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This Greek salad recipe is one of the easiest Mediterranean salads you can make at home. It’s packed with juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, sweet peppers, red onions, olives and creamy feta cheese, all tossed with a simple olive oil and lemon dressing.
It’s fresh, colorful and incredibly satisfying while still being light. Greek salad works perfectly as a quick lunch, a healthy side dish or part of a larger Mediterranean meal.
Because it uses simple fresh vegetables and a bright vinaigrette, it’s a salad you can make again and again, especially during summer when tomatoes are at their best.
Quick Recipe Summary
Greek Salad (Horiatiki Style)
• Prep time: about 15 minutes
• Fresh Mediterranean tomato cucumber salad
• Made with feta cheese, olives and olive oil dressing
• Naturally gluten-free and low carb
• Perfect with grilled fish, chicken or seafood
How to Make Greek Salad (Classic Tomato Cucumber Salad)
Greek salad is one of the most popular Mediterranean salads for a reason. It combines fresh vegetables with creamy feta cheese and a bright olive oil dressing to create something simple but incredibly flavorful.
I’ve always loved tomato cucumber salads, and since I spend a lot of time in Europe, especially Bulgaria close to Greece, I visit Greece often. One of my favorite things to eat there is Greek salad – along with grilled octopus, of course.
This salad appears on almost every menu and it’s always slightly different depending on the restaurant or region. My version keeps the traditional ingredients but uses a simple homemade vinaigrette that brings everything together beautifully.
At home I make this salad at least once or twice a week. It’s quick, refreshing and works with almost any meal.
Why You’ll Love This Greek Salad
- Fresh and vibrant Mediterranean flavors
- Ready in about 15 minutes
- Perfect as a side dish or light meal
- Naturally low-carb and gluten-free
- Made with simple ingredients
- Great with grilled meats and seafood
Ingredients for Greek Salad
Greek salad is all about fresh vegetables and good olive oil.
Vegetables
Tomatoes
Any tomatoes will work, but pink tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes have the best flavor.
Cucumbers
Persian, English or standard cucumbers all work well.
Bell peppers
Red and green bell peppers add sweetness and color.
Red onion
Thinly sliced onions give the salad a sharp flavor. If you prefer a milder taste, soak the slices in cold water for a few minutes before adding them to the salad.
Cheese
Feta cheese
Traditional Greek salad uses feta made from sheep’s milk, but cow’s milk feta works too.
Cut the cheese into cubes or add a large block on top, which is common in Greece.
Other Ingredients
Kalamata olives
These olives add a salty, rich flavor.
Oregano or parsley (optional)
A sprinkle of oregano adds classic Greek flavor.
Greek Salad Dressing
The dressing for Greek salad is a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice and vinegar.
You can either mix the dressing in a jar and shake it until smooth, or drizzle the ingredients directly over the salad.
Simple Greek Salad Dressing
• extra virgin olive oil
• lemon juice
• apple cider vinegar
• dried oregano
• garlic (optional)
• salt and black pepper
Optional additions include Dijon mustard or a small amount of honey to balance the acidity.
This dressing keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and works great on many other salads.
How to Make Greek Salad
- Wash and prepare all vegetables.
- Chop tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and onion.
- Place the vegetables in a large bowl.
- Add olives and feta cheese.
- Shake the dressing ingredients together in a jar.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad.
- Toss gently and serve.
Greek salad is best enjoyed fresh, but it can also be refrigerated for later.
Tips for the Best Greek Salad
• Use the best seasonal tomatoes you can find.
• Slice vegetables just before serving to keep them crisp.
• Use high-quality olive oil for the best flavor.
• If onions are too strong, soak them in cold water first.
Greek Salad Variations
Classic Greek salad (Horiatiki) does not include lettuce, but there are many variations.
Possible additions include:
• chopped lettuce
• capers
• chickpeas
• fresh herbs like parsley or basil
For a more filling meal, you can also add:
• grilled chicken
• quinoa
• beans
• grilled seafood
- Meal Prep – make lunch bowls by adding quinoa or beans. You can also add some meat, like Grilled chicken breast or these Grilled Pesto Chicken Kebabs.
Can You Make Greek Salad Ahead?
Yes, but it’s best served fresh.
You can prepare it a few hours in advance and keep it refrigerated. The vegetables will release some liquid as the salad sits, which slightly softens the texture.
If needed, you can refresh the salad with a little extra olive oil and lemon juice before serving.
What to serve with?
Serve with fish, seafood, chicken, steak of grilled/roasted veggies.
Here are some recipe options:
- Easy Grilled Mahi Mahi
- Grilled Octopus Recipe
- Air Fryer Steak Bites Recipe
- Crispy Air Fryer Small Potatoes
- Fagri Fish Recipe
More Salad Recipes:
- Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe
- The Best Chickpea Salad Recipe
- Easy Tomato Salad Recipe
How To Make Greek Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard, optional
- 1 tsp honey, optional
- Pinch of black pepper
Salad:
- 2 cups Tomatoes, or 2 medium tomatoes
- 1 large Cucumber
- 1/2 Red onion
- 2/3 cup Olives
- 1 red and 1 green peppers, chopped
- 1 cup Feta Cheese cubes, 5 oz
Video
Instructions
Dressing:
- Place all ingredients in a jar and close the lid.
- Shake 5-6 times, them pour on top of the salad.
For the salad:
- Combine the cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers and feta cheese in a bowl.
- Pour the dressing on top.
- Serve.
Notes
(Optional: Add 2 cups of chopped lettuce to the salad)
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Look : ” health and delicious “
Absolutely not a real “Greek” salad. Look up how to make a Horiatiki salad from actual Hellenic people. Instead of wasting a jar just pour the dressing of red wine vinegar, good Hellenic olive oil, oregano, garlic, over the chunks of fresh Roma or plum tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, and hunk of feta. Adding honey, lemon, salt, pepper flakes, mustard, and whatever else you want just ruines the salad.
Hi Oxi,
Please calm down.
Did I ever say it is an authentic recipe?
If the way I make this salad is not the proper way to do, don’t make it this way. There is no need to leave angry comments here. I. take a lot of time to make content for the blog and will not allow this. Go make the salad the way you like it!
I don’t like Roma tomatoes. I use “Pink” ones.