Smashed Cucumber Salad – With Feta and Dill Recipe

Smashed Cucumber Salad – With Feta and Dill is one of those irresistible summertime salads that brings bold flavors, vibrant color, and serious refreshment to your table with minimal effort. Creamy avocado mingles with crisp, juicy cucumbers while salty feta, aromatic dill, and toasted pistachios offer layers of contrast. The splash of lemony honey-mustard vinaigrette ties it all together in just a few short steps. Whether it’s a picnic, potluck, or quick lunch, this dish is always a conversation starter—and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This salad is a celebration of freshness and simplicity, relying on top-notch produce and a few punchy extras to shine. Each ingredient plays a starring role, from bringing crunch and creaminess to supplying tangy zip or a salty-savory finish. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Persian cucumbers or English cucumber: They add the essential crunch and juicy freshness that defines this salad.
• Ripe avocado: For a creamy texture that balances the crisp cucumbers beautifully.
• Crumbled feta cheese: Offers a tangy, salty contrast and makes the whole dish pop.
• Chopped pistachios: Adds crunch and a subtle buttery sweetness that’s just delicious.
• Chopped fresh dill: Brings a fresh, distinctive, herbaceous aroma that’s key to the dish’s character.
• Chopped fresh chives: Delivers a gentle oniony bite and a splash of green color.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Gives the dressing body and a fruity note that enhances the other ingredients.
• Lemon juice: Brightens up everything with just the right zing.
• Dijon mustard: Adds tang and depth to the vinaigrette, helping it stick to the veggies.
• Honey: A touch of sweetness balances out the sharpness of the mustard and lemon.
• Garlic (minced): A subtle bite that rounds out the flavors beautifully.
• Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning everything to taste.

How to Make Smashed Cucumber Salad – With Feta and Dill

Step 1: Prep the Cucumbers

Wash and dry your cucumbers thoroughly. Slice each one in half lengthwise. Use the flat side of your knife and the palm of your hand to firmly smash each cucumber half. This rustic smashing technique isn’t just fun—it helps the cucumbers absorb more dressing, making each bite even more flavorful. Chop the smashed cucumbers into chunky, one-inch pieces and add them to a medium bowl.

Step 2: Add Avocado and Salad Mix-Ins

Peel and chop your avocado, then add it to the bowl with the smashed cucumbers. Next, sprinkle in the crumbled feta, freshly chopped dill, chives, and those irresistible pistachios. This is the moment when the bowl starts to look like something out of a summer garden.

Step 3: Make the Lemony Honey-Mustard Dressing

In a separate small bowl or a glass jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, and minced garlic. Whisk everything together thoroughly, so it emulsifies into a silky, vibrant dressing that will coat every nook and cranny of your vegetables.

Step 4: Toss and Finish the Salad

Drizzle the dressing over your cucumber mixture and gently toss everything together until well coated. Taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking. For an extra flourish, scatter a few more fresh herbs over the top, then serve your Smashed Cucumber Salad – With Feta and Dill right away for peak freshness and flavor.

How to Serve Smashed Cucumber Salad – With Feta and Dill

Garnishes

For a bit of extra beauty and flavor, sprinkle a few more chopped chives and dill over the top just before serving. If you love a little more crunch, add another small handful of pistachios or even a dusting of flaky sea salt for a final flourish. The feta and herbs give the salad a gourmet look, perfect for impressing guests.

Side Dishes

This salad is a star all on its own, but it’s also a brilliant sidekick for grilled chicken, fish, or lamb. Serve it alongside toasted pita bread or as part of a larger mezze spread with hummus and olives. Its fresh flavors complement heartier mains and make any meal feel lighter and more festive.

Creative Ways to Present

For a showy presentation, serve Smashed Cucumber Salad – With Feta and Dill on a large platter or in individual glass jars for fun, picnic-ready portions. You can also pile it on crostini as a canape or layer it over a bed of peppery arugula for a heartier salad course. Don’t be afraid to get creative and let those colors pop!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, transfer your Smashed Cucumber Salad – With Feta and Dill to an airtight container. It’s best enjoyed within a day, as the cucumbers and avocado are freshest right after mixing. The flavor can actually deepen as it sits for a few hours in the fridge, but beware the avocado may lose its vibrant color over time.

Freezing

This isn’t a salad that takes well to freezing—the cucumbers and avocado will become watery and lose their delightful texture. For best results, enjoy it fresh and avoid the freezer with this recipe.

Reheating

Smashed Cucumber Salad – With Feta and Dill is meant to be served cold or at room temperature. There’s no reheating required (or recommended), so it’s truly a stress-free, make-ahead option when you want a dish that’s ready to serve as soon as you are.

FAQs

Can I use regular cucumbers instead of Persian or English?

Absolutely! Just peel and seed them first to avoid any bitterness or excess wateriness. Persian or English cucumbers are preferable for their crisp texture and thinner skin, but regular ones work in a pinch.

What can I substitute for feta cheese?

You can swap the feta for crumbled goat cheese or even a dairy-free feta-style cheese if you’re keeping things plant-based. Each offers a different tang and texture, but all are delicious in this Smashed Cucumber Salad – With Feta and Dill.

Is there a nut-free alternative to pistachios?

If allergies are a concern, skip the pistachios altogether or try toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a similar crunch. These options will still bring great flavor and a nice texture contrast.

How do I keep avocado from browning?

The lemon juice in the dressing helps slow browning, but for extra protection, toss the avocado gently in a bit of additional lemon juice before adding it to the salad. Serve shortly after making for the best look and taste.

Can I double the recipe for a party?

Definitely! This Smashed Cucumber Salad – With Feta and Dill scales up beautifully—just multiply the ingredients as needed and assemble right before serving to keep everything crisp and bright.

Final Thoughts

Few dishes embody summer’s spirit quite like Smashed Cucumber Salad – With Feta and Dill. If you’re craving something unique, flavorful, and effortless to prepare, this recipe is calling your name. Gather your ingredients, get smashing, and prepare for a salad that will have everyone raving from first bite to last. You’re going to love every refreshing, creamy, herby forkful!

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