A Fresh & Flavorful Summer Salad Recipe
Hey there, folks! I’m so glad you stopped by. If this is your first visit—welcome. This is where we keep things easy, fresh, and full of flavor.
Today’s recipe, Mediterranean Feta Salad with Citrus Garlic Vinaigrette, is Part Two of my Persian-Inspired Sharables Dinner series. If you missed Part One, be sure to check out my Persian Hummus with Spiced Ribeye—a smoky, rich dip that makes a bold start to the meal. Up next to complete the trio: Warm Olives with Orange Zest—a simple, savory finish that ties it all together.
Now let’s dive into something super healthy, light, colorful, and packed with Mediterranean goodness—this Mediterranean Feta Salad with Citrus Garlic Vinaigrette.
Why You’ll Love This Mediterranean Salad
This salad is:
- ✅ Quick to make
- ✅ Loaded with fresh, crunchy vegetables
- ✅ Full of bright herbs and creamy feta
- ✅ Tossed with a zesty homemade vinaigrette
- ✅ Perfect for healthy lunches or simple dinners
Whether you’re watching what you eat, want something refreshing on a hot day, or need an easy side dish, this salad is a go-to favorite.
👨🍳 Meet the Recipe Creator
This recipe is inspired by Aresh Hashemi, author of Shred Happens: So Easy, So Good, who transformed his health with Mediterranean and Persian-style meals. His recipes strike the perfect balance of nourishing, easy-to-make, and boldly flavorful—and this one is no exception. I’ve lightly adapted the salad to fit what I usually have in my kitchen, but the soul of the dish is pure Aresh.
What You’ll Need | Simple & Fresh Ingredients
For the Salad
- Baby arugula (or baby spinach for a milder flavor)
- Persian cucumbers (or English cucumbers)
- Baby heirloom or cherry tomatoes
- Red onion (thinly sliced)
- Fresh parsley & mint (chopped)
- black cured olives or Kalamata (Mina cured olives work really good here)
- Toasted walnuts (or almonds/pistachios)
- Feta cheese
For the Citrus Garlic Vinaigrette
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh lemon juice
- Orange zest
- Garlic (minced)
- Aleppo pepper (or red pepper flakes)
- Salt and black pepper
Step-by-Step | How to Make It
- Start with the greens.
Add fresh arugula to your bowl or platter. - Add the good stuff.
Top with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, olives, chopped herbs, and toasted walnuts. - Add the feta.
Crumble it generously over the top. - Make the vinaigrette.
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, orange zest, garlic, Aleppo pepper, salt, and pepper until well combined. - Drizzle and toss.
Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss right before serving.
Essential Kitchen Tools
Make prep easier with these helpful tools:
- Chef’s knife – For slicing and chopping with ease
- Salad spinner – Keeps greens clean & crisp
- Microplane or citrus zester – For that fragrant orange zest
- Citrus juicer – To extract all the lemon juice easily.
- Whisk or small blender – To emulsify the dressing
Make It Your Way | Easy Swaps
✔️ Use baby spinach or spring mix instead of arugula
✔️ Try pistachios or almonds in place of walnuts
✔️ Add avocado for healthy fats and fiber or grilled chicken or fish for extra protein
Give this salad a try and let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment, tag me in your photos on Instagram, and share it with someone who loves a crunchy, herby, tangy bite.
Watch the step-by-step instructions in this quick video!
Mediterranean Feta Salad with Citrus Garlic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, combine arugula, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, parsley, mint, olives, and walnuts. Place feta cheese on top and set aside.
- Use a small food processor or blender. Add olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Aleppo pepper, orange zest, a small pinch of salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Pour some or all of the dressing over the salad. Toss everything together well, then enjoy!
Notes
- Use about 3.5 to 4 oz of arugula instead of the full 5 oz.
- This makes the salad more balanced, with better flavor and just the right amount of dressing.
- Add more cheese
- Toss in some dried fruit like cranberries or chopped dates.
- The flavors mix together so well, and the salad stays fresh in the fridge for a few days!
Why arugula is so good for you:
Arugula is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help your heart, bones, and even your eyes. It’s also super low in calories.
Here’s a science-backed article from Healthline that explains more:
👉 Health Benefits of Arugula – Healthline
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Hungry For More Delicious Recipes
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- Cauliflower Steak with Miso-Honey Butter
- Sweet Potato with Black-Eyed Peas and Coconut Vinaigrette
- Healthy Big Mac Burger Bowl
- Eggs Coddled with Spinach, Herbs & Feta: Green Eggs, No Ham
If you enjoyed this recipe and would love to see more, join me on YouTube, X, and Instagram! You can follow James T. on his page here and on Instagram, @WarpSpeedWags . Please comment, like, and share. It really helps! I would love to hear from you 🙂 And if you made this recipe, how did it go for you?
4 responses to “Mediterranean Feta Salad with Citrus Garlic Vinaigrette”
Love me a good salad for summer.
Yummy
Thanks for the summer salad recipe. It looks so good! 🙂
You’re welcome, Nancy!