Origin of Greek Salad
Greek salad, also known as Horiatiki salad, has been a staple in Greek cuisine for centuries. People in ancient Greece made a similar dish called “Ladera” with vegetables and olive oil, and we can trace its origins back to that time.
Food historians believe that someone created the modern Greek salad we know today in the early 20th century. At that time, they made a simple dish with only tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and feta cheese. However, as time passed, the salad evolved to incorporate additional ingredients such as bell peppers, olives, and herbs.
It has since become a popular dish around the world, and it’s easy to see why. It’s healthy, delicious, and versatile, making it a perfect side dish or a light meal on its own. People enjoy it in many different variations today, and it has become a popular dish in Mediterranean cuisine.
Ingredients of Greek Salad
Let’s break down the ingredients of Greek salad that we are going to use to make this recipe.
🍅 Tomatoes: Take two large, juicy tomatoes and give them a good chop. You want those vibrant red chunks bursting with flavor.
🥒 Cucumber: Grab a big, crisp cucumber and chop it up. We’re talking bite-sized pieces that add a refreshing crunch.
🧅 Red Onion: Slice up a small red onion into thin, delicate pieces. These will give our dish a hint of sharpness.
🌶️ Green Bell Pepper: Chop up a lively green bell pepper. It adds color and a mild, fresh flavor.
🍶 Kalamata Olives: Pit about half a cup of those gorgeous Kalamata olives. These little gems are going to bring some tangy and briny goodness.
🧀 Feta Cheese: Crumble up a delightful 4 ounces of feta cheese. It’s creamy, slightly tangy, and will make your taste buds dance.
Dressing of Greek Salad
The dressing for the Greek salad can easily be made with the following ingredients: Make Sure to follow the instructions carefully.
🍶 Olive Oil: Pour in a quarter cup of extra-virgin olive oil. It’s going to coat everything in silky richness.
🍋 Lemon Juice: Squeeze out two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. That zesty kick will wake up all the flavors.
🍷 Red Wine Vinegar: Add two tablespoons of red wine vinegar. It’s like a little party for your taste buds.
🌿 Oregano: Sprinkle in a teaspoon of dried oregano. It’s like a fragrant herb that brings a touch of the Mediterranean.
🧂 Salt and Pepper: Season to your liking with a pinch of salt and pepper. This is where you make the magic happen – balancing all the flavors just right.
Now, toss everything together like you’re mixing a symphony of tastes and textures. Let the ingredients mingle, and when you take a bite, you’ll experience a delightful dance of fresh, tangy, and savory notes.
How to make the dressing for Greek Salad?
Well, dressing is the most important part of making a salad. It is very easy to make the dressing for the Greek salad you just have to follow the given instructions and then follow the recipe on the recipe card.😊
🥄 Mix Oil and Liquids: Get a small bowl. Pour in 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tbsp of lemon juice, and 2 tbsp of red wine vinegar.
🌿 Add Flavor: Sprinkle in 1 tsp of dried oregano. This gives a nice Greek taste.
🧂 Season: Put in a bit of salt and pepper. Just a little at first. You can taste and add more later.
🥄 Mix Well: Use a spoon to mix everything together. Make sure the oil and liquids combine nicely.
👅 Taste Test: Try a bit with your finger. If it needs more salt, pepper, or even a touch more lemon juice, you can add it now. Mix again.
🥗 Pour Over Salad: Once it tastes good to you, drizzle this tasty mix over the chopped veggies, olives, and feta cheese.
🍽️ Gentle Toss: Gently mix everything together so that the dressing covers all the pieces. Be careful not to smash the veggies or cheese.
Hope this makes it super easy for you to prepare the dressing!
Greek Salad Recipe
Course: SaladsCuisine: MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes5
minutes150
kcal200
grams15
minutesGet a taste of Greece with our fresh and healthy Greek salad recipe! Ready in minutes. Try it today and enjoy the best salad recipe.
Ingredients
2 large ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 large cucumber, chopped
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Start by washing and chopping the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and onion. Make sure to chop the vegetables into bite-size pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped vegetables, olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables and toss everything together until well combined.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice depending on your taste preference.
- Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with a few extra pieces of feta cheese, olives, and a sprinkle of oregano.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious and healthy Greek salad!
Notes
- The Greek salad recipe mentioned above can yield enough to serve four people as a side dish, although the serving size can vary. If you want to make a larger batch, you can simply increase the quantities of the ingredients accordingly.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Note: These are just approximate values, calculated by nutritional calculators. If you change the ingredients these values may change.
| 150 | 10g | 10g | 7g |
| Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
➤ Show Full Nutrition Label
Nutrition Facts
4 servings per container
Serving Size200g
- Amount Per ServingCalories150
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
10g
16%
- Total Carbohydrate
10g
4%
- Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
- Protein 7g 15%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Greek Salad
You can perfect your Greek salad with these easy and powerful tips, ensuring a tasty masterpiece every time. I personally follow these tips for a better outcome.
🍅 Use ripe, juicy tomatoes: Ripe tomatoes are the key ingredient in this recipe, so choose firm ones, but still yield to pressure. If you can’t find good quality tomatoes, you can use cherry tomatoes instead.
🧀 Use high-quality feta cheese: Feta cheese is the most important ingredient in this salad, so use good quality feta cheese that is creamy and tangy.
🥗Don’t overdo the dressing: The dressing is simple but flavorful. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much dressing can make the salad soggy.
❄️ Chill the salad before serving: It will taste best if you chill it, so keep it in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
🍤 Add the dressing just before serving: It’s best to add the salad dressing just before serving to prevent the vegetables from becoming too soggy.
🍽️ Customize your salad: You can add other ingredients to your salad, such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas to make it more filling.
Serving Suggestions for Best Greek Salad
Greek salad is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to help you enjoy this salad:
🍖 As a side dish: Greek salad makes a great side dish for grilled meats, fish, or tofu. You can also serve it with pita bread or other Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
🍗 As a main course: It can be turned into a satisfying main course by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas. It’s a great option for a healthy and filling lunch or dinner.
🎉 As a party platter: You can also serve it as part of a party platter with other Mediterranean-inspired dishes like hummus, tabbouleh, and falafel.
🌯 In a wrap: You can wrap it in a tortilla or pita bread for a quick and easy lunch on the go.
How to Store Greek Salad for Later?
Greek salad is best served fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for a day or two. Here are some tips for storing it:
🥗 Keep the salad and dressing separate: If you’re storing it for later, it’s best to keep the salad and dressing separate. Store the salad in an airtight container and the dressing in a separate container. This will help to prevent the salad from getting soggy.
🥑 Don’t add the avocado until serving: If you’re adding avocado to your Greek salad, it’s best to add it right before serving to prevent it from turning brown.
❄️ Store in the refrigerator: Store your Greek salad in the refrigerator at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth.
📆 Consume within 2 days: It is best consumed within 2 days of making it. After that, the vegetables may become wilted and the flavors may not be as fresh.
Overall, it is best enjoyed fresh, so it’s a good idea to only make as much as you plan to eat. However, if you do have leftovers, follow these tips to store them properly and enjoy them later.
My Advice
To make a perfect Greek salad, it’s important to choose high-quality ingredients. Use the freshest vegetables and herbs you can find, and opt for high-quality feta cheese and extra-virgin olive oil. Make sure to chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces for easy eating, and season the salad generously with salt, pepper, and oregano. You can add a splash of fresh lemon juice to the salad for extra flavor. To achieve the best results, let the salad marinate in the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Greek salad is a healthy dish. It’s low in calories, high in fiber and nutrients, and packed with fresh vegetables and herbs
Yes, Greek salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a day or two. Just make sure to keep the dressing separate until ready to serve.
Yes, you can make Greek salad without feta cheese if you prefer a dairy-free or vegan option. Simply omit the cheese or substitute it with a vegan cheese alternative.
People traditionally make Greek salad using chopped romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce, but you can use any type of lettuce or greens that you prefer.
Yes, you can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or other meats to your Greek salad to make it more filling and satisfying.
Typically, people dress Greek salad with a simple vinaigrette consisting of extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs such as oregano and basil.
Victoria Cornell is an experienced entrepreneur and blogger. She loves to write about a variation of topics including, motherhood, recipes and mindset and manifestation!
