Summer salads are my favorite. They are bright, fresh, and full of delicious summer produce. This cucumber yogurt salad is a fun spin on your classic tzatziki sauce and makes a delicious side dish.
Tzatziki is traditionally made of yogurt mixed with cucumbers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, and herbs. We are taking those components, plus the addition of feta, for a creamy, crunchy, bright, and refreshing salad.
We love this creamy cucumber salad as an easy side dish as it comes together in just 15 minutes. It’s also great for a BBQ and pairs perfectly with greek food.
Why we love this cucumber yogurt salad recipe
- a fun spin on tzatziki – plus the addition of feta!
- light and refreshing and screams summer!
- perfect for summer BBQs and picnics or as an easy side dish for dinner.
Is cucumber salad healthy?
Cucumber salad can be a healthy addition to any diet. Cucumbers are a low-calorie food and also contain a lot of water to help keep you hydrated. They contain vitamin K, potassium, manganese, magnesium, and B vitamins. When enjoying salad, opting for a lighter dressing and watching how much dressing you use can limit the amount of calories.
Ingredients
- seedless cucumbers – I like using mini Persian cucumbers.
- full-fat greek yogurt
- lemon juice
- olive oil
- red pepper flakes
- feta cheese
- fresh dill
- salt and pepper
How to make cucumber yogurt salad
- Make the greek yogurt dressing. In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Make the salad. Add cucumbers, feta, and dill and stir to combine. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy! I like to top with a drizzle of olive oil and dill for serving.
How to cut cucumber for salad
To cut a cucumber for salad, slice off the ends. Then slice it in half lengthwise. Slice each half again lengthwise leaving you with 4 long pieces. Line the pieces up and dice them into 1/2-inch pieces.
You can also use sliced cucumbers if you prefer. I find the salad is harder to eat that way though.
Do you peel cucumbers for salad?
You do not need to peel cucumbers for salad, especially when using Persian or English as their skin is very skin. The skin also adds micronutrients and some fiber.
What to serve with cucumber salad
Cucumber feta salad is so versatile and can be paired with so many foods. Here are some suggestions:
- grilled chicken
- salmon
- greek burgers
- greek chicken meatballs
- grilled cilantro lime shrimp
- as a side with an easy dinner – we love serving this with some protein (chicken, steak, or seafood) and carbohydrates for an easy weeknight dinner.
How long does cucumber salad last?
Leftovers will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. As it sits, the cucumbers will release some water. Simply give it a good mix before serving again.
Can you freeze cucumber salad?
I do not recommend freezing this recipe due to the textures in the yogurt and cucumbers changing once frozen.
Substitutions and additions
- seedless cucumbers – Persian or english cucumbers will work. If you can’t find either one, a standard cucumber will work, you will just need to remove the seeds before dicing.
- full-fat yogurt – I recommend full-fat Greek yogurt as it has a great flavor. If needed you can substitute a dairy-free yogurt. See the section above for reference.
- fresh lemon juice – bottled lemon juice will work the same.
- olive oil
- red pepper flakes – leave out if you don’t want any spice.
- feta
- fresh dill – you can use dried dill, but I find the flavor is not the same. Use 1-2 tablespoons if doing so.
Here are some additions you can add:
- cherry tomatoes
- red onion
- avocado
- garlic – use fresh garlic cloves or garlic powder for a little extra kick.
- fresh herbs – fresh mint, parsley, or chives would all be delicious.
More healthy salad recipes
- greek chickpea salad
- summer corn salad with tomato & avocado
- chicken caesar pasta salad
- broccoli salad with raisins
- BLT pasta salad
- tomato jicama salad
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Cucumber Yogurt Salad
ingredients
- 5 cups chopped seedless cucumbers (I used the mini ones – 650 grams)
- 1 cup full-fat plain greek yogurt (8 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (use less for less spice)
- 1 cup crumbled feta, from a block (4 ounces)
- 1/2 cup dill, roughly chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
- for topping: olive oil, fresh dill, black pepper…
instructions
- Make the dressing. In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Make the salad. Add cucumbers, feta, and dill and stir to combine. Adjust according to taste.
- Enjoy! I like to top with a drizzle of olive oil and dill for serving.
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