Sandy Beach Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Feta
A refreshing salad combining juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and salty feta cheese, inspired by seaside simplicity. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs ripe cherry tomatoes, halved, large English cucumber, diced, feta cheese, crumbled into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups ripe cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large English cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 large diced English cucumber, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
- Step 2: Drizzle 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the vegetables, tossing gently to coat.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and 1 tsp dried oregano evenly, mixing to distribute the seasoning.
- Step 4: Fold in 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves, tossing lightly to combine without breaking the cheese.
- Step 5: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and offer a cool contrast reminiscent of a breezy beach day.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sandy Beach Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Feta 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 Sandy Beach Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Feta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ripe cherry tomatoes, halved from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sandy Beach Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Feta?
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 Sandy Beach Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Feta 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 Sandy Beach Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Feta 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.
