Mediterranean cucumber salad is filled with light and refreshing flavors, perfect for warmer months, and is a quick and easy side dish. 

When the weather starts warming up, I really love making different types of salads. Most of the time, they also help me to get rid of fresh produce that may be on the verge of going bad. 

Cucumber salad is so versatile and an easy way to add nutrition by increasing veggies and plant based protein. 

Be sure to read until the end where we list different protein options to make this salad more filling and a great lunch idea. 

If you can’t get enough of Mediterranean flavors, be sure to try Mediterranean Salad Skewers and Crispy Mediterranean Chicken Thighs.

Ingredients

For the dressing: 

• • Herbs – fresh basil and mint
  • Oil – I used extra virgin olive oil. 

• Red wine vinegar

• Dijon mustard

• Salt and black pepper 

If you like the dressing a little sweeter, you can add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup. 

For the salad: 

• Chickpeas – these are great for salads and add protein. White or kidney beans could also be added in place of chickpeas. 
• Cucumber – I used an English cucumber. These are a little sweeter than some varieties and the seeds are less noticeable. 
• Tomatoes – cherry tomatoes are the best for this salad, but you could use other varieties if you wanted. 
• Olives – be sure they are pitted. The kalamata olives are full of antioxidants. 

How to Make Mediterranean Cucumber Salad 

Add all of the dressing ingredients to a large bowl and whisk together. 

Place all of the chopped veggies into a bowl and toss in the dressing to coat. 

Tips for Making 

• If desired, process the dressing in a food processor till it reaches the desired consistency (can be chunky or smooth).
• Use our variations below to make a heartier salad. 

Variations 

Chicken: You can grill or bake some chicken breast and add it to your cucumber salad. Rotisserie chicken is another great option and it can save some time. 

Tofu: If you are a vegan or vegetarian, tofu is a great protein option. You can pan-fry,  bake it, or make it in the air fryer. 

Tuna: another great option that tastes amazing with these salad ingredients. 

Hard-boiled eggs: Eggs can add more protein and flavor. You can also use egg whites only if you want to lower the calorie and fat content.

Greek yogurt: Add some to the dressing to make it slightly creamy. 

Nuts and seeds: Adding some nuts and seeds will provide you with some protein, healthy fats, and fiber. You can use almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.

Cheese: Feta cheese pairs well with mediterranean flavors. You could also use grated parmesan. 

Pasta: feel free to toss in some cooked pasta or quinoa. 

How to Store 

Keep the salad in an airtight container for 3-4 days. The salad is best after it chills for at least an hour so the flavors have a chance to marry together. 

More Delicious Salad Recipes to Try: 

• Butternut and Beet Salad
• Chicken and Halloumi Salad
• Tuna Pesto Pasta Salad
• Vegetarian Pasta Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

Mediterranean cucumber salad is filled with light and refreshing flavors, perfect for warmer months, and is a quick and easy side dish.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Abbie

Ingredients

Dressing:

• 1/2 cup basil leaves chopped
• 1/3 cup mint leaves chopped
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• Optional: 1 teaspoon honey

Salad:

• 1 can 15-ounce chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 english cucumber halved lengthwise and sliced into half moons
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
• ¼ cup pitted kalamata olives halved

Instructions

• In a bowl, add basil, mint, oil, vinegar, Dijon, salt, pepper, and optional honey and whisk together. Optional: Process in a food processor till reach desired consistency (can be chunky or smooth).
• In a large bowl, add greens, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, and olives. Add dressing and mix all ingredients together.
• To make the meal heartier, add cooked grains and/or lean protein such as tuna, chicken, or tofu.

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