Refreshing and crunchy cucumbers are served over a bed of creamy feta dip for an easy appetizer or salad.
On the days when I don’t much feel like cooking, my meals become more a matter of assembly. Like everyone, I have my go-to dishes, the kind that require little effort and work for almost any occasion or meal.
This whipped feta dip with cucumbers is just the kind of dish I turn to on those days, with just a handful of ingredients; it comes together in a matter of minutes. It can serve double duty as an appetizer/snack or stand on its own as a salad and is packed with flavor.
The basic premise (a pile of seasoned vegetables over a creamy spread) is one I use often with tomatoes, as well as carrots and other raw vegetables. Sometime the base is yogurt, other times tahini or an almond spread but in this case it’s whipped feta.
How to make a creamy feta dip:
- A bit of yogurt and olive oil is all it takes to transform ordinarily crumbly feta into a smooth and creamy base for all kinds of toppings. While many whipped feta recipes use cream cheese to smooth out their dip, I like to keep the flavors pure and more traditionally Greek by using sheep’s milk yogurt along with sheep’s milk feta instead.
- The feta, yogurt and olive oil are quickly blended together then set in the fridge to firm. I often make a batch at the beginning of the week to keep in my fridge so that it’s ready to go when I need.
How to make the cucumber topping:
- For the topping, finely chopped cucumbers are tossed in a mint parsley oil flavored with garlic and lemon zest that’s easily made in the food processor. The herbs and lemon are a delightfully fresh accent to the creamy salty feta spread.
- The dressing can also be made ahead of time so that the only thing to do when you’re ready to serve is chop and dress the cucumbers.
- A handful of crackers or chips (like some homemade pita strips) and a couple wedges of lemon and you are ready to dig in!
More Dip Recipes to Try:
Creamy Feta Dip
Refreshing and crunchy mint parsley cucumbers are served over a bed of creamy
whipped feta for an easy salad or appetizer.
Ingredients
For the Whipped Feta:
- ½ pound/ 8oz sheep’s milk feta
- 2 Tablespoons/30ml plain sheep’s milk yogurt
- ½ Tablespoon/7ml extra-virgin olive oil
- The zest of half a lemon
For the Mint Parsley Cucumbers:
- ¼ cup fresh mint
- ¼ cup fresh flat leaf parsley
- ¼ cup/60mlextra virgin olive oil
- ½ a garlic clove
- The zest of a ¼ lemon
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 4 Persian cucumbers, finely chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
Make the Whipped Feta:
- Rinse the feta and place it in the bowl of a mini food
processor. Pulse feta together with yogurt,
olive oil and lemon zest until smooth and creamy. - Refrigerate until needed.
Make the Mint Parsley Cucumbers:
- Place the mint, parsley, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest and salt
in the bowl of a mini food processor and pulse until finely chopped. (Mint parsley oil can be made ahead of time
and refrigerated until needed.) - Combine half the mint parsley oil with the chopped cucumbers
and toss to combine. (Reserve remaining oil
to drizzle over the top or for another use.) - Spread feta dip in a shallow serving bowl and top with the cucumber
mixture. - Serve with lemon wedges on the side and pita, chips or
crackers of your choice.
Notes
Gluten Free, Grain Free, Vegetarian
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 241Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 265mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 7g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love everything about this dip - I see it making a regular rotation in my summer appetizers, or spooning some over a chicken souvlaki salad for a delicious dressing.
Cookie and Kate says
I would not have guessed that feta could become so creamy and light! I just know I would love this dip. Lovely post, Sylvie.
Naomi says
That happens to me so often. I'm a grazer too. And if this is in the repertoire, I can totally go with it. Feta is a fave of mine as well and I'm loving this whipped dip!
Tina@flourtrader says
I do have some solitary meals in the afternoon, so a big spread is really not the thing. My lunches are somewhat like your meals of a little of this and that. Your dip would be the perfect thing to take center stage at lunch with a few crackers or veggies-yum! Love the flavors here. Well done.
the wicked noodle says
Just lovely! Looks so fresh and perfect for spring. The little swirl of pesto in the whipped feta is gorgeous.
Rosa says
A wonderful dip! So flavorful. Perfect for summer evenings on the balcony.
Cheers,
Rosa
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
Girl I get the same way sometimes! I would say pasta is always something fun to make when I just need to eat...changing it up with a fun shape always helps 🙂
Jamie says
I also have a huge thing for feta as do my men and this dip would disappear in a flash! And a great way to get even those who avoid vegetables to eat them! I've been off cooking, too lately. Maybe because we are in between season and I am desperately waiting for the artichokes, asparagus and summer fruits to show up at the market!
Katia says
I've been feeling the same way lately, busy and pretty uninspired, but you're doing a great job though... that creamy feta dip looks delicious and elegant at the same time, I like it!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Love that it's whipped..I bet this is so creamy and heavenly!