Summertime is the perfect time for this easy Mediterranean dip. Use palm oil free crackers or slice peppers and cucumbers to use for scooping. I have a list of crackers below that I believe to be palm oil free. I’ve also put this Mediterranean dip on top of lettuce and spring mix in place of dressing.
What I like is that it’s filled with fresh, healthy salad ingredients but prepared as a dip instead. For me, dips are so much more fun to eat. They are also easier to serve at parties. My family eats this as a snack and as a side for our meals.
With some extra virgin olive oil, it’s easy to make the Mediterranean salad dressing for this dip. It’s so easy to make dressing. The simple ingredients and instructions are below.
Mediterranean Dip
If you have a vegetable chopper, this is really quick to make. It also makes the pieces all the same size which makes it look really nice visually. You can chop by hand as well. This salad as a dip serves six and takes 10 – 15 minutes to prep, depending on if you use a vegetable chopper or dice by hand.
The great thing about this dip is it’s versatile. If you add more or less of an ingredient, it will still turn out great. You can make it and serve it immediately. For best results, I think it takes better after it sits in the refrigerator for a few hours so the flavors meld. This means any leftovers will taste great!
Ingredients
- 7 – 8 tomatoes or large container of cherry tomatoes chopped
- Red onion chopped
- 1 cup English cucumber chopped
- 7 – 8 cup chopped scallions with greens too
- 6 oz feta cheese
- Optional: ½ cup sliced or halved olives
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice from ½ lemon
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon dried dill
- ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
Note on above ingredients: More or less of any of the above ingredients is okay. It’s a forgiving recipe.
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Spoon
- Measuring spoons, cups
- Optional: Vegetable chopper
Using a vegetable chopper makes it easy to chop tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers
How to Make Mediterranean Dip
- Chop and dice tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and scallions into small pieces, and put in large bowl. Mix.
- In small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, and spices.
- Pour dressing over mixture, and combine.
- Add optional ingredients if using.
- Serve, and refrigerate leftovers.
Mediterranean dip recipe with crackers
Serving Suggestions
This is a versatile dip you can enjoy many ways. If you want to enjoy this Mediterranean dip gluten free, serve with gluten free crackers or vegetables for dipping. Try serving it with:
- Crackers that are palm oil free
- Sliced cucumbers
- Mini peppers sliced vertically lengthwise
- Full-sliced peppers sliced in wide strips
- Serve on toasted Dave’s Killer Bread
Mediterranean dip recipe with crackers easy to serve as healthy no-bake appetizer
Crackers Without Palm Oil
Some of my favorite palm oil free crackers are also gluten free. You may find them at Walmart, Costco, or your favorite grocery store.
- Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers Fine Sea Salt (GF)
- CrunchMaster Multi-Seed Original Crunchy Rice-Based Crackers (GF)
- CrunchMaster 6-Seed Multi-Grain Baked Crackers (contains Sesame, Amaranth, Flax, Chia, Quinoa & Millet) (GF)
- Triscuit Cracked Pepper & Olive Oil; Rosemary and Olive Oil; and Roasted Garlic
NOTE: I do not know the source of Natural Flavors in the Triscuits. I believe these Triscuits’ varieties do not contain palm oil but they are not certified Palm Oil Free.
I also believe Dave’s Killer Bread does not contain palm oil. (I buy sliced Dave’s Killer Bread in the green bags and yellow bags from Costco, Walmart, and my local grocery store.)
Store Mediterranean dip in a covered container for up to 3 days
Storing
Store Mediterranean dip for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I don’t recommend freezing. It’s great that you can make this ahead of time.
Why I Like Making This Mediterranean Dip
- Can be made all year — It’s certainly tastier when fresh and in season but uses main ingredients you can find year round.
- Forgiving recipe — If you have more or less of something, it’s okay.
- Versatile — Seems like a salad but it’s a dip
- Great use for extra cucumbers and tomatoes — If you grow cucumbers or tomatoes in abundance, it’s an easy way to use them up.
- Tasty make-ahead appetizer or side
- Chopped tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers make it appetizing vs larger pieces
- Unique and different
Mediterranean dip with feta
Mediterranean Dip Ingredients
Mediterranean dips and salads usually include a combination of ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and sharp onions. Adding olives and feta cheese adds even more flavor and texture. The dressing includes olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. All of these are easy-to-find ingredients you can usually find year round in grocery stores.
Best Mediterranean dip
Making Healthy Dips at Home
My family grows lots of tomatoes and cucumbers in the summer. We have enough to make salsa, sauce, freeze sauce, give some to neighbors, etc. This Mediterranean dip is another great use for them.
I’m not a big fan of the taste of cucumbers but I love eating them in this dip. It tastes great whether or not you use feta cheese and olives.
I love eating salads in the warmer months but find I have to sometimes force myself as it gets colder. Making this dip is an easy way for me to eat more healthy in the winter. It’s also a healthier snack than most processed foods.
This is perfect to bring for potlucks, book club, parties, to set out in the backyard when enjoying a nice evening with friends, etc. It’s different from many other dips. I love making no-bake dips as appetizers.
Thanks for being interested in making foods at home instead of buying premade foods. Here are some of my other recipes that include fresh vegetables:
- Pesto recipe
- Cauliflower rice
- Roasted vegetable soup
- White bean and pasta soup
- Grilled acorn squash
- Roasted brussels sprouts and carrots
Mediterranean Dip
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Spoon
- Measuring spoons, cups
- Optional: Vegetable chopper
Ingredients
- 7 - 8 tomatoes or container of cherry tomatoes chopped
- Red onion chopped
- 1 cup English cucumber chopped
- 7 - 9 chopped scallions - greens and white
- 6 oz feta cheese
- Optional: ½ cup sliced or halved olives
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice from ½ lemon
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon dried dill
- ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
Instructions
- Chop tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and scallions into small pieces, and put in large bowl. Combine.
- In small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, and spices.
- Pour dressing onto mixture and combine.
- Optional: Add feta cheese and/or olives and combine.
- Serve, and then refrigerate leftovers.