• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Evergreen Kitchen

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cookbook
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cookbook
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Published: Jul 5, 2022 by bri · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Greek Cucumber Salad

    This easy Greek Cucumber Salad takes 15 minutes to make. Pepperocini add a punch of flavor; and chickpeas add healthy protein to make it a meal. Perfect for quick lunches, dinners, and entertaining. Vegan option, Gluten Free.
    Jump to Recipe
    Greek cucumber salad with tomatoes, feta, peppers and olives in a bowl.

    This easy Greek Cucumber Salad is loaded with fresh veggies, creamy feta cheese, tangy red onions, and pepperocini! Pepperocini peppers add a bright and zesty flavor to this colorful salad. Chickpeas add a boost of protein, to keep you full.

    This salad recipe is perfect for quick weeknight lunches or dinners. It's also a very pretty dish—so you can make it for summer picnics or gatherings without a fuss. To make this recipe vegan, simply use your favorite vegan cheese. Or, if serving a mixed crowd, keep the feta on the side and let people add it themselves.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to make
    • Serving suggestions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Healthy: This colorful salad is made with tons of fresh veggies, chickpeas for protein, and olive oil for some healthy fats. The combination is nourishing, yet satisfying.
    • Delicious twist on a classic Greek salad: This recipe has a couple of delicious additions that makes this salad special. The addition of slightly spicy pepperoncini adds flavor; while the chickpeas add a plant-based source of protein to keep you full.
    • Easy no-cook recipe: If you have 15 minutes, you have the time to make this salad! We make this recipe often because it's fast and easy. And, it's perfect for the summer months, when it's too hot to turn on the stove!

    Ingredients

    This healthy salad is bursting with fresh veggies, creamy feta cheese, and an easy vinaigrette. Here are the recipe ingredients:

    Ingredients to make an easy Greek cucumber salad.
    • Cucumber: We love using English (hot house) cucumbers for this salad because they don't need to be peeled.
    • Tomatoes: Traditional Greek salads use full-sized tomatoes, but for this recipe, we recommend small cherry or grape tomatoes. They'll get less watery as the salad sits. And, they're often more consistently sweet and flavorful at the store. (If you've ever had a bland grocery store tomato, you know what we mean!)
    • Feta: Use your favorite feta for this recipe—dairy-based or vegan. We like to cut the feta into bite-sized cubes, but if you prefer to crumble it, go right ahead!
    • Pepperoncini: We love the slightly sweet and spicy flavor that pepperoncini adds to this salad. Chop them up fairly small so you can enjoy some in every bite.
    • Chickpeas: They're obviously not traditional, but welike to add chickpeas for a healthy source of plant-based protein. The chickpeas help make this salad "meal-worthy", so you can enjoy it for lunch, dinner, as a side, or as a main!

    How to make

    This no-cook recipe comes together in 15 minutes. So, it makes the perfect healthy meal when you're short on time! Here's how to make this Greek Cucumber Salad with Feta:

    Whisking together the vinaigrette for vegetarian Greek Cucumber Salad.
    1. Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a large bowl.
    Thinly sliced red onions in a glass bowl of red wine vinegar for Greek Cucumber Salad.
    2. Add the red onions to the dressing. The vinegar will help soften the onions and make them taste less sharp.
    Easy Greek Cucumber Salad ingredients in a bowl about to be mixed.
    3. Add the other ingredients and toss to combine.
    Feta cheese added to the Greek Cucumber Salad, ready to be tossed.
    4. Top with feta cheese and give the salad a gentle toss before serving.

    Serving suggestions

    This hearty spin on a Greek salad could stand on it's own for lunch or dinner. But, it would also be delicious served with other Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian or vegan dishes, such as:

    • Skillet Pan Spanakopita (Spinach Pie): This delicious, weeknight Spanakopita might just be the most delicious way to eat your greens!
    • Mediterranean Chickpea Casserole: This cozy one-pot recipe uses some of the same ingredients—like chickpeas and feta—so you can make the most out of your groceries for the week.
    • Greek Collard Green Wraps with Tzatziki: These healthy vegan and gluten-free wraps are great for busy lunches.
    • Vegan Greek Gyros: A plant-based spin on Greek gyros that definitely hit the spot!
    • Best Vegan Tzatziki: This creamy and delicious tzatziki tastes just like the real deal. Serve it with pita, for dipping.

    Frequently asked questions

    Do you peel English cucumbers?

    We don't! English cucumbers, sometimes called hothouse cucumbers, don't need to be peeled because their skin is thin and mild-tasting. They don't have the bitter tasting skin that other cucumbers can have. Of course, if you prefer to peel them, you can—but it's not required.

