This is one of my favorite summer side dishes! I have been putting it on everything lately, especially these sloppy joes! It is crunchy, refreshing and will add a little excitement to your summer BBQs! A long time ago, I made these Grilled Cucumbers with Creamy Pickled Feta Dip and I fell in love with pickled feta.
I know that it sounds strange and it looks even stranger, but it is so good! First of all, who doesn’t love pickles?! Pickles are one of those foods that I always make sure I have a jar or two of on hand in case I get a craving. I’ve said before that I can’t stay away from crunchy salty snacks and pickles definitely fit that bill for me. And I tell myself they are healthier than chips because they are made from cucumbers, which may or may not be true depending on which chips and which pickles you are eating š
Pickled feta is creamy, salty and vinegar-y all at the same time. That is really the best way I can think to describe it. The feta soaks up all the pickly flavor and then when you combine it with thinly sliced cucumbers it gives the entire salad a really awesome taste! This salad is refreshing, crisp, and goes really well with all the summery meals you guys are hopefully eating these days.
I like to combine my pickled feta with cucumbers because it just seems to make sense to me. But I’ve also been wanting to try it on some veggie burgers but I seem to eat it so quickly that I haven’t gotten a chance yet. I would love to hear if any of you have experimented with picked feta and what you have enjoyed it on! And if this is your first introduction to it, I hope you give it a shot and let me know what you think!
Cucumber and Pickled Feta Salad with Dill
- Yield: 10-12 1x
Ingredients
- 2 large hothouse cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Pickled Feta:
- 1/2 cup distilled vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 3 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 6 ounces crumbled feta, one small container
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, combine together the vinegar, water, salt and maple syrup. Stir until salt is dissolved and ingredients are combined. Add the feta and refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, the longer you refrigerate the mixture the more intense flavor it will have.
- Once the feta is pickled, drain the the feta and reserve a few tablespoons of the pickling liquid. Place the sliced cucumbers, red onion, dill and feta into a large bowl. Add the olive oil and stir until everything is combined. If you would like a more intense pickle flavor slowly add in the reserved pickling liquid a teaspoon at a time.
Notes
Best served within an hour to keep the crispness of the cucumbers, but can stay good in the refrigerator for a few days.
- Category: Salad, Side, Gluten Free
Has anyone actually made this recipe? Every comment talks about liking the idea, the creativity, loving feta, etc …..
I was hoping to actually see a “I made this recipe and ….. ” LOL
Such a refreshing, light and healthy salad recipe. Pitch perfect for the upcoming summer days!
I love the idea of pickled feta! Sounds wonderful with the cucumber!
Thanks Kelley! It is so good š
Love cucumber salad, but never tried pickled feta! Need to make it soon! Pinning!
You should try it, Mira! It has such a great taste š
I *love* pickles! I’ve never heard of pickled feta before, but I’m so intrigued. I love this Izzy – so unique and perfect as a summer side dish!
Me too Alyssa!! They are my favorites! Thanks so much š
Ummm…this sounds like my dream salad! That pickled feta sounds seriously amazing, I’m definitely going to have to give it a try! Looks delicious, Izzy!
Haha, you would totally love it, Denise!! You will want to put pickled feta on everything!
This cucumber salad looks so refreshing for the summer. I love dill and cucumbers together, especially when they’re combined with that pickled feta.
I make a harissa-marinated feta and serve it on Moroccan tacos. I think you’d like it. š http://www.wholenourishment.net/blog/2013/06/moroccan-tacos.html
Oh wow, that sounds so good Katie!! I’ve never cooked with harissa before but I’ve always wanted to! Marinating feta in it and making tacos sounds like the perfect way to start!
Oh my, Izzy! I can see why this would be a summer favorite. I’ve not tried pickling feta, but I know I’d love it! I am on the edge of my seat waiting for local cucumbers… right now, they’re all still coming out of Mexico. I think I’ve got at least another month to wait. I have a long list of recipes I want to make and a cucumber salad is on my list! Delicious pickling, Izzy. I can’t wait to try it!
Oh no! I hope the month goes by very quickly so you can have some soon! I like eating cucumbers plain, but cucumber salads are so good too! And who doesn’t love pickles?! š
I am a huge feta fan and put it in everything. I would never would have thought to pickle it – what a great idea. Can’t wait to try this, Izzy! The salad looks perfect for a hot summer’s day.
I saw it on a cooking show a while ago and just couldn’t get it out of my mind! It is so great for a hot summer day š
Pickled feta?! Oh my gosh I have got to try this! I am obsessed with all things pickled lately. I just make pickled onions for the first time a few weeks ago. So easy! Can’t wait to try this salad : )
Me too, Natalie! And it seems so easy to pickle pretty much everything too! Pickled onions are on my to-do list soon!
I love pickled cucumbers, but I have never thought to have feta with them and I don’t know why because I put feta on pretty much everything hahaha.
Haha, I like to put feta on everything too, Dannii!!
This salad looks so flavorful, Izzy! I have to confess that I don’t like cucumbers, but I do love pickles, go figure! So I definitely think that I would like the pickled feta. Sounds like the perfect touch and such a great idea!
It is funny how different cucumbers and pickles seem to be even though they are practically the same thing haha! You can just eat the pickled feta by itself, ha š
Dear Isadora, This salad looks fresh and delightful. I love cucumber salad..the pickled feta is a delicious touch. xo, Catherine
Thank you, Catherine! Cucumber salads are the perfect addition to all summer BBQs!