Intructions
Transfer your leftover cucumber feta salad to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for a day. The salad does not store well because salt draws out too much water from the cucumber. It changes texture and flavor with longer storage.
Recipe Conclusion
Cucumber Feta Salad has hearty fresh summer flavors that I never hesitate to chase any time of the year. I lost count of the number of times I quickly prepared and devoured the refreshing salad. I love this recipe for its simplicity and minimalism. It gets ready in minutes and has minimum requirements. What's more, its minimalistic, low-carb value makes it a perfect side for many heavy dishes.
Did you try the recipe? Please leave your feedback in the comments section below. If you have given a new twist to this recipe, I'd love to check out your take on this - tag me with your creation on my Instagram and Facebook.
Need More Tasty Salad Recipes?
FAQs
After washing and cutting the cucumber, seed and drain them in a colander. Salt them to draw out any excess moisture before adding them to the salad. Also, ensure the cucumbers are fresh and firm.
Yes, as long as your diet is well-rounded and has all of your body's nutritional needs, cucumber salad is a wonderful daily addition to your meals.
The two have no significant difference as they are terms often used interchangeably. Feta is a type of cheese of Greek origin.
Cucumber Feta Salad 🥒
Ingredients
Cucumber Feta Salad Ingredient List
- 12-15 leaves of fresh mint
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cucumber sliced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ shallot sliced finely
- ½ cup feta cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Cut the cucumber into manageable lengths, then halve lengthwise.
- Remove the seeds from the cucumber sections with a spoon and discard.
- Slice the cucumber and peeled shallot thinly. Use a mandolin to get evenly thin slices.
- Add the sliced cucumber and shallot to a bowl.
- Crumble the feta cheese and add it to the bowl. Add the dried oregano, kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper.
- Add the apple cider vinegar and olive oil.
- Mix gently with a rubber spatula to combine all the ingredients well.
- Gently fold in the torn mint leaves.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance the flavors.
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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