This kiwi feta salad is my most summery, fresh-tasting, delicious salad ever! If you've never had kiwi as part of a savoury dish before, this is the place to start.
Cool, sweet kiwi is served with juicy tomatoes, cool cucumbers and creamy avocado, all sliced extra thinly and served on a platter with a drizzle of basil oil and a sprinkling of feta.
Kiwis are great to use in savoury dishes - think how watermelon can work in salads and you get the idea. They're also a great way to introduce extra nutrition, since a single fruit contains as much potassium as a banana and 100% of your daily vitamin C.
I've used golden kiwis because they're in season as I write this and so pretty. What's more, the skin on golden kiwis is softer and hairless that their green counterparts, so they're a great choice for this salad, but you can certainly use standard green kiwis if you prefer.
It is SO GOOD and so quick to make. You'll start by blitzing fresh basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice together to make the beautiful basil oil.
Next, you'll thinly slice all the salad ingredients, cutting through the top so you can see the pretty insides of each fruit. Once everything is sliced, it's simply a case of arranging on the plate, drizzling with basil oil and finishing with a crumble of feta. You can add a grind of fresh black pepper if you like, then sit back and enjoy the little taste of sunshine this savoury fruit salad brings.
The best thing about this salad is that it's super quick to prepare and great for the whole family. Invite everyone to dig in and challenge the kids to try a little of everything. It’s a fabulous option on your journey to get your kids to be more adventurous with food, as their taste buds will love the surprisingly delicious combination of sweet, savoury and a little salty.
You could even have fun discussing how everything sliced on the plate is a fruit - the kiwi, of course, but also the cucumber, tomatoes and, yes, even the avocado!
Ingredients
For the basil oil
- 10 g (½ cup) fresh basil
- 50 ml (3 tbsp) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon (juice)
- pinch salt and black pepper to taste
For the kiwi feta salad
- 3 fresh tomatoes
- ½ whole (½) cucumber
- ½ avocado
- 4 golden kiwis or green kiwis
- 25 g (1 oz) Greek feta cheese
Equipment
- Equipment
- Serving dish
Instructions
Make the basil oil
Put the fresh basil, olive oil and lemon juice in a food processor. Blitz until you have a dressing with only small flecks of basil leaf remaining.
Taste and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a jar and store in the fridge.
Make the salad
Slice all your salad items along the top into thin slices. This helps show off the natural beauty of the inner fruit. Leave the skin on kiwis - it’s soft and delicious - or peel it off if you prefer.
Arrange the tomato slices on a large serving platter.
Follow with the cucumber slices. I placed them in between each tomato slice to give a pretty alternating effect.
Lay on the avocado slices.
Finish by arranging the kiwi slices in the middle of the platter as the sweet and smooth star of the show.
Drizzle the whole platter with a few teaspoons of basil oil.
Finish by crumbling the feta on top and scattering with more black pepper to taste.
Enjoy!
Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect kiwi feta salad
Is kiwi feta salad easy to make?
This kiwi feta salad is summer on a plate, a riot of colour, and so easy to make that you'll have it ready for the table in no time! The salad items are simply sliced and arranged on the platter, and the basil oil dressing is easily blitzed in a food processor.
Will I need any special equipment for this kiwi feta salad?
Everything you need for this kiwi feta salad should be easy to find in most home kitchens. For the basil oil, I use a mini food processor but you could use a standard food processor, smoothie maker or personal blender.
To prepare the salad, you'll need a sharp knife and a chopping board, plus a large serving plate to arrange it on.
Head down to the recipe card below where you'll find a full list of suggested equipment.
Where can I buy golden kiwis?
In the UK, you can get golden kiwis in larger supermarkets or with your online shop.
They are in season throughout the summer and into early autumn, but usually imported from places like Italy, Greece, New Zealand and Greece, as they are not commercially grown in the UK.
Kiwis are actually native to China, though have been popularised by New Zealand hence why they are known as kiwis in the UK.
The skins on golden kiwis are thinner and much softer than green kiwis with a less hairy texture, so you can happily eat the skins too. If you're using green kiwis instead, the skins are edible, but you might want to trim them off before slicing the kiwi.
How can I tell if kiwis have gone off?
