Greek Pico de Gallo with Cucumber (Easy Summer Appetizer!)

This Easy Pico de Gallo with Cucumber is a great fresh appetizer and especially delicious during the summer months when tomatoes and cucumbers are in season! Tomato, cucumber, onion, garlic, lemon, and oregano make up this Greek take on the classic Pico de Gallo. You’ll love including this Greek Pico de Gallo in a Mediterranean appetizer spread.

Greek Pico de Gallo with Cucumber in a metal bowl surrounded by homemade pita chips for an easy summer appetizer

Click HERE to save this Summer Appetizer to Pinterest!

Creating this Greek Pico de Gallo with Cucumber

Sometimes as a food blogger it can be tough to feel like every time you share a recipe you have to have something interesting to say along with it.

There are times when there is a funny anecdote from the kids that relates to a recipe, or something interesting or educational about the food or the cooking method.

Or there is something relevant going on in our lives that does tie back to the recipe.

Plenty of other times there is really nothing to say other than “I decided to make this and it was good so I decided I wanted to share it.”

Or the scenario presents itself that I took the photos of the recipe a while ago and didn’t get it written up quickly enough that I’ve forgotten if there even was anything to say about the recipe.

The latter two scenarios are definitely the case with this Greek Pico de Gallo.

I made it and it was good, so I decided that I wanted to photograph it so that I could save this recipe for myself.

How is this Pico de Gallo with Cucumber Different?

This recipe has a few key differences from Mexican recipes for pico de gallo. Here’s how I’ve mixed things up:

Instead of fresh lime juice, it uses fresh lemon juice and lemon zest.
Instead of fresh cilantro, it uses fresh oregano.
There are no fresh jalapeños.
Diced cucumbers are added to this homemade pico de gallo.

Looking Back at Past Years

When I first started this blog, my youngest was 1 year old. I’ve always loved cooking and I wanted a place to keep a record of my recipes, but I also felt like I needed a creative outlet and something to do during nap time.

I often churned out recipes, photographed them and blogged them during the same 24 hour span.

I look back at those difficult early years when kids needed so much from me and needed me to do so much for them. I often thought “when they’re older…” but the truth is, they need just as much from me now, it just looks different.

I’m not bathing them or rocking them to sleep. I’m not feeding them or helping them dress. But I still spend a good portion of my day doing for them.

It is crazy to think that Madeline turns 10 in a few weeks. It seems like only yesterday and also a lifetime ago at the same time.

Crazy to think that Good Life Eats is almost as old as “the baby” of the family.

What’s in this Greek Pico de Gallo with Cucumber?

Tomatoes
Red Onion
Cucumber
Fresh Garlic
Lemon Juice
Lemon Zest
Fresh Oregano
Salt and Pepper

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

Tools Needed to Make this Cucumber Pico de Gallo

You’ll need just a couple basic kitchen tools to prepare this recipe for pico de gallo with cucumbers. Here’s what I recommend having on hand before getting started:

Sharp Knife and Cutting Board – to dice the onion, mince the garlic, and cut the vegetables into small cubes.
Mixing Bowl – to combine all of the chopped ingredients in.
Mixing Spoon or Flexible Spatula – to stir the ingredients together to make this Greek Pico.

How to Make Greek Pico de Gallo with Cucumber

This recipe is so easy to make! Here’s what you’ll need to do:

Mince the onion and garlic, dice the plum tomatoes and English cucumber, juice and zest a lemon, and chop fresh oregano.

You’ll add all those ingredients to a medium bowl, stir it together, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

The above is simply a quick summary of this Greek Pico de Gallo recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Tips for Making the Best Cucumber Pico de Gallo

Make this in the summer when tomatoes are fresh, juicy, and in season.
If using English cucumbers, leave the peel on for extra color.
Cut the tomato and cucumber in even shapes and sizes. A small dice is idea for serving this recipe.
For best results, use fresh oregano, not dried.

Cucumber Pico de Gallo Recipe FAQs

Got questions about how to make this Greek pico de gallo? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.

What are the best cucumbers to use for this Greek Pico de Gallo?

I prefer to use English cucumbers when making this because that variety has fewer/smaller seeds than regular cucumbers.

They also have a thin skin, so you don’t need the extra step of peeling them. Plus a little extra green looks pretty!

What are the best tomatoes to use in this Cucumber Pico?

Any tomato that is in season and ripe will taste delicious, but I prefer varieties with fewer seeds and more “meat.” Tomatoes with high water content will make this recipe more liquidy and somewhat mushy.

Plum or Roma tomatoes are great options. Certain beefsteak and heirloom varieties will also work well.

Last summer I grew Cherokee Purple Tomatoes and those garden-fresh tomatoes were delicious in this light summer appetizer.

Can I Use a Different Type of Onion?

I love the color the red onion adds to this recipe, but you can easily use white onion or yellow onion.

I would not use sweet onions or green onions when making this Greek pico.

Is this eaten hot or cold?

We prefer this as a cold appetizer or salad. It can also be served room temperature or warm depending on how you plan to eat it. I have several ideas below.

How Should I Serve Pico de Gallo with Cucumber?

This Greek Pico de Gallo is something that I’ve made several times in my blogging years to go with various meals. It is the perfect summery, creative dish to add lots of color and flavor in a variety of uses.

Eat it just as it is or use a few of the creative ways below to get you started with putting together something different:

Chips and Dip, of course!

My favorite way to eat this Greek pico the simplest way possible – scoop it up salsa style with Whole Wheat Garlic Pita Chips. I love healthy recipes like this for a tasty snack.

A Great Topping for Meat

Toss some chicken, or whatever meat you like, in your favorite Greek style salad dressing. Grill it up and top it with a spoonful of this Cucumber Pico de Gallo of a easy, and fresh meal.

For a fall-inspired option, try serving with these Greek Chicken Thighs Skillet Dinner.

Easy Appetizer for Summer

Bake puff pastry cups or phyllo cups and put Greek Pico de Gallo inside the center after baking.

Easy Summer Salad

Spoon some Greek pico on top of a pile of greens and toss to coat. For a tasty entrée green salad, add grilled chicken (see above), crumbled feta, and some pita chips for crunch. Perfect for hot summer days.

Pasta Salad

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the lemon juice and seasonings in the recipe, prepare the rest according to instructions, then add your favorite pasta (cooked and cooled).

Enjoy the simple just like that or add other ingredients such as kalamata olives, chopped fresh spinach, crumbled feta and/or meat.

Season to taste with salt and pepper to account for the added ingredients.

In a Pita Pocket

Stuff a pita pocket with this Greek Pico de Gallo and whatever other fixings you like for a great lunch. Check out this Grilled Chicken Greek Pita Pocket for inspiration.

How should I store leftovers?

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll last 2 – 4 days when stored properly.

photo of a light summer appetizer in a bowl - cucumber pico de gallo with fresh oregano and a slice of lemon on top

Click HERE to save this Cucumber Pico de Gallo to Pinterest!

Try this Pico de Gallo with Cucumber at Home!

Next time you’re looking for a light summer appetizer, give this Cucumber Pico de Gallo a try!

Did you love how light and refreshing it is? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this great recipe.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of delicious Mediterranean appetizer!

More Mediterranean Appetizer Ideas

Puff pastry shells are filled with kalamata olives, red bell pepper, fresh oregano, feta, and spinach with a warm lemony olive oil vinaigrette for a scrumptious Puff Pastry Appetizer that are perfect for any party.

Cucumber Roll Ups are great for entertaining. Cucumber strips are rolled up with a creamy filling featuring sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, feta cheese, and kalamata olives.

In this recipe, feta cheese is marinated in olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and sun dried tomatoes. Serve this Marinated Feta Appetizer with crackers or crusty bread.

Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.

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What are your favorite cold appetizer for summer?