Mediterranean-Fusion Small Plates with Citrus-Herb Vinaigrette

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant collection of Mediterranean-inspired small plates featuring fresh vegetables, olives, and a zesty citrus-herb vinaigrette perfect for sharing. This mediterranean-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes turns halved cherry tomatoes, pitted and halved kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 180 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 medium diced cucumber, 1/2 cup halved kalamata olives, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1/4 cup finely sliced red onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper until emulsified and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetable and cheese mixture and toss gently until everything is coated and glistening. Chill for 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mediterranean-Fusion Small Plates with Citrus-Herb Vinaigrette take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Mediterranean-Fusion Small Plates with Citrus-Herb Vinaigrette?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mediterranean-Fusion Small Plates with Citrus-Herb Vinaigrette?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Mediterranean-Fusion Small Plates with Citrus-Herb Vinaigrette for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Mediterranean-Fusion Small Plates with Citrus-Herb Vinaigrette vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes