If you’re craving a vibrant, refreshing dish bursting with Mediterranean sunshine, this Greek Salad Recipe is your new go-to. It’s a perfect balance of juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and tangy feta cheese, all brought together with a lively homemade dressing that sings with garlic, oregano, and red wine vinegar. Whether you want a light lunch or a colorful side for your dinner, this Greek Salad Recipe delivers that authentic, wholesome flavor that feels like a warm hug from Greece itself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Greek Salad Recipe lies in its simplicity and the freshness of each ingredient. The combination is straightforward but each component lends something vital—whether it’s the crunch, the creaminess, or the zing that keeps every bite exciting.
- 1 lb. Cherry or Grape Tomatoes: Choose ripe, juicy tomatoes for a burst of natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- 1 Hot House Cucumber: Adds a crisp and refreshing texture that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
- 1/4 cup Red Onion (sliced): Thinly sliced to introduce a mild, slightly sharp bite without overpowering the salad.
- 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives: These deep purple gems bring a salty, briny depth that is classic to Greek cuisine.
- 5 ounces Feta Cheese (block cut into squares): Choose a good-quality feta that is creamy yet crumbly to add the perfect tangy richness.
- 1/3 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: This golden liquid enriches the salad and melds the flavors together beautifully.
- 3 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar: Provides the essential acidic kick that balances the oil and cheese.
- 2 Garlic Cloves: Minced finely for a pungent aromatic layer in the dressing.
- 1 teaspoon Oregano: Dried oregano infuses a classic Mediterranean herb flavor that’s indispensable here.
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Salt: Adjust to taste; it enhances all the fresh flavors brilliantly.
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper: Adds just a hint of warmth to round out the seasoning.
How to Make Greek Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Produce
Start by washing your cherry or grape tomatoes and slicing the hot house cucumber into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onion to avoid an overpowering sharpness but keep that lovely crunch. The freshness of your vegetables really sets the tone for this salad.
Step 2: Combine the Key Ingredients
In a large bowl, add your tomatoes, cucumbers, sliced onions, and Kalamata olives. Gently toss them together to distribute the textures and flavors evenly. This step is the foundation of your Greek Salad Recipe—building layers of color and taste.
Step 3: Prepare the Dressing
Whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. This is where the magic happens—creating a dressing that is zesty and herbaceous yet smooth enough to coat every ingredient lovingly.
Step 4: Dress the Salad
Pour your dressing over the mixed vegetables and toss gently but thoroughly. You want every bite to carry that delightful balance of acidity and richness. Finally, add the cubed feta cheese on top, leaving it as distinct creamy pockets of flavor rather than crumbled through the salad.
How to Serve Greek Salad Recipe
Garnishes
For extra charm and an added layer of flavor, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or a light dusting of dried oregano over the top just before serving. A drizzle of more extra-virgin olive oil can add a glossy finish that looks as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This Greek Salad Recipe pairs beautifully with grilled meats like lamb or chicken, pita bread for scooping, or even as a fresh counterpoint to heavier dishes like moussaka. It’s perfect for summer barbecues or as a quick weekday accompaniment.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your Greek Salad layered in clear glass jars for a picnic or lunchbox treat, or arrange it artistically on a large platter topped with whole olives and feta slices. Presentation can turn a simple salad into a show-stopping centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Greek salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To keep ingredients from getting soggy, store the dressing separately and combine just before serving.
Freezing
Because of the fresh vegetables and cheese, freezing this Greek Salad Recipe is not recommended as it will alter the texture and flavor significantly.
Reheating
This salad is designed to be served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary. If you prefer, take the salad out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors mellow and the olive oil loosen up.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese instead of feta?
Feta is traditional because of its distinctive tangy and salty flavor, but you could experiment with halloumi or goat cheese for a similar creamy texture. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile will change.
Is this Greek Salad Recipe vegan?
The classic version includes feta cheese, which is not vegan. However, you can easily make it vegan by using a plant-based feta alternative or omitting the cheese entirely.
What’s the best way to slice the cucumber?
For this salad, it’s best to cut the cucumber into bite-sized chunks rather than rounds so that every forkful includes a mix of textures without too much crunch from large pieces.
Can I add avocado to this salad?
Absolutely! Slices of ripe avocado add creaminess and richness that complement the tangy feta and acidic dressing perfectly. Just add it right before serving to avoid browning.
How long does the salad stay fresh after dressing?
Once dressed, the salad is freshest within 3 to 4 hours. Beyond that, the vegetables start to release their water and can become soggy, so it’s best to dress it shortly before eating.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely hope you give this Greek Salad Recipe a try—it’s one of those dishes that never gets old and always feels like a mini-vacation on your plate. Fresh, flavorful, and easy to make, it’s a beautiful way to bring a little bit of Greece into your kitchen any day of the week.
Print
Greek Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic Greek Salad is a refreshing, vibrant mix of juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, tangy red onion, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese. Dressed with a zesty blend of extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and oregano, this salad is perfect as a light appetizer or a side dish to any Mediterranean meal.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 lb. Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
- 1 Hot House Cucumber
- 1/4 cup Red Onion (sliced)
Other Salad Components
- 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives
- 5 ounces Feta Cheese (block cut into squares)
Dressing
- 1/3 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash the cherry or grape tomatoes and slice the hot house cucumber into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onion and set all aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Add Olives and Feta: Add the Kalamata olives and feta cheese cut into squares to the bowl with the prepared vegetables.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic cloves, oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake well until all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together until the vegetables, olives, and feta are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Serve the Greek salad immediately or chill for a short time to allow flavors to meld before serving. Enjoy as a refreshing appetizer or accompaniment to your meal.
Notes
- Use a block of feta cheese for the best texture instead of pre-crumbled feta.
- Adjust salt carefully as feta and olives are naturally salty.
- For a more robust flavor, let the salad sit for 15-20 minutes before serving.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or mint for extra brightness if desired.
