Greek Salad is a delicious fresh salad made with feta cheese, olives and tomatoes. It’s full of Mediterranean flavours and so easy to put together. It’s ideal as an appetiser or serve it as a side dish with fish or meat dishes.
What is a Greek Salad?
Horiatiki, the traditional Greek salad is a simple side dish made from roughly chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, red onions, olives, and the classic Greek Feta cheese.
Why make Greek Salad?
If you love Mediterranean flavours you will love this salad. There is nothing complicated about the recipe, but the combination of ingredients is bigger than the sum of the parts. This is a salad that you can put together for a quick lunch and it’s also good enough to serve when you are entertaining.
What ingredients do I need to make Greek Salad?
The ingredients are simple and easily available, here is what you need:
- lettuce
- tomatoes
- cucumber
- Feta cheese
- olives
- onion
- sweet (bell) peppers
- red wine vinegar
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- olive oil
What kind of lettuce should I use in a Greek Salad?
Use crisp lettuce such as romaine or cos lettuce, and tear it into bite-sized pieces. There is no lettuce in the traditional Greek Salad recipe but I think it works well with the other ingredients and is great with the simple dressing.
What are the best tomatoes to use in this salad?
Use the best quality tomatoes you can. The tomatoes should be red and ripe and juicy. I like to use large round vine tomatoes which can be cut into nice big wedges.
What is Feta Cheese?
Feta is a brined curd cheese made from sheep’s milk or a mixture of goat and sheep’s milk. It has a firm texture that doesn’t melt when cooked. Feta adds a deliciously salty tang and provides the protein in this delicious salad.
What kind of olives should I use?
You can use any olives that you like, but I like to use Greek Halkidiki olives. They are large, oval and pale green and they get their name from the Halkidiki region of Greece where they grow.
What kind of onions should I use in the salad?
I use red onions because I love the colour, but you can use white or yellow onions. If you like you can soak the onions in vinegar to take away a little of the sharpness from the onions, but that’s not essential.
What kind of peppers should I use?
I use red, yellow or orange sweet (bell) peppers because I like the sweet taste of the ripe peppers. Green pepper is the traditional pepper for a Greek Salad so you can use those if you prefer.
I don’t have red wine vinegar, what can I substitute?
You can use lemon juice, white wine vinegar, cider vinegar or sherry vinegar instead of red wine vinegar.
What kind of olive oil should I use in Greek Salad?
Use the best extra virgin olive oil you can afford, preferably Greek olive oil. In this simple recipe, the dressing is key to bringing together the salad ingredients and good olive oil is essential for the best results.
Can I make Greek Salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients two or three hours before you plan to serve the salad. Keep them in airtight containers and keep the tomatoes separate from the other ingredients as they can release a lot of liquid. Combine the ingredients with the dressing up to an hour before serving and keep cool but not in the fridge.
Can I freeze Greek Salad?
No, this salad is not suitable to freeze. Salad ingredients contain a lot of water and will become limp and soggy if frozen and then defrosted.
Vegetarian
There are no meat products in this salad. Feta cheese is not traditionally vegetarian but you can get a vegetarian version, so be sure to check the labels.
Gluten Free
Feta cheese and the other ingredients in this salad are gluten-free.
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How do I serve Greek Salad?
Serve Greek Salad at room temperature. It is an ideal salad to serve for a casual lunch with some crusty bread and fresh butter.
Serve the salad with a savoury tart like my Mediterranean inspired Tomato Tart with Olives for a more substantial meal. Of course, it’s ideal with Greek dishes such as Moussaka and Spanikopita. And, the salty flavours of this salad are also a perfect match for simple grilled steak and chicken.
More Feta Recipes
I’m a huge fan of feta cheese, I love the creamy salty flavour and use it in many of my recipes. Here are a few you might like to try:
Beetroot Chorizo & Feta Salad is a wonderful plate of tastes and textures. The beetroot brings a sweet earthy flavour, the chorizo is crisp and spicy and the feta brings a salty, creamy luxury to this simple salad plate.
Courgette and Feta Tart is a tasty savoury tart that is a great way to use summer vegetables. It is filled with roasted courgettes (zucchini), cubes of feta cheese and flavoured with fresh basil. Ideal to serve with a crisp green salad on a summer day.
Slow Cooker Greek Baker’s Pot is a really simple and totally delicious vegetarian recipe. It’s an ideal recipe for an everyday easy dinner and it is perfect for all the family
PIN FOR LATER
Greek Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Romaine or Cos lettuce
- 2 ripe tomatoes
- 1/3 cucumber
- 115 g feta cubed or crumbled
- 45 g Greek olives
- 1 red onion
- 1 red pepper
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 120 ml extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- 1 Romaine or Cos lettuceWash dry and tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
- 2 ripe tomatoes, 1/3 cucumberWash the tomatoes and slice them into large wedges. Cut the cucumber into slices on the diagonal.
- 1 red onion, 1 red pepperRemove the core and seeds from the red pepper and cut them into slices.
