Fresh Vegetable Salad with Feta & Olives is a vibrant, crisp, and refreshing Mediterranean-style salad. Packed with crunchy cucumbers, crisp lettuce, shredded red cabbage, sweet bell peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and sliced onions, it is elevated by creamy cubed feta cheese and tangy green olives.
Dressed in a simple lemon, extra virgin olive oil, and dried thyme vinaigrette, this colorful salad offers the perfect balance of textures and flavors. It makes a fantastic, healthy side dish for grilled meats or a light, satisfying lunch on its own.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Servings: 4 portions
Ingredients
For the Salad Base:
- 1 medium English cucumber, chopped
- 2 cups fresh romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small red or yellow onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup pitted green olives (sliced or whole)
- 150g (5 oz) feta cheese, diced into small cubes
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
For the Mediterranean Dressing:
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp dried thyme (or dried oregano)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Chop the Fresh Vegetables
Wash and dry all produce thoroughly. On a clean cutting board, chop the cucumber, lettuce, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and onion into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Shred the red cabbage finely.
2. Assemble in a Serving Bowl
Transfer all the prepared vegetables into a large salad bowl. Add the green olives, cubed feta cheese, and finely chopped fresh parsley.
3. Whisk the Dressing
In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried thyme, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until fully emulsified.
4. Toss and Serve
Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad ingredients. Toss gently using salad tongs to ensure the vegetables are coated without breaking up the feta cheese cubes. Serve immediately while cool and crisp!
Helpful Cooking Tips
- Dress Before Serving: Add the lemon and olive oil dressing just before serving to keep the lettuce and red cabbage extra crisp and crunchy.
- Mind the Salt: Feta cheese and olives are naturally salty, so taste the salad before adding extra salt to the dressing.
- Uniform Chop: Cutting all the vegetables into similar sizes makes the salad easier to eat and ensures every forkful has a great blend of flavors.
Tasty Customization Ideas
- Add Protein: Top with grilled chicken breast, seared shrimp, canned tuna, or hard-boiled eggs for a complete meal.
- Swap the Olives: Use Kalamata black olives instead of green olives for a classic Greek salad profile.
- Extra Crunch: Toss in roasted walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or toasted pita chips right before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Mediterranean Fresh Vegetable Salad chilled alongside grilled chicken skewers, roasted lamb, baked fish, or warm pita bread with hummus!
