Description
A fresh and vibrant salad featuring a colorful medley of cherry tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, red onions, black olives, and cucumber, all tossed with tangy sun-dried tomatoes and creamy feta cheese. Finished with a zesty homemade vinaigrette made from extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice, this salad is a perfect quick and easy dish that serves as a refreshing appetizer or side.
Ingredients
Vegetables & Cheese
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (diced)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (diced)
- 1 cup red onions (sliced)
- ½ cup black olives (sliced)
- 1 medium cucumber (diced)
- 3 tablespoons feta cheese (crumbled; omit if following Whole30)
- 3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes (julienne cut)
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together the diced cherry tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, sliced red onions, sliced black olives, diced cucumber, crumbled feta cheese, and julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes until evenly mixed.
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create the zesty vinaigrette dressing.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the mixed salad ingredients and gently toss to coat everything thoroughly and evenly with the vinaigrette.
- Garnish and Serve: Top the salad with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and herbaceous flavor, then serve immediately for optimal freshness and taste.
Notes
- For a Whole30-compliant version, omit the feta cheese.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best acidity and flavor in the dressing.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day; toss again before serving.
- You can add other fresh herbs like basil or mint if desired for variation.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on your preference and the saltiness of the olives and feta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean