Creamy Feta Dill Cucumber Salad
A refreshing, no-cook summer salad featuring crisp cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and fresh dill in a bright lemon-olive oil dressing. Perfect for warm weather and busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
- English or Persian cucumbers (firm, bright green)
- Block of feta cheese (brined in whey)
- Fresh dill (feathery tops)
- Extra virgin olive oil (robust, fruity)
- Fresh lemon juice
- Red onion (thinly sliced)
- Fresh garlic (minced or grated)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Wash cucumbers thoroughly. If using regular cucumbers, peel them; if using English or Persian, leave skin on. Pat dry.
- Slice cucumbers into half-moon shapes or thin rounds (approx. 1/8 inch thick) and place in a large bowl.
- Peel and thinly slice red onion, aiming for translucent slices, and add to the bowl with cucumbers.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, lemon zest (if using), salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
- Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and onions. Toss gently to coat evenly without crushing the vegetables.
- Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cucumbers to soften slightly.
- Crumble feta cheese into bite-sized chunks and tear fresh dill leaves if sprigs are large.
- Add feta and dill to the salad and toss one more time to distribute evenly.
- Serve immediately chilled or at room temperature. Garnish with extra dill and a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
[‘To prevent sogginess, salt cucumbers lightly and drain excess liquid after 10 minutes before adding other ingredients.’, ‘Use block feta rather than pre-crumbled for better texture and flavor.’, ‘If the dressing is too sour, add a pinch of sugar or honey.’, ‘Do not freeze this salad as cucumbers will become mushy upon thawing.’, ‘Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 175
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
Keywords: cucumber salad, feta salad, dill salad, no-cook recipe, summer salad, gluten-free, keto-friendly, healthy side dish, creamy salad