Vertical Layered Mediterranean Salad with Lemon-Oregano Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-04 · Updated 2026-08-04

A colorful, layered Mediterranean salad featuring crisp vegetables and tangy feta, topped with a bright lemon-oregano vinaigrette. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion 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 220 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

• 1 large, diced cucumber
• 200 g, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 small, thinly sliced red onion
• 100 g, pitted and halved kalamata olives
• 150 g, crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh oregano leaves
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1, minced garlic clove
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large glass or clear bowl, layer 1 large diced cucumber evenly at the bottom.
2. Step 2: Add a layer of 200 g halved cherry tomatoes, followed by a layer of 1 small thinly sliced red onion.
3. Step 3: Scatter 100 g pitted and halved kalamata olives over the onion layer.
4. Step 4: Crumble 150 g feta cheese evenly on top of the olives for a creamy texture.
5. Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano leaves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
6. Step 6: Pour the lemon-oregano dressing evenly over the layered salad.
7. Step 7: Refrigerate for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving chilled as a refreshing side or light meal.