Barley Free Mediterranean Cucumber and Olive Salad
Bright, herby, and impossibly refreshing, this cucumber and olive salad is the kind of dish that disappears fast at any table. Crisp English cucumbers get tossed with briny Kalamata olives, sharp red onion, and a generous handful of fresh parsley and mint, making every bite feel like a trip to the coast. The dressing is a simple shake-together situation — extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, a little zest, garlic, and a pinch of turmeric for a subtle golden warmth that ties everything together beautifully. Salting the cucumbers first and letting them drain is a small step that makes a big difference, keeping the whole salad crisp rather than watery. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of barley and grain-based additives, so there's no label-scanning or substitution stress involved — just clean, whole foods doing their thing. It works as a light lunch on its own, a vibrant side alongside grilled fish or chicken, or an easy make-ahead component for a bigger spread. Fresh oregano is optional, but if you have it on hand, throw it in — it pushes the Mediterranean flavor even further over the top.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 english cucumbers (about 1 ½ lb total), halved lengthwise and sliced into ¼-inch half-moons
- ¾ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, roughly torn
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano leaves, roughly chopped (optional)
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 small clove garlic, finely minced
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
Instructions
- 1
Place the sliced cucumber in a colander set over the sink, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and toss to coat. Let stand for 10 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels.
- 2
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, turmeric, and 1/2 tsp salt until the dressing is uniform and slightly emulsified.
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