Marinated Vegetable & Feta Salad (Jar Style)

🧾 Ingredients

Vegetables & Cheese

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

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• 1 cup cucumber, sliced or chopped

• ½ cup red onion, thick slices

• ½–1 cup mixed bell peppers, chopped (yellow/orange/red)

• ¾ cup green olives, whole or halved

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• ¾ cup feta cheese, cubed

Marinade / Dressing

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar (or lemon juice)

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Optional: pinch red pepper flakes

🥄 Instructions (Jar Method)

1. Make the Dressing
   In a bowl or directly in the jar, whisk together olive oil, vinegar (or lemon juice), oregano, basil, thyme, garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.

2. Layer the Jar (Important for Texture)

   • Bottom: Dressing

   • Next: Red onion + garlic

   • Then: Bell peppers & cucumber

   • Then: Cherry tomatoes & olives

   • Top: Feta cheese cubes

3. Seal & Marinate
   Close the jar tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
   👉 Best flavor after 4–24 hours.

4. Serve
   Shake gently before serving or pour into a bowl and toss.

🌟 Tips & Variations

• Meal prep: Keeps well in the fridge for 4–5 days

• Dairy-free: Replace feta with chickpeas or marinated tofu

• Extra protein: Add grilled chicken, tuna, or white beans

• Mediterranean boost: Add capers or sun-dried tomatoes

• Low-oil option: Reduce oil to ⅓ cup (flavor will be lighter)

Perfect as a mezze dish, side salad, wrap filling, or light lunch 🫒✨

Q1: How long should I marinate this salad?
A: Minimum 30 minutes for flavor, but 4–24 hours in the fridge is ideal.

Q2: How long does it keep in the fridge?
A: Up to 4–5 days in an airtight jar. Flavor actually improves by day 2.

Q3: What’s the best layering order for a jar?
A:
1️⃣ Dressing
2️⃣ Onions & garlic
3️⃣ Hard veggies (peppers, cucumbers)
4️⃣ Tomatoes & olives
5️⃣ Feta on top
This keeps feta from getting mushy.

Q4: Can I replace feta?
A: Yes—try halloumi (grilled cubes), mozzarella pearls, or vegan feta.

Q5: Is this salad healthy?
A: Yes 👍 Healthy fats from olive oil, probiotics from feta, and fiber-rich vegetables.

Q6: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Absolutely. Skip feta or use marinated tofu or chickpeas instead.

Q7: What can I serve it with?
A: Grilled chicken, fish, pita bread, wraps, or as a mezze side.

Q8: Can I shake the jar?
A: Yes! Shake gently before serving, or stir if stored in a bowl.

Q9: Can I reduce the oil?
A: You can reduce to ⅓ cup oil, but flavor and preservation work best with the full amount.

• Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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