Kiwis are best kept in the fridge to keep them fresher for longer. Check the packaging for storage and shelf life information. Fresh kiwis should feel quite firm, with a little bit of give, and will be juicy when you slice into them.
As with most fruits, they become softer as they ripen, and then eventually will become overripe and very soft. Once they've gone off, they will start to break down and disintegrate, perhaps starting to grow mould. If this is the case, discard the kiwis and wash out the container they've been kept in.
Is this kiwi feta salad suitable for vegetarians?
This kiwi feta salad is indeed vegetarian as long as you take care to use vegetarian feta.
Labelling on cheese can be a little confusing as the ingredients may just say rennet, rather than specifying whether it is the animal or vegetable kind. In the UK it's not a requirement by law to label all processing ingredients, but many manufacturers do so voluntarily. This means you just need to make sure your feta (or "Greek-style cheese" if made outside of Greece) is clearly labelled as being suitable for vegetarians. A green 'V' on the packet, for example, usually indicates that the cheese has been made with vegetarian rennet.
When cooking for vegetarians, double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure that they are suitable. Don't forget to also check anything extra you intend to serve with this kiwi salad.
Is this kiwi feta salad suitable for vegans?
The only ingredient in this recipe that isn't vegan-friendly is the feta, so you can easily make a vegan version by omitting it, or using a vegan cheese alternative.
There are so many different vegan cheeses available now, but my go-to for a feta style vegan cheese is Violife Feta Style Non-Dairy Cheese Alternative. It doesn't have quite the same texture and flavour, but it's very good.
Double-check all of your ingredients labels to make sure that they are suitable for vegans. Don't forget to also check anything extra you intend to serve with this summer salad.
Is this kiwi feta salad gluten-free?
Yes! No wheat here, so this kiwi feta salad is naturally gluten-free.
Whenever cooking for someone who needs to avoid gluten, make sure to double check all of your ingredients labels, ensuring everything is gluten-free. Don't forget to also check anything extra you intend to serve the recipe with. If you're making a vegan version, do make sure to check the feta alternative you're using is gluten-free.
Is this kiwi feta salad healthy?
This is a lovely salad with a good variety of nutrients thanks to the rainbow of fruit and veg. Served as part of a healthy, balanced meal, it's a great option.
Is this kiwi feta salad safe to eat while pregnant?
Nothing in this recipe should present an issue for pregnant people. Ensure that you use cheese made from pasteurised milk as unpasteurised dairy products may contain listeria.
Make sure all the ingredients are in good condition and this meal is prepared safely and hygienically.
A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.
Is kiwi feta salad suitable for babies and toddlers?
The dressing is seasoned and the feta is a brine soaked cheese which can also be quite high in salt. I would recommend leaving the dressing and feta off any portions intended for babies or young children. The NHS explains why young children and babies should not have salt.
Always give food at an appropriate size and shape for your baby or child. Cut small, round foods, like grapes and cherry tomatoes, into small pieces and consider this when decided how to cut up your child's portion to avoid choking hazards.
Always keep babies supported upright while eating and supervise your baby when they’re eating in case they start to choke.
A Mummy Too does not give medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns please speak to a health professional.
The NHS has some fantastic resources on their website on what to feed babies and young children.
What goes well with this kiwi feta salad?
This kiwi feta salad would be a delicious accompaniment to all sorts of summer recipes. How about serving with my veggie bean patties, harissa falafel, grilled veggies skewers, hummus and pita breads?
Can I make this recipe without avocado?
Avocado lends some lovely, healthy fats to the dish, but if you'd rather omit it, you could try including some celery, courgette, prosciutto or smoked tofu instead.
I haven’t got feta, can I use different cheese?
Feta works well with this dish as it's mild yet salty. If you can't use it, or prefer not to, then goat cheese or grilled halloumi slices would work very well.
Can I add spice/flavour to this recipe?
If you'd like to add more flavour, you could include fresh basil leaves on the platter arrangement, or you can add a pinch of chilli flakes to the basil oil dressing for a kick of heat.
How should I store this kiwi feta salad?
This kiwi feta salad is best eaten on the day of making, but if you have any leftovers, cover them really well and get them into the fridge within an hour of making and they should be safe to eat the next day.
How long does this kiwi feta salad keep? Can I keep this kiwi feta salad in the refrigerator?
