This vibrant and refreshing salad is a perfect blend of crisp mixed greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy cucumber. The addition of red onion provides a subtle sharpness, while feta cheese adds a creamy, tangy contrast. Drizzled with a simple yet flavorful dressing made from olive oil and lemon juice, this salad is a delightful accompaniment to any meal or a satisfying light lunch on its own.
Most of the ingredients in this salad are commonly found in the produce section of your local supermarket. However, feta cheese might be less familiar to some. It's a brined curd cheese traditionally made from sheep's milk, though cow's milk versions are also available. Look for it in the cheese section, often near other Mediterranean-style cheeses. If you prefer a milder taste, you can substitute it with a similar crumbly cheese like goat cheese.

Ingredients For Salad Recipe
Mixed greens: A variety of leafy greens that provide a base for the salad, offering different textures and flavors.
Cherry tomatoes: Small, sweet tomatoes that add a burst of juiciness and color to the salad.
Cucumber: A refreshing vegetable that adds crunch and a mild flavor to the mix.
Red onion: Thinly sliced for a sharp, pungent flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Feta cheese: A crumbly, tangy cheese that adds richness and a salty contrast to the salad.
Olive oil: A staple in salad dressings, providing a smooth, fruity base for the dressing.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed to add a bright, zesty acidity to the dressing.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the salad ingredients and dressing.
Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the dressing.
Technique Tip for This Dish
To enhance the flavor of your salad, consider marinating the red onion slices in a bit of lemon juice for about 10 minutes before adding them to the mix. This will mellow the sharpness of the onion and add a subtle citrus note to the dish.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
mixed greens - Substitute with baby spinach: Baby spinach provides a similar texture and nutritional profile, adding a mild flavor to the salad.
cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes have a similar sweetness and juiciness, making them an excellent alternative.
sliced cucumber - Substitute with zucchini slices: Zucchini offers a similar crunch and can be eaten raw, providing a slightly different but pleasant flavor.
red onion - Substitute with green onions: Green onions offer a milder onion flavor and add a fresh, crisp texture to the salad.
feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture, making it a good alternative for feta.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a mild flavor that complements the salad ingredients.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and freshness, adding a slightly different citrus note.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt offers a similar salty flavor but with a slightly different mineral profile.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor, with a slightly different aroma.
Other Alternative Recipes to Try
How to Store or Freeze Your Dish
To keep your salad fresh and crisp, store it in an airtight container. This prevents the mixed greens from wilting and keeps the cherry tomatoes juicy.
If you plan to enjoy the salad later, consider storing the dressing separately. This ensures the cucumber and red onion maintain their crunch, and the feta cheese stays crumbly.
When storing the dressing, use a small jar or a leak-proof container. This allows you to shake it up before serving, ensuring the olive oil and lemon juice are perfectly blended.
For a quick refresh, add a few extra mixed greens before serving. This can revive any slightly wilted leaves and add a burst of freshness.
If you must freeze the salad, be aware that the texture may change. The mixed greens might become limp, and the cucumber could lose its crunch. However, the feta cheese and dressing will freeze well.
To freeze, place the salad in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. This helps prevent freezer burn and keeps the salad tasting fresh.
Thaw the salad in the refrigerator overnight. Before serving, give it a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and revive the flavors.
Remember, while freezing is an option, enjoying the salad fresh is always the best way to savor its vibrant flavors and textures.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Gently warm the feta cheese: If you prefer a slightly warm salad, consider gently warming the feta cheese separately. Place it in a small oven-safe dish and warm it in the oven at a low temperature (around 200°F or 93°C) for a few minutes. This will soften the cheese without melting it completely.
Use a skillet for a quick sauté: For a warm salad twist, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the leftover salad without the mixed greens. Sauté the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion for a couple of minutes until they are slightly tender. Add the mixed greens at the end, just for a quick toss, to avoid wilting them too much.
Microwave with caution: If you're in a hurry, you can use the microwave. Place the salad in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or wrap, and heat on low power for 20-30 seconds. This method is best for warming the salad slightly without cooking it.
Oven method for a warm salad: Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Spread the salad (excluding the mixed greens) on a baking sheet. Warm it in the oven for about 5-7 minutes. This method helps maintain the texture of the vegetables while warming them.
Embrace the cold: Sometimes, the best way to enjoy leftover salad is to embrace its chilled nature. Add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice or a drizzle of olive oil to refresh the flavors, and enjoy it as a cold dish.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine the salad ingredients like mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese.
Small bowl: A smaller bowl used to whisk together the dressing ingredients such as olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Whisk: A utensil used to blend the dressing ingredients smoothly.
Salad tongs: Handy for tossing the salad to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for slicing the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
Chef's knife: A sharp knife used for slicing vegetables like cucumber and red onion.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the correct amount of mixed greens and cherry tomatoes.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper accurately.
How to Save Time on Preparation
Pre-wash and chop: Pre-wash and chop vegetables like cucumber and red onion in advance. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge to save time when assembling the salad.
Use pre-mixed greens: Buy pre-washed mixed greens to eliminate the need for washing and drying, making the process quicker.
Batch make dressing: Prepare a larger batch of dressing by mixing olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in advance. Store it in a jar for easy use.
Crumbled feta: Purchase pre-crumbled feta cheese to avoid the extra step of crumbling it yourself.

Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups Mixed Greens
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 1 cup Cucumber sliced
- ¼ cup Red Onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup Feta Cheese crumbled
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese.
- 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
- 3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- 4. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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