Fresh & Zesty Greek Salad Recipe: A Bright Summer Delight

Crisp vegetables dance with tangy feta in this classic Greek salad recipe that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.

Ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions create a vibrant palette of colors and flavors.

Each bite bursts with fresh ingredients that transport you to a sunny Greek island.

The simple yet bold combination of olive oil, oregano, and kalamata olives makes this salad sing with authenticity.

Salt and pepper balance the bright, zesty notes perfectly.

This refreshing dish serves as a delightful side or light meal that will energize your palate.

Prepare to savor a taste of Greece in every delectable forkful.

Classic Greek Salad Why It’s a Fresh Favorite

• This Greek salad comes together in mere minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or sudden hunger pangs.
• Packed with fresh vegetables, healthy olive oil, and protein-rich feta, the salad delivers a robust nutritional punch in every bite.
• Authentic ingredients like Kalamata olives and red wine vinegar transport your taste buds straight to a sunny Greek island, creating a vibrant culinary experience without complex cooking techniques.
• Minimal chopping and zero cooking required means anyone from kitchen newbies to seasoned home cooks can master this delicious recipe with ease.

Greek Salad Ingredients for Authentic Flavor

• Tomatoes: Juicy red tomatoes provide a sweet and tangy base for the salad.
• Cucumber: Crisp cucumber adds a refreshing and cool crunch to the dish.
• Red Onion: Sharp red onion brings a bold and zesty flavor profile.
• Green Bell Pepper: Crunchy green bell pepper contributes a mild, slightly sweet taste.

• Kalamata Olives: Dark Greek olives offer a rich, salty Mediterranean character.

• Feta Cheese: Creamy and tangy Greek feta adds a classic salty and rich element to the salad.

• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar: Smooth olive oil and tangy vinegar create a classic Greek dressing that ties all ingredients together.

• Dried Oregano, Salt, Black Pepper: Aromatic oregano and classic seasonings enhance the overall flavor and bring traditional Greek seasoning to the salad.

Tools for Tossing a Perfect Greek Salad

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining and tossing all salad ingredients.
• Cutting board: Perfect for chopping vegetables with ease.
• Sharp knife: Needed to slice tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and bell pepper precisely.
• Measuring spoons: Helps add the right amount of salt, pepper, and oregano.
• Salad tongs or large spoon: Great for gently mixing ingredients without breaking feta.

Directions for Assembling Classic Greek Salad

Step 1: Chop Fresh Vegetables

Start by carefully slicing crisp tomatoes into chunky wedges.

Cut cucumber into half-moon shapes.

Thinly slice red onion for a sharp bite.

Create thin rings from green bell pepper.

Drop in briny Kalamata olives for authentic Mediterranean flavor.

Step 2: Drench With Mediterranean Dressing

Generously stream extra-virgin olive oil across the vegetable medley.

Splash red wine vinegar over the colorful mix, allowing the liquid to coat every ingredient.

Step 3: Sprinkle Aromatic Seasonings

• Dried oregano
• Kosher salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Each sprinkle will enhance the salad’s robust flavor profile.

Step 4: Crown With Creamy Cheese

Layer soft, white feta cheese either in elegant slices or crumbled across the salad’s surface.

The cheese adds a tangy, creamy dimension to the fresh vegetables.

Step 5: Gently Blend Ingredients

Use a light touch to combine all ingredients.

Carefully fold the components to prevent breaking delicate feta pieces while ensuring even seasoning distribution.

Step 6: Present And Enjoy

Transfer the salad to a beautiful serving dish.

Pair with warm, soft pita bread for a complete Greek dining experience.

Best enjoyed immediately while vegetables remain crisp and vibrant.

Salad Tips for Crisp Veggies and Tangy Dressing

• Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure every bite has a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
• Refrigerate vegetables before preparing to keep the salad crisp and refreshing, especially on hot summer days.
• Choose authentic Greek feta made from sheep's or goat's milk for the most authentic and rich flavor profile.
• Since Kalamata olives and feta are naturally salty, add salt sparingly to prevent the dish from becoming too intense.
• Toss the salad with olive oil and vinegar right before serving to maintain the vegetables' crunchiness and prevent wilting.

