Feta, Tomato & Olive Salad with Garlicky Croutons Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Feta, Tomato & Olive Salad with Garlicky Croutons, combining juicy cherry tomatoes, briny olives, crisp cucumber, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing and topped with crunchy homemade garlicky croutons.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata or black olives, halved
- ½ cup cucumber, diced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garlicky Croutons
- 2 cups crusty bread, cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Make the Garlicky Croutons: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). In a bowl, toss the cubed bread with olive oil, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt until the bread is evenly coated. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the croutons halfway through baking to ensure even crisping. Remove them from the oven and let cool while preparing the salad.
- Build the Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, halved Kalamata or black olives, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix gently to combine all the fresh ingredients evenly.
- Dress It Up: Drizzle the salad with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar or lemon juice. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss the salad gently until all ingredients are lightly coated with the dressing.
- Top & Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the salad and add the garlicky croutons on top to maintain their crispiness. Give the salad a light toss or serve as is to enjoy the contrasting textures and flavors.
Notes
- For extra crunch, bake croutons until golden but be careful not to burn the garlic.
- You can substitute red wine vinegar with fresh lemon juice for a brighter flavor.
- Use day-old crusty bread for the best crouton texture.
- Add fresh herbs like mint or basil for a twist.
- This salad is best served immediately to keep the croutons crisp.
Keywords: Feta salad, tomato olive salad, Mediterranean salad, garlic croutons, fresh vegetable salad, vegetarian salad