If you’re looking for the ultimate Greek salad recipe, you’ve landed in the right place. Whether you call it a traditional Greek salad, a classic Greek salad, or Horiatiki (as the locals do in Greece), this dish is the personification of summer on a plate.
In this guide, I’m sharing my secrets for the best Greek salad dressing recipe and how to assemble a salad that would make Ina Garten or Jamie Oliver proud.
What Makes an Authentic Greek Salad?
Before we dive into the recipe for Greek salad, let's clear up a common misconception: a traditional Greek salad recipe never includes lettuce. While a Greek salad recipe with lettuce is popular in American cafes (like the Panera Greek salad recipe), the authentic village version is all about the crunch of cucumbers, the sweetness of vine-ripened tomatoes, and the creamy tang of feta cheese.
Key Ingredients for Success:
- Tomatoes: Use the best, juiciest tomatoes you can find.
- Cucumbers: For a recipe for Greek cucumber salad, English or Persian cucumbers work best because they have thinner skins.
- Feta Cheese: Always buy a block of feta in brine—never pre-crumbled!
- Kalamata Olives: The crown jewel of Mediterranean salad recipes.
The Best Greek Salad Dressing Recipe
The secret to a simple Greek salad dressing recipe is high-quality extra virgin olive oil and dried oregano. Forget the store-bought bottles; this authentic Greek salad dressing recipe takes 2 minutes to whisk together.
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar (or try a Greek salad dressing recipe with lemon for extra zest)
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
Pro Tip: For a creamy Greek salad dressing recipe, whisk in a teaspoon of Greek yogurt or a pinch of Dijon mustard to emulsify the oils!
How to Make This Easy Greek Salad Recipe
This basic Greek salad recipe serves 4 as a side or 2 as a main meal.
Instructions:
- Chop the Veggies: Cut your tomatoes into wedges and your cucumbers into thick half-moons. If you’re making a chopped Greek salad recipe, dice them into smaller, uniform cubes.
- Add the Crunch: Thinly slice half a red onion and a green bell pepper.
- The Assembly: Toss the vegetables in a large bowl with a handful of pitted Kalamata olives.
- Dress it Up: Pour your homemade Greek salad dressing over the vegetables and toss gently.
- The Feta Finish: Place a large slab of feta cheese right on top. Sprinkle with more oregano and a drizzle of olive oil.
Variations You’ll Love
While we love the classic, sometimes you want to mix it up. Here are a few fan-favorite twists:
- Greek Potato Salad Recipe: Add boiled, cooled red potatoes to the mix for a hearty Greek salad with potato salad recipe (a staple in Tarpon Springs!).
- Greek Pasta Salad: Toss these ingredients with rotini or try a Greek tortellini salad recipe for your next potluck.
- Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken for a Greek chicken pasta salad recipe or canned tuna for a quick tuna salad Greek yogurt recipe twist.
- Greek Bean Salad: Incorporate chickpeas or cannellini beans for a fiber-packed Greek bean salad recipe.
Why This is the Only Recipe You Need
Whether you are looking for an easy recipe for Greek salad for a weeknight dinner or want to recreate the Cava Greek salad recipe at home, the key is freshness. This salad is naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and packed with heart-healthy fats.
Ready to start cooking? Grab your olive oil and let's get tossing!
