Mom’s Marinated Salad

This fresh marinated salad is a simple, colorful combination of crisp vegetables, briny olives, and creamy feta. Cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and bell peppers are tossed with a bright olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing, then chilled so the flavors have time to mingle. It’s an easy no-cook side dish that works beautifully for picnics, family dinners, and warm-weather gatherings.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount
Fresh cucumbers, diced	2 large
Ripe tomatoes, diced	3 medium
Red onion, diced	1/2 large
Assorted bell peppers, diced	2
Pitted black olives, halved	1/2 cup
Crumbled feta cheese	1 cup
Olive oil	1/3 cup
Red wine vinegar	3 tablespoons
Fresh parsley, finely chopped	1/4 cup

Directions

Step 1: Chop the Vegetables

Wash the cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers well, then pat them dry. Cut everything into bite-sized pieces and finely chop the red onion so it blends evenly throughout the salad.

Step 2: Combine the Salad Ingredients

Add the cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onion to a large bowl. Scatter the olives and crumbled feta over the vegetables.

Step 3: Prepare the Dressing

Whisk the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh parsley together in a small bowl until well combined.

Step 4: Toss the Salad

Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together with large spoons, taking care not to crush the tomatoes or break the feta into overly small pieces.

Step 5: Refrigerate

Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This resting time allows the vegetables to soak up the tangy dressing and gives the flavors time to develop.

Step 6: Serve

Give the salad a gentle toss before serving to redistribute the dressing. Serve chilled for the best texture and flavor.

This crisp, tangy salad makes a refreshing accompaniment to grilled meats, sandwiches, or any casual meal.