- Peel the red onion and slice it thinly into circles.
- 45 g Greek olivesRemove the stones from the olives (if they have them) and slice into thick circles.
- Place the lettuce in a large salad bowl. Add the tomatoes and cucumber, and mix them together.
- 115 g fetaPlace the olives, onion and pepper over the top of the salad bowl and crumble over the feta.
Make the dressing
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 120 ml extra-virgin olive oilPour the red wine vinegar into a small bowl. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, and slowly pour in the olive oil. Whisk until combined and slightly thickened.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and serve immediately.
Steph says
I would love to visit Sicily and eat all their food
Janice Pattie says
I haven't been there Steph, but would love to go too.
Deon says
Great review as ever Janice. Very informative- not sure about the kale pesto tho? Seems more American than Mediterranean to me! I totally agree that it's easier to follow such a diet in the summer when most of the ingredients are available as opposed to the depths of winter when you want a slow cooked meal.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Deon, I see Amy has replied to you below. I was not all that struck with kale, and had only had it in broth, but some of the newer cultivars are not as tough or so strong tasting and really very good!
Nayna Kanabar says
I like the sound that this book has lots of vegetarian and vegan recipes. Nice review/
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Nayna, there are a high proportion of vegetarian and vegan recipes, plant foods are top of the Mediterranean Diet food chain.
Tracey Peach says
I don't fancy going abroad but I would love to cook more Mediterranean dishes xxx
Janice Pattie says
That's a great idea Tracey
sallyc06 says
Italy,such friendly people and they love their food, just like me!!
Janice Pattie says
Italy is my favourite Sally
maci234 says
sicily
Janice Pattie says
Good choice
Mark Davies says
Wow – so many wonderful countries, hope to goto Greece soon!
Janice Pattie says
I've never been to Greece, Mark but love their food
Kirsti Peters says
Italy as it's array of regional cuisines are vast.
Janice Pattie says
I'll come with you Kirsti!
Anonymous says
I would love to try Croatia
Janice Pattie says
One of my son's went there this year, he loved it.
laura banks says
i'd like to go to cyprus
Janice Pattie says
That sounds good, Laura
Tracy K Nixon says
Italy – I have never been and love Italian food!
Janice Pattie says
I've managed to go twice Tracy and have not been disappointed
peter campbell says
Italy for me
Janice Pattie says
Great choice, Peter
Amy Riolo says
Thank you all for the kind comments and for your great review, Janet! It is true that the Kale Pesto recipe is not traditional nor the original basil pesto recipe (which I have used in other books and videos), I felt that it was important to include because it is an easy, delicious, nutritional power house of a recipe that people can make when they want to boost their vitamin intake and basil is no longer in season. Enjoy with pleasure and health, and happy Sunday to all!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you for commenting Amy, it's really appreciated. As you can see there is lots of interest in your eating plan and the healthy recipes.
Darrell Perry says
All my friends are returning from the Greek isles, so i will have to say there 🙂
Janice Pattie says
I'm sure your friends will have some tips for you to get the best from Greek food.
maxineflossy says
I've never got round to going to Spain – I really want to visit Barcelona (and eat lots of tapas!)
Janice Pattie says
Oh that sounds good, love tapas
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
This sounds like my kind of cookbook. I am obsessed with Mediterranean flavours.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks Dannii.
Kate | The Veg Space says
Great review – looks like an excellent book and that's a lovely recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Janice Pattie says
You are welcome Kate.
Kim Neville says
Italy as italian food is my favourite
Kaci Soderstrom says
Hmm.. I wouldn't want to go abroad, but the recipes look good!
Deb Harris says
I would love to go to Italy. The country is so beautiful & the food is wonderful. Thanks for such a great giveaway.
Ruth Harwood says
Malta – my parents have just been and it's lovely 🙂
Isis1981uk says
Italy, I've never been there & there's so much history!
Kathryn MacKinnon says
Italy. I've been three times but never as a gluten free eater. They are way ahead when it comes to gluten free pasta etc so I'd love that!
Paula Readings says
Italy for me.
Heidi Roberts says
I love this book too, just got a copy to review too.
Karen Walder says
I would really like to visit Italy…..hopefully that will happen next year!
chromiumman says
Greece, as I've never been before
jana harwood says
without a doubt Sicily
Jan says
Greece, Croatia, Morocco, Lebanon, Israel, Libya, Cyprus…can I leave today?
GuruOnAMountain says
I'd love to see more of Italy.
clairew137 says
Italy.
Helen Adams says
Italy, especially the Tuscany area
mummy24 says
Definitely Italy!
Ashleigh
jane davis says
Greece because the food there always looks yummy
ben says
sicily
wjanice121 says
Rome, the City of love
Sharon Hopkinson says
Greece.
Anna Gleave says
Italy and Venice in partiular – beautiful place
Richard Randall says
I've not been to Morocco and would love to try their food.
Charlene Price says
I'd love to go to Malta again.
Anonymous says
I'd love to visit Italy, especially Rome
Louise A says
Italy!
Anonymous says
without a doubt italy
Sarah Hunt says
I would like to go to Greece as I love Greek food!
Ms Gilly Clara says
I would love to go to Italy – especially their lakes.
Alex Cracknell says
Italy, I'd love to visit Naples and Venice and enjoy the history and great food!
Fiona Mallard says
I'd love to visit Italy, I've been to most of the others
Stacey Carnell says
I have always wanted to go to Italy! Hoping to go next year <3
Emily Knight says
I'd love to go back to Turkey – have only visited certain coastal areas, and I'd love to see Istanbul!
Paul Duncan says
Italy
Claire Blaney says
Malta
kj19 says
Italy.. I been before would love to go back
weir shane says
I would love to visit sweden and taste their cusisines – leanne w
caroline walliss says
Croatia seems like an amazing place and we are going this month.x
Caroline says
We eat lots of Mediterranean food and love it, I've been lucky enough to visit a few but would love to go to Corsica. Corsica belongs to France so it sounds a bit odd that the Mediterranean country I'd love to visit would be France!
soozwales says
Cyprus
Kat Lucas says
I have always wanted to go to Italy
Milly Youngman says
I'd love to go to Italy – Rome in particular – and I'd make sure I didn't spend the whole time just eating pizza!!
Chanette Kennedy says
Croatia
Christine Dodd says
I'd go back to Italy
KIM GRIFFITHS says
Crete
dorsetsgem says
greece
Stephanie Whitehouse says
I love Greek Islands, but I'd like to go to Sardinia too
Michelle Banks says
i would love to visit Rome x
Linda says
Italy!
Janine Atkin says
id love to go to italy
Julie M says
I would love to travel Italy and try all the cuisine and wine of course 🙂
Beth Gurney says
Greece or Italy!
Elizabeth Gurney x
fozia Akhtar says
Italy
Dani Claydon says
Definitely Italy, never had the chance to visit!
Scott Mulloy says
Italy would be great
Tammy Tudor says
It has to be beautiful Italy
Kimberley Hazelton says
I would love to visit Sicily
Clare Bluett says
Italy for the food!
Theresa Parker says
Maltaxx
Kristy Brown says
I'd love to go to Greece
Kelly Smith says
Italy, it's always been my dream to go!
Charlotte Cooke says
greece i think!
samantha sugden says
Italy
Richard Tyler says
Malta
Alison says
I want to go back to Italy
Anonymous says
Italy
Katie Witherington says
Italy, spent time living in Rome but never got to explore the country as much as I would have liked to, would love to go back and travel around the South of the Country
Becky Evans says
Greece, my husband has been and he says its beautiful, I would love to go one day!
Anda says
Italy, it's been on my bucket list for years.
Angie Hoggett says
Italy, love the food!
Anonymous says
I would love to return to Greece.As a vegetarian I loved the abundance and flavours of all the meat-free dishes.
Diana S says
Would love to visit Italy 🙂
Daniel Todd says
Amazing prize I would love to visit Italy for the food
Barbara Handley says
France as I have family in the south.
sassyesque says
It would need to be Italy.
WeeWillieWilkie says
I'd love to visit Croatia
ali thorpe says
Sicily for sure.
sheridarby says
Greece and some of the Greek islands
Kerry Kilmister says
I would love to visit Italy
Jade H says
I'd like to visit Greece
Jason Nutt says
I would like to visit cyprus
Nancy Bradford says
I'd love to visit Italy x
Emma Davison says
Italy
Victoria Prince says
I'd love to visit Gibraltar, mostly for the flora and fauna 🙂
Natalie Crossan says
I'd love to visit Italy, I love Italian hospitality and especially the food x
Susan says
I'd love to visit Italy
Kiran Parry says
I would like to visit Italy
Mrs Broomfield says
I love Italy and Spain having visited both, but I'd love to go to Greece – all that feta cheese and stuffed vine leaves! Mmmm
Choclette says
I ordered a Greek salad in a cafe once. The tomatoes were straight from the fridge – hard, cold and tasteless. It put me off completely and I’ve never had it again. But you’ve made this look and sound so delicious, I think I’ll have to try and make it.
Janice Pattie says
Oh what a shame. You definitely need nice ripe tomatoes, it’s such a simple recipe that the ingredients have to be just right.
Lesley says
This is one of my favourite salad recipes, I love the simple fresh flavours. A winner every time.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Lesley. It certainly is a favourite with us too.
Rebecca - Glutarama says
Such a simple salad but I never find the time to make it myself, just enjoy it on holidays – how daft is that, now I have no excuse not to make it at home.
Janice Pattie says
Definitely need to make it, it’s so simple.
Cat says
Such a delicious salad, perfect for the warm weather with a glass of wine in the garden. I could eat this every day.
Janice Pattie says
It really is summer on a plate.
Carrie says
You really cannot beat a good Greek Salad!
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, I agree!