Greek Salad Ideas and Flavor Swaps

• Mediterranean Herb Salad: Replace oregano with a mix of fresh basil, mint, and parsley for a more aromatic herb profile.
• Vegan Greek-Style Salad: Substitute feta with plant-based tofu cheese or cashew cheese crumbles, keeping the traditional vegetable base.
• Protein-Packed Greek Salad: Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or quinoa to transform the salad into a more substantial meal with extra protein.
• Low-Carb Mediterranean Bowl: Skip the traditional ingredients and use cauliflower rice as a base, maintaining the classic Greek salad seasoning and vegetable mix.

Serving Suggestions for Greek Salad Bowls

• Mediterranean Lunch Companion: Pair this vibrant salad with grilled chicken souvlaki skewers for a protein-packed meal bursting with Greek flavors.
• Picnic Perfect Platter: Pack the salad in a chilled container with extra pita bread for a delightful outdoor dining experience that captures summer's essence.
• Mezze Style Spread: Create a stunning appetizer display by surrounding the salad with hummus, tzatziki, dolmades, and warm flatbread for a true Mediterranean feast.
• Wine & Dine Delight: Complement the salad's bright flavors with a crisp, chilled white wine like Assyrtiko or a light Greek rosé for a sophisticated dining moment.

How to Store Greek Salad

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep feta separate from vegetables to prevent soggy texture.
• Before storing, drain excess liquid to maintain crispness of vegetables and prevent wilting.
• Skip freezing this salad as cucumbers and tomatoes will lose texture and become mushy when thawed.
• Gently toss the salad and add a splash of olive oil and red wine vinegar to revive flavors before serving chilled.

FAQs

• What makes Kalamata olives special in this salad?

Kalamata olives are traditional Greek olives known for their rich, fruity flavor and meaty texture. They add a distinctive, slightly tangy taste that’s crucial to authentic Greek salad.

• Can I substitute regular olive oil with extra-virgin olive oil?

Extra-virgin olive oil is recommended because it has a superior flavor and quality. Regular olive oil works, but you’ll miss the rich, peppery taste that defines a classic Greek salad.

• Why is red wine vinegar important in this recipe?

Red wine vinegar provides a sharp, acidic element that balances the richness of feta cheese and olive oil. It adds a traditional Greek flavor profile that makes the salad more vibrant and complex.

Greek Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp mediterranean greek salad delivers fresh flavors from Greece’s coastal regions. Cucumber, tomatoes, and feta combine with kalamata olives for a refreshing summer dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 4 ripe tomatoes, chopped into wedges
• 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced into half-moons
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced into rings

Proteins and Dairy:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) block of feta cheese, cut into thick slices or crumbled
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and layer crisp tomato chunks, cucumber medallions, thinly sliced red onion, verdant bell pepper rings, and briny Kalamata olives.
2. Cascade extra-virgin olive oil and robust red wine vinegar across the vegetable landscape, ensuring even distribution.
3. Enhance the medley with aromatic dried oregano, mineral-rich salt, and freshly cracked black pepper, creating a fragrant seasoning blanket.
4. Crown the salad with artisan feta cheese, either maintaining elegant whole slices or tenderly crumbling across the surface for textural intrigue.
5. Execute a delicate, precise tossing motion to integrate flavors while preserving the structural integrity of cheese and vegetable components.
6. Present immediately as a vibrant accompaniment or standalone culinary creation, ideally nestled beside warm, pillowy pita bread for a quintessential Mediterranean experience.

Notes

• Selecting high-quality ingredients transforms this salad from good to exceptional, so choose ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and authentic Greek feta for the best flavor profile.
• Marinate red onions in red wine vinegar for 5-10 minutes before adding to the salad to soften their sharp bite and mellow their intense raw flavor.
• For a gluten-free version, replace pita bread with gluten-free crackers or skip bread entirely, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Create a vegan alternative by substituting feta with plant-based cheese or tofu crumbles seasoned with nutritional yeast for a similar tangy, salty taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg