Sun-kissed Summertime Salad—Lunch for 4

Sun-kissed Summertime Salad is a light, refreshing Mediterranean lunch dish featuring crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese, tossed in a tangy lemon-herb dressing. Perfect for hot summer days, this vibrant salad offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures to satisfy your cravings.

Meal Type

Lunch

Cuisine

Mediterranean

Servings

4

Food Stars

Health

Variations

Diets

Variations

You Need This Stuff

  • 4 cups mixed greens, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup cucumber, sliced
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 whole lemon, juiced
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Do This With That Stuff

  1. Wash and dry 4 cups of mixed greens, then chop them on a cutting board using a chef’s knife
  2. Place the chopped mixed greens in a large salad bowl
  3. Rinse 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, then cut each tomato in half using the chef’s knife
  4. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the salad bowl
  5. Measure 1/2 cup of Kalamata olives and ensure they are pitted, then add them to the salad bowl
  6. Crumble 1/2 cup of feta cheese and add it to the salad bowl
  7. Peel and thinly slice 1/4 cup of red onion using the chef’s knife and vegetable peeler, then add it to the salad bowl
  8. Wash and slice 1/4 cup of cucumber, then add it to the salad bowl
  9. Chop 2 tbsp of fresh basil and 2 tbsp of fresh parsley on the cutting board with the chef’s knife, then add them to the salad bowl
  10. In a small mixing bowl, combine juice from one whole lemon (using a citrus juicer), 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano using a whisk
  11. Season dressing with salt and pepper to taste, whisking until well combined
  12. Pour dressing over salad ingredients in large salad bowl
  13. Toss everything together until evenly coated with dressing

Obvious and Not So Obvious Variations and Pairings

☕ Bitter
  • Add 1 cup chopped radicchio
  • Add 1/2 cup chopped endive
  • Increase Dijon mustard to 2 tsp
  • Add 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
🧂 Salty
  • Increase Kalamata olives to 3/4 cup
  • Add 1/4 cup capers
  • Increase feta cheese to 3/4 cup
  • Add 1/2 tsp sea salt to dressing
🍋 Sour
  • Increase lemon juice to 2 whole lemons
  • Add 1/4 cup capers
  • Add 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • Replace Dijon mustard with 2 tsp whole grain mustard
🌶️ Spicy
  • Add 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Add 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Increase garlic to 2 cloves, minced
  • Add 1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
🍬 Sweet
  • Add 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
  • Add 1/4 cup diced mango
  • Add 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
  • Replace cherry tomatoes with 1 cup sweet grape tomatoes, halved
  • Increase lemon juice to 2 whole lemons, juiced
🍄 Umami
  • Add 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • Add 1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained
  • Add 2 tbsp capers, drained
  • Replace Kalamata olives with 3/4 cup Castelvetrano olives, pitted
🍸 Alcoholic
  • Rosé Wine: Its crisp acidity and fruity notes complement the Mediterranean flavors of the salad
  • Pinot Grigio: The light, citrusy profile of this white wine pairs well with the lemony dressing and fresh ingredients
  • Aperol Spritz: The refreshing, slightly bitter taste of this cocktail balances the richness of the feta cheese and olives
🥤 Non Alcoholic
  • Sparkling Lemonade: The effervescence and citrus notes complement the lemony dressing and Mediterranean flavors
  • Iced Green Tea: The subtle bitterness and earthiness of the tea balance the richness of the feta cheese and olives
  • Mint Infused Water: The refreshing mint flavor enhances the freshness of the salad ingredients
IMPORTANT NOTE: Artificial Intelligence created this—this means the following may or may not be correct or accurate. If following a specific diet is critical to your health and well-being due to ailments or health conditions, please consult your doctor before trying any of these variations.

🥓 Keto
  • Remove cherry tomatoes
  • Replace cucumber with 1/2 cup sliced radishes
  • Add 1/2 cup diced avocado
  • Add 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
🍆 Mediterranean
  • Add 1/4 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
  • Add 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
  • Replace mixed greens with 4 cups arugula
  • Add 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
🥑 Paleo
  • Remove feta cheese
  • Replace Dijon mustard with 1 tsp yellow mustard
🐟 Pescatarian
  • Add 8 oz grilled or baked salmon, flaked
  • Add 1/2 cup cooked and cooled quinoa
🌱 Vegan
  • Replace feta cheese with 1/2 cup vegan feta cheese
  • Add 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
🥦 Vegetarian
  • No changes needed as the recipe is already vegetarian friendly.
🥩 Whole30
  • Remove feta cheese
  • Replace Dijon mustard with 1 tsp of stone-ground mustard
IMPORTANT NOTE: Artificial Intelligence created this—this means the following may or may not be correct or accurate. If following a specific diet is critical to your health and well-being due to ailments or health conditions, please consult your doctor before trying any of these variations.

🧠 Brain Health
  • Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • Add 1/2 cup chopped avocado
  • Replace feta cheese with 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
  • Increase extra virgin olive oil to 1/3 cup
  • Add 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
🌾 Celiac Disease
  • No changes needed
💩 Crohns Disease
  • Remove cherry tomatoes
  • Remove red onion
  • Remove cucumber
  • Replace mixed greens with 4 cups cooked and cooled quinoa
  • Decrease Kalamata olives to 1/4 cup
  • Replace feta cheese with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Remove garlic from dressing
🩸 Diabetes
  • Replace feta cheese with 1/2 cup low-fat feta cheese
  • Add 1/4 cup chopped bell peppers
🍞 Gluten Intolerance
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🫀 Heart Disease
  • Replace feta cheese with 1/2 cup low-fat feta cheese
  • Replace extra virgin olive oil with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Add 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • Add 1/4 cup chopped avocado
❤️ Heart Health
  • Replace feta cheese with 1/2 cup low-fat feta cheese
  • Decrease extra virgin olive oil to 2 tbsp
  • Increase lemon juice to 2 whole lemons, juiced
  • Add 1/4 cup chopped avocado
🧂 High Blood Pressure
  • Remove feta cheese
  • Replace Kalamata olives with 1/2 cup low-sodium black olives
  • Replace salt with 1/4 tsp potassium chloride (salt substitute)
  • Decrease extra virgin olive oil to 2 tbsp
🍔 High Cholesterol
  • Replace feta cheese with 1/2 cup low-fat feta cheese
  • Replace extra virgin olive oil with 1/4 cup avocado oil
🦠 Immune System
  • Add 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
  • Add 1/4 cup chopped almonds
  • Add 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • Replace feta cheese with 1/2 cup cubed avocado
🚽 Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Remove cherry tomatoes
  • Remove red onion
  • Replace cucumber with 1/4 cup zucchini, sliced
  • Replace garlic with 1/4 tsp garlic-infused olive oil
  • Remove Kalamata olives
💧 Kidney Disease
  • Remove Kalamata olives
  • Replace feta cheese with 1/2 cup low-sodium ricotta cheese
  • Decrease red onion to 1/8 cup
  • Replace Dijon mustard with 1 tsp honey mustard
  • Omit salt from dressing
🐄 Lactose Intolerance
  • Replace feta cheese with 1/2 cup lactose-free feta cheese
🍺 Liver Disease
  • Remove feta cheese
  • Replace Kalamata olives with 1/4 cup pitted green olives
  • Decrease extra virgin olive oil to 2 tbsp
  • Replace Dijon mustard with 1 tsp honey mustard
  • Remove salt
🤰 Pregnancy
  • Replace feta cheese with pasteurized feta cheese

Beti’s Reflections

While exploring the vibrant Mediterranean coast last summer, I stumbled upon a quaint little café that served the most delightful salad. It was love at first bite, and I knew I had to recreate it for my fellow foodies back home. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to the Sun-kissed Summertime Salad – a refreshing symphony of flavors that will transport your taste buds straight to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean.

This Mediterranean Salad Recipe serves four people and is perfect for those looking for a light and healthy meal option. It’s vegetarian-friendly and packed with nutrients, making it an excellent choice for anyone watching their waistline or simply seeking a delicious alternative to heavy pasta dishes and winter comfort food.

Our Sun-kissed Summertime Salad features a medley of fresh ingredients: 4 cups of chopped mixed greens provide a crisp base, while 1 cup of juicy halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, and 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese add bursts of flavor. Thinly sliced red onion (1/4 cup) and cucumber (1/4 cup) bring crunchiness to the mix, while 2 tablespoons each of chopped fresh basil and parsley elevate the salad with their aromatic notes. The pièce de résistance is the tangy Lemon Dijon Dressing Recipe made from freshly squeezed lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.

To assemble this Kalamata Olive Feta Salad masterpiece, start by washing and chopping your mixed greens before placing them in a large salad bowl. Add in your halved cherry tomatoes followed by Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese. Next up are your thinly sliced red onion and cucumber pieces. Sprinkle in your freshly chopped basil and parsley before moving on to prepare the Fresh Herb Mixed Greens Salad dressing. In a separate bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, mustard, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Finally, pour the dressing over your salad ingredients and toss everything together until evenly coated.

There you have it – a Sun-kissed Summertime Salad that’s as delightful to look at as it is to devour! This Easy Feta Cheese Salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or simply enjoying in the comfort of your own home. So go ahead and treat yourself to a taste of the Mediterranean with this Healthy Summer Salad Idea that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. Happy eating!

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