Greek Salad Recipe

Greek salad is refreshing, healthy and bursting with flavor. This authentic Greek salad recipe strikes the perfect balance between crisp lettuce, juicy veggies, and creamy feta cheese, especially when topped with an easy homemade Greek salad dressing recipe. You’ll make this recipe again and again.

If you have a craving for more salad, try this cucumber tomato goat cheese salad, my copycat Cheesecake Factory BBQ chicken salad, the eggplant chicken salad or my broccoli chicken salad.

Is Greek Salad Actually Greek?

In a word, yes. This salad is a popular food in Greece, where it is called “horiatiki”. Horiatiki means village or peasant salad and it is primarily eaten in the summer months. An authentic Greek salad recipe has chopped tomatoes, onions, green peppers, olives, and feta cheese. The salad is served with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkled oregano.

One major difference between the horiatiki and a classic American version is lettuce. Because lettuce does not grow during the summer months, the Greek horiatiki does not include lettuce while the American take on it does.

Is Greek Salad Healthy?

If you are looking for a healthy lunch or dinner, there are few meals healthier than this Greek salad recipe. This is thanks to the wide variety of colorful vegetables in this salad such as tomatoes, onions, cucumber on a bed of leafy greens. Feta cheese adds a punch of protein and flavor. Additionally, this salad offers satiating heart-healthy fats through olives and olive oil dressing.

What Goes with Greek Salad for Dinner?

We love this salad in the summer months as a side to the chicken kabobs. But if you are wondering what else to serve this salad with to make it a complete meal, there are several options:

• Serve your salad alongside some pita bread and humus for a vegetarian meal
• Offer the salad as a starter before the main course such as salmon
• Stuff salad into a pita or tortilla and enjoy it as a wrap

What is Greek Salad Dressing Made of?

An authentic Greek salad dressing recipe such as this one is made with a base of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Dijon mustard gives the dressing depth and added flavor profile, while sugar counterbalances the tartness of the vinegar. Add in some herbs and spices and you have made an easy Greek salad dressing.

Can you Buy Greek Salad Dressing?

If you stroll down the grocery store aisles, you are bound to find a bottle or two labeled Greek salad dressing. However, I strongly encourage you to forego the bottled version and instead make this easy Greek salad dressing. It will only take minutes and the result is well worth it. In my opinion, the dressing is what makes this the best salad recipe.

How to Make This Greek Salad Recipe

To make this simple recipe, wash and chop the cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, onion and lettuce. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, including olives and the feta cheese then drizzle with your Greek dressing. Toss to coat it fully.

Tips for Storing and Prepping this Greek Salad

It’s easy to turn this recipe into a make-ahead meal. Pre-chop your veggies, but keep them in separate airtight containers lined with paper towels to soak up excess moisture for 1-2 days before serving. You can also make the Greek dressing recipe ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container like a mason jar for 2-3 days in the fridge—just make sure to give it a shake to remix the ingredients before mixing.

Like most salads, once you have tossed your veggies with dressing, it will have a short shelf life, particularly with lettuce. If you are making a large salad and you are not sure if you will finish the entire thing, scoop smaller servings into bowls and toss with dressing. A salad without dressing should last another day or so.

How to Make Greek Salad Dressing

This Greek salad dressing recipe couldn’t be easier to make. Simply take olive oil, balsamic vinegar and high-quality Dijon mustard such as Grey Poupon and add it to a container. Top it off with sugar, oregano, salt, pepper, and freshly pressed garlic. Combine the ingredients by stirring, lidded jar or pulsing in a blender. Or, use my favorite trick and combine the ingredients in a mason jar with a lid and shake to combine.

If you’re craving Greek food, you may also enjoy:

• Tzatziki sauce
• Grilled Chicken Kabobs
• Spanakopita Triangles with Feta           
• Pita Bread 

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Greek Salad Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Greek Salad recipe is a colorful and delicious summer salad full of delicious veggies and zesty dressing. This salad dressing will become your favorite!

Author: Marina | Let the Baking Begin

Course: Appetizer, Salad

Cuisine: Greek

Keyword: greek salad, greek salad dressing

Calories: 251 kcal

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

Greek Salad Ingredients

• 4 cup chopped Romaine or red leaf lettuce
• 1 cup baby tomatoes, sliced in half
• 1 cup chopped mini or regular sweet bell peppers
• 1 cup chopped cucumbers
• 1 cup sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, chopped or whole

Greek Salad Dressing

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 fresh garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press
• 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard (I used Grey Poupon)
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp ground black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

To Make the Greek Salad Dressing

1. Combine 1/2 cup of olive oil, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 2 pressed cloves of garlic, 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp sugar, 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp Oregano and 1 tsp ground black pepper in a jar and shake to combine.

To Make the Greek Salad

1. Rinse all vegetables under running water, then spin in a salad spinner to remove extra moisture, or paper towel dry. Chop the vegetables. Add all ingredients to a large salad bowl, then drizzle half the dressing. Toss the greek salad with the greek salad dressing to coat it evenly. Then add more dressing to taste.

Nutrition Facts

Greek Salad Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 251 Calories from Fat 207

% Daily Value*

Fat 23g35%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 11mg4%

Sodium 531mg23%

Potassium 274mg8%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 3825IU77%

Vitamin C 39.4mg48%

Calcium 98mg10%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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