If you have any leftovers, get them wrapped and straight into the fridge immediately. You should eat them within 24 hours.
Can I leave this kiwi feta salad out on the counter?
No, you shouldn't leave fresh sliced fruit and cheese out on the counter. Discard any that hasn't been put in the fridge safely within 1 hour, or less on a hot day.
Can I make this kiwi feta salad ahead?
You could make the basil oil dressing the night before, if you like, and store in a sealed jar in the fridge. Remember to shake before using.
If you were serving this salad for lunch and wanted to get a little ahead in the morning, you could cut the veggies and up to an hour ahead and keep it wrapped in the fridge. Don't leave it longer as everything will lose it's sheen and firmness.
Can I freeze this kiwi feta salad?
No, fresh salad items have a high water content and do not freeze well.
Can I make this recipe in a different quantity?
If you want to make more or less of this recipe then go right ahead.
Look for the recipe card below. You'll see the servings near the top left. To change this to the number you want to make just click on it and a little slider will pop up. You can move the slider up or down to get the amount you want to make.
All the ingredient quantities will update automatically for you so that everything is in the right ratios.
Can I make this kiwi feta salad into individual portions?
Yes, if you like, you could prepare the vegetables and dressing the same way, but then assemble as very pretty little individual versions on smaller plates.
Can I serve this kiwi feta salad in a bowl?
I like the colourful impact you get from layering all the ingredients on a platter, but if you prefer a speedier approach, you could mix everything together in a bowl instead. In such a case, you might want to add some spinach and/or rocket leaves to give the salad some height and depth.
Can I make this kiwi feta salad with a food processor?
You can make the basil dressing in a food processor. You could also slice the veggies if you have a mandolin attachment, otherwise that job is best done by hand.
How can I make sure this kiwi feta salad is perfectly layered?
Just follow the step-by-step images below to get the perfect salad arrangement.
I layered the tomato on first, then popped the cucumber layers between each tomato slice, which I found easier than trying to alternate them from scratch. After that, it's really straightforward, with the avocado fanned out around the edge and the kiwis layered in the centre.
Why did my salad turn out dry with brown avocado?
If your salad items are dry or brown, it's almost certainly the case that you left them out for too long after slicing, which allowed them to oxidise and begin to break down. Salad should be fresh for serving, so if it's been sitting out for more than an hour, discard everything and start again.
If everything seemed a bit overly soft while slicing, it may be that your fruit and veg were overripe, but that doesn't mean they're off, as long as they look, smell and taste otherwise ok.
How can I add/change the flavours in this kiwi feta salad?
There's almost no limit to what you could add to this kiwi feta salad. Olives would add a salty bitterness while raw courgettes could bring a light, earthy flavour.
Alternatively, fresh basil would make the salad more aromatic, while celery or spring onion could bring some fresh sharpness.
Walnuts could be a creamy crunch, while sweet apple slices and some sharp cheddar could bring a whole new dimension to the dish.
Print this kiwi feta salad recipe
Kiwi Feta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the basil oil
- 10 g (½ cup) fresh basil
- 50 ml (3 tbsp) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon (juice)
- pinch salt and black pepper to taste
For the kiwi feta salad
- 3 fresh tomatoes
- ½ whole (½) cucumber
- ½ avocado
- 4 golden kiwis or green kiwis
- 25 g (1 oz) Greek feta cheese
Equipment
- Equipment
- Serving dish
Instructions
Make the basil oil
- Put the fresh basil, olive oil and lemon juice in a food processor. Blitz until you have a dressing with only small flecks of basil leaf remaining.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a jar and store in the fridge.
Make the salad
- Slice all your salad items along the top into thin slices. This helps show off the natural beauty of the inner fruit. Leave the skin on kiwis - it’s soft and delicious - or peel it off if you prefer.
- Arrange the tomato slices on a large serving platter.
- Follow with the cucumber slices. I placed them in between each tomato slice to give a pretty alternating effect.
- Lay on the avocado slices.
- Finish by arranging the kiwi slices in the middle of the platter as the sweet and smooth star of the show.
- Drizzle the whole platter with a few teaspoons of basil oil.
- Finish by crumbling the feta on top and scattering with more black pepper to taste.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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