    What are kalamata olives?

    Kalamata are brown (or dark-purple) almond-shaped olives that are smooth and meaty in texture. They are named after the Greek region where they were original grown. Kalamata olives are sold with or without pits. However, we recommend buying the ones with pits, as they have a firmer texture.

    What can I use instead of kalamata olives?

    You could substitute black olives—or your other favorite olive—instead of kalamata. If you don't like olives, then just leave them out! If you're skipping the olives, consider adding 1-2 tablespoons of chopped capers instead. Capers would help add back some of the salty, briny elements that the olives would add.

    Are pepperoncini spicy?

    It depends on your heat tolerance, but pepperoncini usually have a mild to medium spice level. They have a slight tingle, but generally aren't as spicy as most other peppers. Pepperoncini are also known as Golden Greek peppers or Sweet Italian peppers.

    Greek cucumber salad with feta in a bowl on a table with fresh oregano.

    Other salad recipes

    • Black Lentil Salad with Feta
    • Halloumi Couscous Salad
    • Vegetarian Lentil Nicoise Salad
    • Curry Lentil Salad
    • Grilled Potato Salad

    📖 Recipe

    Greek Cucumber Salad

    This easy Greek Cucumber Salad takes 15 minutes to make. Pepperocini add a punch of flavor; and chickpeas add healthy protein to make it a meal. Perfect for quick lunches, dinners, and entertaining. Vegan option, Gluten Free.
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings 4
    Author: Bri
    Pin Recipe
    Greek cucumber salad with tomatoes, feta, peppers and olives in a bowl.
    Print

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
    • 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
    • 1 English cucumber, chopped
    • 1 red bell pepper, chopped (or yellow, orange)
    • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
    • 12 oz cherry tomatoes, halved (1 dry pint, see note 1)
    • ⅓ cup pepperocini, chopped (see note 2)
    • ⅓ cup kalamata olives (see note 3)
    • 1 can (15 oz / 14 fl oz / 398 ml) chickpeas, rinsed
    • 8 oz feta cheese (block), cubed (see note 4)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Make dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and salt. Add red onions, toss to coat, then let sit for 5 minutes to soften slightly.
    • Combine: Add cucumber, red and green bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, pepperocini, olives, and chickpeas. Toss to coat. Taste and season with more salt, if needed. Add feta, and gently toss to combine.

    Notes

    1. Tomatoes: If you can't find cherry tomatoes, substitute grape tomatoes instead.
    2. Pepperocini: Also known as Golden Greek peppers, Tuscan peppers, or Sweet Italian peppers. They are yellow to light green in colour, about 2-inches long. Sold in jars packed with brine. Drain before using.
    3. Olives: We recommend whole (unpitted) kalamata olives, for the best flavor and texture. You could use pitted kalamata olives, but they tend to be a bit softer. In a pinch, you could substitute black olives.
    4. Feta: Use your favorite block of feta, cut into bite-sized cubes. If preferred, you could crumble the feta instead. If vegan, use your favorite vegan feta alternative.
    5. Storage tips: Cover and refrigerate this Greek Cucumber Salad for up to 2-3 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 1130mg | Potassium: 530mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1868IU | Vitamin C: 94mg | Calcium: 332mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a rating below and tag us @evergreenkitchen on instagram!

    More Salad Recipes

    • Easy Orzo Pesto Salad
    • Mediterranean Black Lentil Salad with Feta
    • Halloumi Couscous Salad with Lemon
    • Roasted Beet Salad with Labneh

    Reader Interactions

    LEAVE A COMMENT Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Evergreen Kitchen! We're all about delicious vegetarian food you actually want to eat. Here you'll find craveable dinner recipes, meal prep ideas, healthy-ish desserts, and everyday cooking resources.

    More about us →

    Get the Cookbook!

    Evergreen Kitchen Weeknight Vegetarian Dinners for Everyone Cookbook Cover
    Learn more about Evergreen Kitchen:
    Weeknight Vegetarian Dinners for Everyone

    Fall Favorites

    • Butternut Squash Quiche with Cheese and Onions
    • Vegan Red Lentil Soup
    • Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Tofu
    • Curried Pumpkin and Lentil Soup (Vegan)
    • Festive Kale Salad with Roasted Squash
    • Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

    Fan Favorites

    • Vegan Smashed Chickpea Sandwich
    • Harissa Spiced Cauliflower Steaks
    • Mushroom Stroganoff
    • Vegan Tom Yum Soup
    • Peanut Butter Coconut Power Balls
    • Homemade Chili Garlic Oil

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Info

    About

    Privacy Policy

    Contact

    Contact us

    Recipes

    Jump to Recipes

    As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Evergreen Kitchen!