Italian Cucumber Salad (Printable Version)

Crisp cucumbers and tomatoes in zesty Italian dressing with fresh basil. A refreshing 15-minute side dish.

# What You Need:

→ 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 Steps:

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.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in fifteen minutes flat, making it perfect for those nights when you need something refreshing but refuse to cook
  • The longer it sits, the better it tastes, so it is the ultimate make-ahead side for backyard gatherings
02 -
  • The salt in the dressing draws water out of the cucumbers, creating its own delicious liquid that you should absolutely eat, not drain
  • This salad loses its appeal after about twenty-four hours when the cucumbers start to soften and wilt
03 -
  • Use a vegetable peeler to create ribbons instead of slices for an elegant presentation that feels restaurant-worthy
  • Let the dressed salad sit for the full recommended time, the transformation in flavor is remarkable

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