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Maroulosalata is a classic Greek salad made with finely chopped romaine lettuce, dill, fresh green onions, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a refreshing lemony dressing! It’s a quick and simple salad to prepare, but you’ll be amazed by the burst of flavors it delivers!
This fresh Mediterranean salad is pronounced Mar-ool-o-salata, which translates to “lettuce salad”, and that’s exactly what it is! It’s a very refreshing and simple salad, yet packed with extraordinary Mediterranean flavors, highlighted by the creamy feta.
Besides, It’s one of the most iconic Greek salads and just like my classic Greek salad, it’s so easy to make!
Don’t forget, the secret of Maroulosalata is in how you chop the romaine lettuce. Finely chop it to preserve the salad’s authentic identity. Otherwise, the dressing won’t coat every piece properly!
Table of contents
Recipe Highlights: Maroulosalata
Cultural Influence: Greek
Primary Cooking Technique: Chopping and tossing
Dominant Flavor Profile: Refreshingly crisp with bright citrus notes and a savory finish from feta
Skill Level Required: Beginner-friendly
Why Make This Refreshing Greek Salad?
There are countless reasons to prepare Maroulosalata daily!
First, its versatility stands out. You can enjoy it on its own as a standout dish or pair it with other Greek dishes such as Greek Eggplant Moussaka or Keftedes.
Second, we consider this refreshing salad to be extremely quick and easy. It requires almost no time at all to prep and chop the salad, making it ideal for a quick late-night snack, especially during hot summer nights!
Besides, Maroulosalata is healthy, fresh, and wholesome. It contains fresh ingredients like romaine lettuce, dill, onions, and feta cheese, all of which are loaded with nutrients.
Ingredients
For the Salad
Romaine Lettuce: This kind of lettuce is used in the traditional recipe, so to ensure authenticity, you must use it. Plus, it grants the salad the appetizing crunch it’s famous for!
Green Onions: This ingredient holds the secret to a flavorful, rich savory taste. It’s not overpowering but is definitely a game changer!
Dill: The star of the show! This herb takes this Greek salad to the next level, enhancing its flavor profile and adding a touch of deliciousness and excitement to every bite.
Feta Cheese: Creamy and slightly tangy, this cheese adds a pleasant salty taste to Maroulosalata. For the best results, use feta in brine and crumble it on top of the salad.
For the Dressing
Olive Oil: Make sure that you use good-quality olive oil for the dressing.
Lemon Juice: It is an essential component found in every salad dressing.
Salt: You can’t skip adding a pinch of salt to anything you’re preparing—it balances out the flavors perfectly.
How to Make Maroulosalata
Step 1: Chop the Veggies
First of all, chop the lettuce, green onions, and dill. Mix them together.
Step 2: Add the Dressing
Add the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and crumble the feta on top of the salad and give it a gentle toss.
Recipe Tips
Opt for a Creamy Block of Feta Cheese: It’s best to use a block of creamy feta cheese in brine, then crumble it on top of the salad and give it a quick toss just before serving. A whole block of cheese tends to be creamier and richer in flavor.
Gently Toss to Preserve Feta Texture: Be careful not to overmix the salad with the feta to prevent it from breaking up too much while tossing.
Use Ladolemono for a Quick Dressing: This salad dressing is extremely simple and quite similar to Ladolemono (Greek Lemon Olive Oil Sauce). If you happen to have some of the latter stored in your fridge, you can drizzle it over your finely chopped veggies.
Ensure Lettuce is Completely Dry: Please make sure your lettuce is completely dry. If it’s damp, the dressing won’t adhere properly to the leaves.
Enhance the Crunch: Thinly slice the lettuce to ensure it stays crunchy and crisp, and for even distribution of the dressing.
Serving Suggestions
Maroulosalata is a refreshing salad that can be enjoyed on its own, whether as a quick lunch or a light dinner prepared in a hurry. However, here are some interesting ways you can enjoy this delightful salad from Greece.
Greek Feast: You can create a Greek feast by including this salad alongside well-known Greek appetizers and dips such as, Tzatziki and Saganaki. And let’s not forget the Greek main dishes, you can pair it with Souvlaki, Pastitsio and Moussaka.
Enjoy It On Its Own: You can’t deny the freshness and crunchiness that this salad offers. So, if you’re craving a light lunch, Maroulosalata on its own is more than perfect.
Simple Combo: This Greek salad also pairs well with grilled salmon or chicken. It’s an uncomplicated yet delicious combo.
Variations and Substitutions
Lettuce: Romaine lettuce is used in the traditional recipe. However, if it is not available, you can substitute it with either iceberg, butter lettuce or little gem lettuce.
Herbs: This recipe calls for dill as the herb option. However, you can add more aromatic herbs to elevate the taste of the salad and provide an extra burst of flavor if desired, such as fresh mint or a bit of parsley.
Green Onions: These ingredients may seem strong, but they actually have a subtle savory and sweet taste. Because of this, you can’t directly substitute them with ordinary onions. However, you can use a small amount of red onions or shallots as a replacement.
How to Store Maroulosalata
Refrigeration: Store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers. The dressing can be kept in the fridge for up to a week; shake the container before using as the olive oil and lemon juice may separate. The chopped salad can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Leftovers: If you have already mixed and prepared the salad but have leftovers, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is recommended to chop and mix the salad right before serving to keep it fresh. However, you can chop the veggies and prepare the dressing up to an hour in advance, then store both separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, simply add the dressing to the salad.
Greek Maroulosalata is not vegan since it contains feta cheese. However, you can eliminate the cheese or substitute it with vegan cheese if available.
If dill is unavailable or if you want to experiment with new flavors, you can use fresh mint or parsley instead.
More Classic Greek Recipes
Seafood and Fish
Shrimp Saganaki (Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta)
Greek Recipes
Ladolemono (Greek Lemon Olive Oil Sauce)
Greek Recipes
Fasolakia – Greek Green Beans
Greek Recipes
Spanakorizo Greek Spinach Rice
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Maroulosalata (Greek Lettuce Salad)
Ingredients
- 2 heads romaine lettuce
- 3 green onions, chopped
- ½ cup dill, chopped
- ½ cup feta, crumbled
For the Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, juice of
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Wash and dry the lettuce. Then finely chop it and place it in a bowl.
- Add in the chopped green onions and dill.
- Add in the olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Toss well to combine.
- Finally, add in the crumbled feta and gently toss the salad. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
