Feta Cheese and Olive Sandwich

Feta Cheese and Olive Sandwich

Mia

This Mediterranean-inspired sandwich brings together the bold, tangy flavors of creamy feta cheese with the briny richness of Kalamata olives, creating a portable meal that's as nutritious as it is delicious. Rooted in the heart-healthy principles of the Mediterranean diet, this sandwich celebrates fresh vegetables, quality olive oil, and protein-rich cheese—ingredients that have sustained coastal communities for centuries.

What makes this sandwich truly special is its perfect balance of textures and flavors. The crumbled feta provides a salty, creamy contrast to crisp cucumber and juicy tomatoes, while the olives add depth and complexity. Fresh herbs like oregano and basil echo the sun-drenched hillsides of Greece and Italy, while a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil ties everything together with its fruity, peppery notes.

This grab-and-go meal is ideal for busy mornings, packed lunches, or post-workout refueling. Unlike heavy deli sandwiches loaded with processed meats, this Mediterranean version offers lean protein from feta, healthy fats from olives and olive oil, and plenty of fiber from whole grain bread and vegetables. It's substantial enough to keep you satisfied for hours, yet light enough that you won't feel weighed down.

The beauty of this sandwich lies in its simplicity and versatility. It requires no cooking, comes together in minutes, and can be easily customized based on what's fresh and available. Whether you're following a Mediterranean diet or simply looking for a healthier alternative to typical lunch fare, this sandwich delivers authentic flavors and genuine nourishment in every bite.

Nutrition

10 minutes
None servings
385 calories
Fat 18.00g
Carbs 38.00g
Protein 16.00g

Ingredients

4 sliceswhole grain bread
4 ozfeta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cupkalamata olives, pitted and sliced
1/2 mediumcucumber, thinly sliced
1 mediumtomato, thinly sliced
2 tbspred onion, thinly sliced
4 leavesromaine lettuce, washed and dried
1 tbspextra virgin olive oil
1 tspred wine vinegar
1/2 tspdried oregano
4 leavesfresh basil leaves (optional)
1/4 tspblack pepper, freshly ground

Equipment

Cutting board
small mixing bowl
pastry brush
sharp knife
whisk or fork
parchment paper or foil

80/20 Diet

This sandwich aligns with 80/20 principles as the vast majority of ingredients are nutrient-dense whole foods—vegetables, whole grain bread, olive oil, and fresh herbs—with only the feta cheese and olives being slightly more indulgent components that still provide nutritional value.

Clean Eating

This sandwich exemplifies clean eating with whole, minimally processed ingredients including whole grain bread, fresh vegetables, real cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. Every ingredient is recognizable in its natural form with no refined sugars, artificial additives, or heavily processed components.

Flexitarian Diet

This plant-forward sandwich emphasizes vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats from olives and olive oil, with feta cheese as a modest protein source. It exemplifies flexitarian principles by making plants the foundation while including small amounts of dairy for flavor and nutrition.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe can easily be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free bread, as all other ingredients (feta cheese, olives, vegetables, olive oil, and fresh herbs) are naturally gluten-free and contain no wheat, barley, or rye.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This sandwich supports heart health with extra virgin olive oil providing monounsaturated fats, whole grain bread for fiber, abundant vegetables, and moderate amounts of feta cheese. The recipe avoids processed meats, trans fats, and excessive sodium while emphasizing Mediterranean-style ingredients known for cardiovascular benefits.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense sandwich is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing balanced macronutrients with quality protein from feta, healthy fats from olive oil and olives, complex carbohydrates from whole grain bread, and fiber-rich vegetables to promote satiety throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This sandwich supports intuitive eating principles by offering a satisfying, balanced meal that honors both nutrition and pleasure without restriction or guilt. It combines varied textures and flavors that engage the senses while providing nourishment from whole grains, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats.

Mediterranean Diet

This sandwich is a quintessential Mediterranean Diet meal, featuring extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat, whole grain bread, abundant fresh vegetables (cucumber, tomato, lettuce), and feta cheese in moderation. The inclusion of Kalamata olives, fresh herbs like oregano and basil, and the emphasis on plant-based ingredients with minimal processing perfectly aligns with Mediterranean eating principles.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is perfect for mindful eating with its diverse textures (creamy feta, crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes), vibrant colors, and aromatic fresh herbs that engage multiple senses. The whole, minimally processed ingredients encourage slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation of each component.

Vegetarian Diet

This sandwich is completely vegetarian, containing no meat, poultry, fish, or seafood while providing protein from feta cheese and fiber from whole grains and vegetables. It offers a balanced, satisfying meal with dairy-based protein and abundant plant foods.

Instructions

1

Lay out the 4 slices of whole grain bread on a clean cutting board or work surface.

2

In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, and freshly ground black pepper to create a simple dressing.

1 min
3

Lightly brush or drizzle the olive oil dressing onto all 4 slices of bread, distributing it evenly.

1 min
4

Place 2 romaine lettuce leaves on each of the 2 bottom bread slices, creating a base layer for the sandwich.

5

Layer the sliced tomatoes evenly over the lettuce on both sandwiches, using about half the tomato per sandwich.

6

Add the sliced cucumber on top of the tomatoes, distributing evenly between the two sandwiches.

7

Sprinkle the thinly sliced red onion over the cucumber layer on both sandwiches.

8

Distribute the crumbled feta cheese evenly over both sandwiches, using about 2 ounces per sandwich.

9

Scatter the sliced Kalamata olives over the feta cheese on both sandwiches.

10

If using fresh basil leaves, place 2 leaves on top of each sandwich for added freshness and flavor.

11

Place the remaining 2 slices of bread on top to complete the sandwiches.

12

Cut each sandwich in half diagonally for easier eating, or wrap tightly in parchment paper or foil for grab-and-go convenience.

1 min

Frequently Asked Questions