Paraben Free Mediterranean Cucumber and Olive Salad
Bright, crisp, and bursting with fresh herbs, this Mediterranean salad is the kind of dish that makes you feel like you're eating on a sun-drenched terrace somewhere along the Aegean coast. Sliced cucumbers get a quick salt-and-drain treatment before they hit the bowl, which keeps the whole salad from turning watery and ensures every bite stays satisfyingly crunchy. Kalamata olives bring a briny depth, while red onion adds a little sharpness that plays beautifully against the cooling mint and parsley. The dressing is nothing but extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and a touch of turmeric — whole, recognizable ingredients with no hidden additives or synthetic preservatives to worry about. For anyone navigating sensitivities to chemical preservatives found in many bottled dressings and processed condiments, making everything from scratch here is genuinely the easiest path to a clean, worry-free plate. It comes together in just a few minutes of chopping and whisking, making it an effortless go-to for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or a light lunch alongside grilled protein. Serve it immediately after tossing so the herbs stay vibrant and the cucumbers hold their satisfying snap.
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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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