Authentic Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad with Homemade Croutons

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This Greek cucumber tomato salad is the ultimate refreshing dish—vibrant, simple, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors. While technically a “salad,” it doesn’t include any lettuce, making it a lighter, more authentic take on the classic Horiatiki or village-style Greek salad. Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, tangy feta, and briny olives come together in a perfectly balanced mix, topped with golden homemade croutons for a delightful crunch. Drizzled with a bright, homemade olive oil dressing, this salad is both elegant and satisfying—a perfect starter, side dish, or light lunch.

Greek cucumber tomato salad with feta, olives, and homemade croutons, fully mixed

Why This Authentic Greek Salad With Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Feta, and Homemade Croutons Is So Delicious

Greek salad has long been celebrated for its simplicity and fresh ingredients. In this recipe, we focus on crisp cucumbers (baby or Persian), sweet tomatoes, block feta, and briny olives. Adding homemade croutons gives a modern crunch that complements the creamy feta and tangy dressing, elevating this traditional dish for today’s home cook.

This was inspired by my other recipe on this site, and pairs well with this amazing sidedish recipe. Contextual, in-content links are far more valuable than a group listed at the bottom of the post.

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Why This Authentic Greek Salad With Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Feta, and Homemade Croutons Is So Delicious
Ingredients for Authentic Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad With Homemade Dressing
Steps to Make Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad With Feta and Homemade Croutons
Variations for Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad With Homemade Croutons
Substitutions for Authentic Greek Salad Ingredients
Equipment
Storage Tips for Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad With Homemade Dressing
Top Tip
Frequently Asked Questions About Authentic Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad
Salad Recipes
Main Dishes

Ingredients for Authentic Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad With Homemade Dressing

Here’s everything you need to make a vibrant, authentic Greek salad that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or entertaining.

Salad Ingredients:

Baby cucumbers or Persian/Armenian cucumbers, chopped
Roma or grape tomatoes, chopped
Half a red onion, thinly sliced
Optional: garbanzo beans for added protein
Red or Kalamata olives
Feta cheese block, chopped
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Homemade croutons (optional, for topping)

Dressing Ingredients:

Extra virgin olive oil (organic preferred)
Dried oregano
Red wine vinegar
Lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

This ingredient list highlights fresh, high-quality produce and classic Mediterranean flavors, ensuring your salad tastes both vibrant and sophisticated.

Steps to Make Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad With Feta and Homemade Croutons

Making this salad is simple, but each step ensures maximum flavor and freshness.

Chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion in a bowl for Greek cucumber tomato salad

Step 1: Chop cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion, then combine in a large bowl.

Adding olives, garbanzo beans, and feta to Greek cucumber tomato salad

Step 2: Add olives, garbanzo beans (if using), and chopped feta.

Shaking homemade Greek salad dressing in a jar

Step 3: Mix together olive oil, oregano, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for the dressing.

Pouring homemade dressing over Greek cucumber tomato salad

Step 4: Pour dressing over salad, toss gently, and top with homemade croutons and fresh parsley.

These steps are designed to be approachable, while still highlighting the fresh ingredients and classic flavors that make this dish authentic.

Hint: Use a block of feta rather than pre-crumbled for the best texture and flavor.

Variations for Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad With Homemade Croutons

You can tweak this recipe to suit your taste, or make it even more traditional or creative.

Add bell pepper: Thinly sliced green bell peppers add crunch and color.
Include capers or anchovies: For an extra briny Mediterranean flavor.
Try different croutons: Toasted pita chips or herb-seasoned croutons work beautifully as an alternative.

Experimenting with variations allows you to personalize the salad while keeping its authentic Greek foundation.

Substitutions for Authentic Greek Salad Ingredients

If you need to make adjustments, these substitutions still preserve flavor and authenticity.

Feta: Dairy-free feta or firm goat cheese works if needed.
Olives: Kalamata olives are ideal, but any briny, firm olive is fine.
Vinegar or lemon juice: You can omit one or the other depending on your taste; either creates a perfectly balanced dressing.

These simple swaps ensure everyone can enjoy this salad, even with dietary preferences or ingredient limitations.

Equipment

Large mixing bowl (for the salad)
Cutting board
Chef’s knife (for chopping cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta)
Small knife (optional, for olives or precise cuts)
Measuring spoons (for olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper)
Small jar with lid or blender (to mix the dressing)
Wooden spoon or salad tongs (for tossing the salad)
Air fryer or oven tray (if making homemade croutons)
Parchment paper (for baking croutons, optional)
Small serving bowl or plate (for croutons, if serving separately)

Storage Tips for Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad With Homemade Dressing

To keep this salad fresh, follow these simple storage guidelines.

Salad without croutons: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Dressing: Keep in a separate jar for up to 1 week.
Croutons: Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Separating the dressing and croutons ensures your salad stays crisp, flavorful, and visually appealing.

Top Tip

Prep vegetables shortly before serving and add dressing at the last minute to keep everything crisp.

Frequently Asked Questions About Authentic Greek Cucumber Tomato Salad

Can I make this Greek cucumber tomato salad ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep the vegetables a few hours in advance, but wait to add the dressing and croutons until right before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh.

Can I omit the croutons and still have an authentic salad?

Absolutely. Traditional Greek salad does not include croutons. They are optional and added here for texture and a modern twist.

What type of feta cheese should I use?

Use a high-quality block of feta for the best texture and flavor. Avoid pre-crumbled feta, which can be dry and less creamy.

Can I make this salad vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute feta with a vegan feta alternative or firm tofu marinated in lemon juice and olive oil.

What is the best olive to use in Greek salad?

Kalamata olives are traditional and highly recommended, but any firm, briny olive works. Avoid overly soft or canned olives for best flavor.

Can I add other vegetables to this salad?

Yes, thinly sliced green bell peppers are traditional in some regions, and cherry tomatoes or cucumbers can be swapped depending on size and availability.

Salad Recipes

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Main Dishes

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Greek Salad:

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