Italian Cucumber Salad (Printable View)

Crisp cucumbers and fresh vegetables tossed in zesty Italian dressing for a refreshing summer dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

→ Dressing

05 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
06 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
07 - 1 clove garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish (optional)

10 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
11 - Fresh cracked black pepper

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a large salad bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, red onion, and chopped basil.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetables. Toss gently to combine and evenly coat all the ingredients.
04 - Let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and additional black pepper, if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 15 minutes with zero cooking involved
  • The flavors actually get better after sitting for a while, making it perfect for meal prep
  • You can customize the vegetables based on whatever is fresh and available
02 -
  • Cutting vegetables uniformly helps them marinate more evenly
  • Letting the salad sit for at least 10 minutes is not optional, it makes all the difference
  • The onions will mellow out significantly as they sit in the acidic dressing
03 -
  • Use a mandoline or vegetable peeler to get paper thin cucumber slices
  • English or Persian cucumbers work well since they have fewer seeds and thinner skin

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