Description
This refreshing Greek Cucumber Salad combines crunchy cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and briny black olives with a tangy lemon-onion marinade and a feta-like tofu topping. Tossed in a vibrant dressing of olive oil, olive brine, garlic powder, and oregano, this salad bursts with Mediterranean flavors ideal for a light, healthy side dish or a vegetarian appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Onion-Lemon Marinade
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
- ½ teaspoon salt
Tofu Feta Mixture
- ½ block super firm tofu, crumbled
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon olive brine
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Juice of 1 lemon
Salad
- 3 cucumbers, peeled and diced (3 to 4 cups)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup sliced black olives
Dressing
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 5 tablespoons olive brine
- Reserved juice from marinated onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Onion-Lemon Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine thinly sliced red onion, lemon juice, and salt. Toss well to ensure all onion slices are thoroughly soaked. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Make the Tofu Feta Mixture: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, olive brine, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, oregano, and the juice of one lemon. Crumble the super firm tofu into small, feta-like pieces, then mix it into the dressing until well coated. Set aside.
- Assemble the Base Salad: In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced black olives. Drain the marinated onions, reserving their juice, and add the onions to the bowl.
- Prepare and Add the Dressing: In a small jar with a lid, combine olive oil, salt, black pepper, oregano, olive brine, and the reserved onion marinade juice. Shake or mix well to blend. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of this dressing to the cucumber salad and toss gently to coat.
- Finish and Serve: Top the salad with the crumbled tofu feta mixture to taste. Serve chilled with additional dressing on the side. For an enhanced flavor, allow the salad to sit and marinate longer before serving.
Notes
- This salad is best served chilled and improves in flavor the longer it sits, making it a great make-ahead option.
- Use super firm tofu to mimic the texture of feta cheese effectively.
- The olive brine adds a salty, tangy depth that complements the fresh vegetables well—don’t skip it.
- If you prefer, substitute lemon juice with fresh lemon slices for a milder flavor and decorative touch.
- For a more traditional version, you can replace tofu with actual feta cheese if not vegan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Greek
Keywords: Greek cucumber salad, vegan salad, tofu feta salad, Mediterranean salad, cucumber tomato salad, healthy salad
