This simple zucchini salad with feta cheese is refreshing, delicious, and perfect for a quick summer meal or a BBQ. It's such a delicious light summer salad that's crunchy, cheesy, salty, and tangy.
[This recipe was originally posted in August 2018. It has been updated with new photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, video and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
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This salad is adapted from an Epicurious recipe that my mom made all the time one summer.
How will this shaved zucchini salad with feta make your life easier?
This recipe has minimal ingredients, a super easy dressing, and maximal flavor. To make this salad even easier, like to actually just take 3-5 minutes to throw together, I'd recommend grabbing some fresh zoodles. Sure they'll be thicker, but it'll save you time and that's worth A LOT!
Plus it's a great way to use up all that garden zucchini if you or your neighbor are growing it. You can also make Zucchini Bread or this easy Vegetarian Burrito Bowl with Queso (ok it's not in the recipe, but would be great with shaved or sauteed zucchini).
What makes this zucchini salad so good?
- Zucchini
- Fresh or frozen corn
- Feta cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Sunflower seeds
- Red pepper flakes
How do I make this zucchini salad?
First step is to cut zucchini. Slice zucchini in half, and then use a vegetable peeler or mandolin to shave off thin slices of zucchini. It's similar to how you'd peel carrots. Press down firmly, and know that they may not all be even slices, but that's ok.
Expert Tip: You can also use a mandolin. I've used both, they're equally easy. Or buy zoodles to save more time.
Once zucchini is cut, place it in a medium sized bowl. Add ¼ cup corn, 1 oz feta to bowl.
Make dressing by adding 1 teaspoon lemon juice & a pinch of red pepper flakes to 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Drizzle over salad before serving.
Expert Tip: Don't dress whole salad if it won't be eaten in one sitting. Dress immediately before serving.
Expert Tip: Add more red pepper flakes if you'd like it spicy, or less for less spicy. Dressing will continue to get spicier as it sits out.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, toss & enjoy.
Serve this salad with chicken burgers, spiced lamb burgers or grill up a quick chicken breast or shrimp for a complete meal (+ a grain if you're anything like me).
Expert tips
- Slice zucchini in half to make peeling easier
You can also use a mandolin. I've used both, they're equally easy. - Buy zoodles to save more time
- Make just enough to eat right away, this stores fine, but isn't nearly as good after being refrigerated. Or dress each salad before serving to save leftovers.
- Add more red pepper flakes if you'd like it spicy, or less for less spicy. Dressing will continue to get spicier as it sits out.
FAQ
Can you eat zucchini raw in a salad?
Yes, it's so good. Raw zucchini is best when it's cut really thin like in this salad. Use a vegetable peeler or mandoline to slice really thin.
How do I store zucchini?
Store it unwashed in the crisper in your fridge for up to 1-2 weeks. The skin will start to shrivel over time, but can be sliced off if you don't want to eat it.
What can I make with the leftover ingredients?
- (zucchini & corn) add it to veggie tacos, veggie quesadilla, breakfast tacos, or a burrito bowl
- (zucchini) zucchini bread
Did you make this zucchini salad with feta? leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Shaved Zucchini Salad with Feta
Equipment
- vegetable peeler
- cutting board
- small mixing bowl
- knife
- serving bowl
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- ½ large zucchini
- ¼ cup corn fresh or thawed
- 1 ounce crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lightly salted unshelled sunflower seeds
- sprinkle red pepper flakes or to taste
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- First step is to cut zucchini. Slice zucchini in half, and then use a vegetable peeler or mandolin to shave off thin slices of zucchini. It's similar to how you'd peel carrots. Press down firmly, and know that they may not all be even slices, but that's ok.
- Once zucchini is cut, place it in a medium sized bowl. Add ¼ cup corn, 1 oz feta to bowl.
- Make dressing by adding 1 teaspoon lemon juice & a pinch of red pepper flakes to 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Drizzle over salad before serving.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, toss & enjoy.
Notes
- Slice zucchini in half to make peeling easier
You can also use a mandolin. I've used both, they're equally easy. - Buy zoodles to save more time
- Make just enough to eat right away, this stores fine, but isn't nearly as good after being refrigerated. Or dress each salad before serving to save leftovers.
- Add more red pepper flakes if you'd like it spicy, or less for less spicy. Dressing will continue to get spicier as it sits out.
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Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
Sometimes simple and seasonal really is the best and this is the perfect example. When produce is fresh it tastes so much better. I love the way you shaved the zucchini. So pretty!
Rebecca says
they're totally the best! thanks
Leslie says
This sounds delicious. I'm going to a pot luck this weekend. This salad would be perfect!
Rebecca says
ohh yes it would! LMK how it turns out
Mike from Chili Pepper Madness says
This would be such a great side dish with some grilled white fish. I just grabbed some halibut, so they will be joining me on a plate together very soon!
Rebecca says
ohhhhh yes! that sounds so delicious
Linda says
Zucchini and corn are one of my favorite combinations. This looks so good. I didn't grow zucchini this year, but the ones i've purchased at the farmers market are ginormous - and delicious.
Rebecca says
ahh haha, right?! aren't they ALL gigantic?! yasss
Traci says
I'm always up for lots of corn and zucchini this time of year, and I love how you added sunflower seeds to this recipe. So simple, healthy, and delicious. Just pinned!
Rebecca says
awesome! thanks Traci
Kelly says
I always love the look of shaved zucchini. And the taste is awesome too. It's so delicate!
Rebecca says
yes! it's definitely underutilized especially since it's pretty, easy, & delish
Deborah Brooks says
zucchini and corn are always a great combo. One of my favorites as well
Rebecca says
it's such a great and easy combo!
Abbey Sharp says
What a gorgeous salad and also a fun way to use zucchini and corn. Love how simple this salad is. Great for entertaining
Rebecca says
Thanks Abbey! it's simple for sure
Andrea says
Zucchini with corn and feta sounds so good. My family will love this.
Rebecca says
it's such a great & easy flavor combo! thanks
Emily says
I love shaved zucchini, so fresh and delicious I can't wait to try this salad!
Rebecca says
ahh me too! it's so good & underutilized
Genevieve says
I love zucchini and this recipe looks delicious!
Rebecca says
isn't zucchini the best?! thanks!
Sara Welch says
What a crisp and refreshing salad! This will be perfect for lunch tomorrow; yum!
Rebecca says
awesome! LMK how it turns out!
Sara says
I love this! My zucchini has been growing like crazy this summer so I needed a fresh approach to it!
Rebecca says
great timing! yes I love this recipe because it's really easy & also just different enough to look forward to haha!
GiGi Eats says
Zucchini is just so perfect! Raw or Grilled... It's always delicious!
Rebecca says
amen! it's delicious all ways!
Sarah says
I love how you created something so simple, yet it makes such a statement. A perfect way to embrace summer flavors!
Rebecca says
thanks so much Sarah! these summer flavors are my fave!
Leslie says
This is a great, simple, healthy recipe! Really love that you added sunflower seeds to this. Perfect addition!
Rebecca says
thanks so much! the sunflower seeds are the cherry on top!
Julie says
This looks so fresh and delish! Love the fresh corn with feta. What a dreamy flavor combo.
Rebecca says
it's so dreamy! thanks!
Anthea || The Salty Biscotti Blog says
What a fantastic salad!! I love it!!
Rebecca says
thanks so much!
Whitney says
Zucchini is my favorite! I love how simple this is!
Rebecca says
same! zucchini is delish. thanks!