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Robin Ward

Mediterranean Feta Salad with Citrus Garlic Vinaigrette

Healthy Mediterranean Feta Salad with Bright & Zesty Citrus Garlic Vinaigrette: A fresh, flavorful, and easy salad perfect for any meal or side dish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: #sidedish, Salad
Cuisine: #Persian, Mediterranean
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the base:
  • 3.5 to 4 oz arugula *See note
  • 3 Persian cucumbers, diced
  • 1¼ cups baby heirloom or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • ½ of a red onion, finely diced
  • 2 handfuls of fresh flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped, stems removed
  • 1 handful fresh mint, finely chopped
  • ⅓ cup black cured olives or kalamata, pitted and diced
  • ⅓ cup toasted and cooled chopped walnuts or almonds
  • 1 block feta cheese (1, 8 oz. block cut in half lengthwise)
For the vinaigrette:
  • ⅓ cup olive oil (Use high-quality olive oil for bold flavor)
  • the juice of 1 large lemon
  • pinch of sea salt (Don't overdo since the feta is salty.)
  • a generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper (To taste)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 Tbsp Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes
  • zest of 1 large orange

Equipment

  • small blender

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine arugula, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, parsley, mint, olives, and walnuts. Place feta cheese on top and set aside.
  2. 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.
  3. Pour some or all of the dressing over the salad. Toss everything together well, then enjoy!

Notes

Recipe Note: Making the Salad Taste Just Right
The original recipe uses a whole 5 oz box of arugula (that’s the leafy green stuff), but I found that using less makes it taste better. Arugula can be a very bitter, and with the amount of dressing in this recipe, too much can make the salad feel a bit dry.
✅ Try this instead:
  • 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.
🥗 Want to make it even tastier?
  • 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