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    Home » Mediterranean recipes

    The Best Greek Salad Recipe

    Published: Mar 9, 2021 · Modified: Jun 8, 2021 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    798 shares
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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Here is a traditional Greek salad recipe, requiring just a few ingredients. It's the perfect starter or side dish for a Mediterranean meal.

    Greek salad has chunks of feta, olives and cucumber.

    Mediterranean dishes need Mediterranean sides, right? There's no shortage of side dish options in Greek cuisine. Some of our go-to recipes are fasolakia (Greek green beans), Greek potatoes, skordalia and, of course, tzatziki when we're looking for an fresh and easy side dish. Today we have this classic Greek salad, a simple recipe with so much flavor.

    Table Of Contents:
    • About this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Greek salad
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Notes and tips
    • More Mediterranean salads
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    About this recipe

    Greek salad, also called Horiatiki salad or village salad, is a simple salad recipe that's common throughout Greece and the Mediterranean region. Authentic Greek salad is served at almost every local and family-owned restaurant in Greece as an appetizer or side dish. You may even have tried a salad like this at your local Greek restaurant!

    Greek salad has chunks of feta, olives and cucumber.

    Even though this salad calls for simple ingredients, the flavors are anything but basic. Every bite is so flavorful thanks to the combination of vegetables with feta and the addition of kalamata olives.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make Mediterranean Greek salad are olives, tomatoes, bell pepper, feta cheese, onion and cucumber.
    • Tomatoes - I like using Roma tomatoes. Try to find tomatoes that are firm and not too watery.
    • Olives - Kalamata olives are the best choice. They give the salad a nice salty flavor.
    • Red onion - Adds a crisp, fresh flavor to your salad. Don't skip it!
    • Cucumber - An essential part of most Mediterranean salads. Persian cucumbers work best; if using English cucumbers, remove the seeds.
    • Green bell pepper - A few slices adds a subtle sweetness.
    • Feta cheese - Feta is the quintessential Mediterranean cheese and pairs well with the above vegetables. Read more on Cook's Illustrated about feta cheese. If you enjoy using feta in salads, check out our grilled peach salad with feta as well.
    • Seasoning - You need salt, pepper and oregano, that's all!
    • Extra virgin olive oil - It wouldn't be a salad from the Mediterranean without a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, right?

    Those of you who follow our collection of Persian recipes might notice that Greek salad has a lot in common with salad shirazi and cucumber tomato feta salad. However, unlike salad shirazi, in this Greek salad recipe we cut our ingredients into big chunks, rather than finely dicing them. A creamy block of feta also contributes to this salad's uniquely Greek flavor profile. There are no leafy greens in this recipe, so feel free to chop the ingredients ahead of time and assemble everything right before serving.

    How to make Greek salad

    Wash and dry the vegetables. Chop tomatoes and cucumbers into big chunks and cut the kalamata olives in half (or just add them whole).

    Slice the red onion thinly and cut the green bell pepper into rings. You can also cut the green bell pepper into chunks but most chefs find that rings are more aesthetically pleasing on the plate.

    To make authentic Greek salad, chop all the ingredients into large chunks.

    Add all the chopped vegetables into a large bowl and then mix well with salt, pepper and oregano. Transfer the vegetables to the serving plate and top with chunks of feta cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and serve cold.

    Mix all the vegetables in a bowl and season with salt, pepper and oregano.

    Variations

    Simplicity is the key to an authentic Greek salad. However, there's nothing wrong with adding a few extra ingredients to suit your tastes. Here are some suggestions:

    • Lettuce: you can use different types of lettuce such as iceberg, butter or romaine.
    • Marinated feta: Try using marinated feta instead of regular feta for more flavor and a bit of a kick!
    • Quinoa: cooked red or regular quinoa would work well.
    • Beets: pickled or cooked beets are a good addition.
    • Artichoke hearts
    • Chickpeas: canned chickpeas turn this salad into a full meal.
    • Lentils: cooked lentils make a great addition and source of protein.
    • Orzo: if you really want to add pasta, orzo would be a good choice!

    You'll find lots of different variations on this essential Greek recipe as you travel. I've seen many restaurants in Istanbul that serve a basic side salad just like this, often with the addition of a spicy green pepper or two to liven up the flavors a little bit!

    This easy Greek salad recipe requires chunks of creamy feta.

    Serving suggestions

    This Greek salad recipe goes well with lots of tasty Mediterranean dishes such as Greek meatballs (keftedes), eggplant moussaka, pastitsio, chicken gyro, chicken souvlaki and even our ever-popular shish tawook chicken kabob recipe. Trust me, this salad pairs well with just about any Mediterranean main you can think of!

    Frequently asked questions

    How long does Greek salad last in the fridge?

