Greek Salad Recipe

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Are you craving something fresh, vibrant, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors? My Greek salad recipe is exactly what you need! This colorful combination of crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and zesty dressing has become a staple in my home. Today, I’m sharing my favorite version that stays true to traditional flavors while being incredibly simple to prepare.

Why You’ll Love This Greek Salad

There’s something magical about a well-made Greek salad. The combination of juicy tomatoes, cool cucumbers, and briny olives creates a symphony of flavors that’s both refreshing and satisfying. Here’s why this recipe deserves a spot in your regular meal rotation:

Perfect Balance of Flavors and Textures: Each bite offers a delightful contrast – from the crispness of fresh vegetables to the creaminess of feta cheese, all enhanced by the bright, tangy dressing.

Versatile for Any Occasion: I serve this salad as everything from a light lunch to a dinner party starter. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats, seafood, or can stand alone as a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Quick and Simple: Even on my busiest days, I can throw this together in under 10 minutes with minimal prep work.

Health in a Bowl: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and heart-healthy olive oil, this salad nourishes your body while delighting your taste buds.

Authentic Mediterranean Experience: This recipe stays true to traditional Greek flavors that transport you straight to a seaside taverna with every bite.

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What Makes a Traditional Greek Salad?

While exploring Greek cuisine, I discovered that an authentic Greek salad (known locally as “Horiatiki”) has some key differences from what we often see in American restaurants. In Greece, this salad typically doesn’t include lettuce and focuses heavily on ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and onions. The vegetables are cut into larger chunks rather than finely diced, allowing each ingredient to shine.

Traditional Greek salads are dressed simply with high-quality extra virgin olive oil, a splash of red wine vinegar, and a generous sprinkle of dried oregano. The crowning glory is always a substantial piece of feta cheese placed on top rather than crumbled throughout.

My recipe offers a slightly Americanized version with the option of romaine lettuce while still honoring those authentic Mediterranean flavors that make Greek salad so beloved worldwide.

Perfect Greek Salad Ingredients

For my Greek salad recipe, quality ingredients make all the difference. Here’s everything you’ll need to create this Mediterranean masterpiece:

Fresh Produce:

• 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce (optional, for a more American-style salad)
• 2 large, ripe tomatoes (preferably on the vine for best flavor)
• 1 English cucumber
• ½ small red onion
• ½ green bell pepper
• ½ cup kalamata olives (with pits for authentic flavor)

The Essential Dairy:

• ½ cup high-quality feta cheese (Greek sheep’s milk feta if you can find it)

For the Dressing:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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How to Make the Perfect Greek Salad

Creating this salad is all about honoring the ingredients and letting their natural flavors shine. Here’s my step-by-step approach to building the perfect Greek salad:

1. Prep Your Vegetables: I like to wash all my produce thoroughly. For the tomatoes, I cut them into wedges or chunks depending on their size. I slice the cucumber into half-moons about ¼-inch thick. The red onion gets a thin slice treatment, and I cut the green pepper into thin strips.
2. Assemble Your Base: If using lettuce, arrange it in a large, shallow bowl. For a more authentic version, skip the lettuce and start with the tomatoes as your base.
3. Layer Your Vegetables: Add your tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and green pepper. I like to distribute them evenly rather than tossing, allowing each ingredient to be visible.
4. Add the Finishing Touches: Scatter the kalamata olives throughout the salad. Then, place the feta cheese on top – either as a large slab in the center (most authentic) or crumbled throughout.

Serving and Enjoying Your Greek Salad

The final touches can elevate your Greek salad from good to extraordinary. Here’s how I finish and serve this Mediterranean delight:

Make the Perfect Dressing:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard (if using).
2. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Remember that feta cheese already provides saltiness, so go easy on the added salt.
3. Let the dressing sit for at least 5 minutes before using to allow the flavors to meld together.

Dress and Serve: I always wait until the last moment to dress my Greek salad. This keeps everything crisp and prevents the lettuce from wilting. When you’re ready to serve, drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad and give it a gentle toss.

Serving Ideas:

• Pair with grilled chicken or lamb for a complete meal
• Serve alongside warm pita bread brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with oregano
• Accompany with a glass of crisp white wine like Assyrtiko for an authentic Greek experience
• Turn it into a complete Mediterranean feast with hummus, tzatziki, and grilled vegetables

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Tips for Greek Salad Success

Over the years, I’ve discovered a few secrets that make all the difference when preparing this classic dish:

Ingredient Quality Matters: With so few ingredients, quality really shows. I use the ripest tomatoes, the freshest cucumbers, and authentic Greek feta whenever possible.

Temperature is Key: I like to chill my vegetables but serve the salad closer to room temperature. The flavors are more pronounced when not ice-cold.

Cutting Technique: Try cutting your vegetables into similarly sized pieces for balanced bites. I prefer chunks rather than tiny dices to maintain the salad’s rustic appeal.

Make-Ahead Options: You can prepare all components up to a day ahead and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and dress just before serving.

Leftover Ideas: If you happen to have leftovers, they make an excellent addition to wraps or can be tossed with cooked pasta for a quick Greek pasta salad the next day.

This Greek salad has become my go-to recipe when I want something fresh, healthy, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Whether serving it at a summer barbecue or enjoying it as a light lunch, it never fails to impress with its vibrant colors and bold tastes.