Red Meat Allergy Friendly Mediterranean Cucumber and Olive Salad
Bright, herby, and packed with bold Mediterranean flavors, this cucumber and olive salad is the kind of dish that disappears fast at any table. Crisp English cucumbers get a quick salt-and-drain treatment so they stay perfectly crunchy rather than watery, which makes every bite satisfying rather than soggy. Kalamata olives bring a briny depth, while fresh parsley, mint, and optional oregano layer in that unmistakable garden-fresh aroma. The dressing — a simple whisk of extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and a touch of turmeric — ties everything together with a sunny, slightly tangy finish. Because this salad is built entirely from produce, olives, and pantry staples, it naturally sidesteps any concern about red meat ingredients or hidden animal-based additives that can sneak into store-bought dressings and prepared salads. It works beautifully as a light lunch on its own, a vibrant side alongside grilled fish or falafel, or even scooped up with warm pita. Toss it together right before serving and it's genuinely one of the easiest, most crowd-pleasing things you can put on the table.
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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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