    Since this simple cucumber salad doesn't have a creamy dressing or leafy greens, it can last for about three days in the fridge. However, I personally prefer to make and eat it fresh.

    Can I double (or even triple) this recipe?

    Absolutely! Simply multiply the amount of the ingredients as desired. Place the sliced feta on the salad right before serving.

    Can I make this ahead of time?

    Yes. Since this salad doesn't call for leafy greens such as lettuce or spinach, you can chop the veggies ahead of time. My only suggestion would be to season and assemble the salad right before serving since salt makes the vegetables release their juice.

    This Greek feta and cucumber salad is simple, easy and perfect for any time of the day.

    Notes and tips

    • Don't crumble the feta! Traditionally, the feta is cut into slices and placed on the salad before serving.
    • Since Greek salad is a simple salad made with a handful of fresh ingredients, it's important that all your ingredients are high quality.
    • If you cannot find Persian or mini cucumbers, use English cucumbers but discard the seeds.

    More Mediterranean salads

    • Easy Mediterranean Potato Salad
    • The Best Mediterranean Salad Recipe
    • Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower Salad
    • Mediterranean Three Bean Salad Recipe

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Traditional Greek Salad Recipe

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    Here is a traditional Greek salad recipe, requiring just a few ingredients. It's the perfect starter or side dish for a Mediterranean meal.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 138 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 Roma tomatoes cut into chunks
    • 1 cup kalamata olives cut in half
    • ½ red onion thinly sliced
    • 3 Persian cucumbers cut into chunks
    • 1 green bell pepper cut into rings
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • ⅛ cup olive oil extra virgin
    • 8 oz creamy feta cheese sliced

    Instructions
     

    • Place tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion, Persian cucumbers and green bell pepper in a large bowl. 
    • Add salt, pepper and oregano to the vegetables and mix well. 
    • Add the olive oil and toss all the vegetables. Add more olive oil if needed. 
    • Transfer the salad into a serving plate and top with chunks of feta cheese. 
    • Serve immediately or cold. 

    Video

    Notes

    • Don't crumble the feta! Traditionally, the feta is cut into slices and placed on the salad before serving.
    • Since Greek salad is a simple salad made with a handful of fresh ingredients, it's important that all your ingredients are high quality.
    • If you cannot find Persian or mini cucumbers, use English cucumbers but discard the seeds.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 821mgPotassium: 295mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 803IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!
    « Easy Greek Pastitsio Recipe
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    798 shares
    • 1

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sara Welch

      June 30, 2021 at 11:48 am

      5 stars
      This was everything a gourmet salad should be and then some! Easily, a new favorite; was quick, easy and delicious!

      Reply
    2. Meenakshi Thakur

      June 30, 2021 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      A simple yet flavor-packed salad! I loved your greek salad. will surely make it again. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    3. Dannii

      June 30, 2021 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      I ate so much of this when island hopping round Greece. This is bringing back some happy food memories.

      Reply
    4. Tara

      June 30, 2021 at 11:07 am

      5 stars
      Such a simple, yet flavor-packed salad! Definitely the perfect starter. I love how easily it all comes together too.

      Reply
    5. veenaazmanov

      June 30, 2021 at 10:07 am

      5 stars
      Looks so colorful and I love the platter combination. Healthy and perfect crunch.

      Reply
    6. Liz

      June 30, 2021 at 9:45 am

      5 stars
      I love Greek salad so this traditional version is perfect. Great for a lunch of easy dinner!

      Reply
    7. Izzy

      February 19, 2021 at 6:24 am

      5 stars
      Sometimes the beauty of a recipe lies in its simplicity, which is why I feel that this is one of the best easy recipes ever. Tysm!

      Reply
    8. Lisalia

      February 19, 2021 at 12:10 am

      5 stars
      This was so delicious and fresh! Terrific flavors and textures. My whole family enjoyed this side dish salad. Thank you Shadi!

      Reply
    9. Farida

      April 22, 2020 at 10:02 am

      5 stars
      Thank you.
      I made the chicken Souvlaki and it tasted great and it was ver easy
      Thank You.

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        April 23, 2020 at 9:45 am

        Hi Farida, happy to know that you enjoyed this recipe! Chicken souvlaki is our favorite!

        Reply
    10. wilhelmina

      March 04, 2019 at 6:25 am

      5 stars
      This salad is simple but it packs a big flavor punch!

      Reply
    11. Noelle

      March 04, 2019 at 4:08 am

      5 stars
      I love how simple this recipe is, I added chickpeas like you suggested and it turned out wonderful 🙂

      Reply

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    Welcome to Unicorns in the Kitchen, where we share delicious recipes from our kitchen to yours. You’re in for a delicious adventure and collection of unique and tasty recipes.

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    798 shares