Greek salad is a fresh, simple and flavourful salad made with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, feta cheese and an easy homemade Greek dressing. It tastes so light, tangy, refreshing and comes together in minutes. When you want to make something quick yet satisfying, then try this classic Greek salad recipe.
Greek Salad
I enjoy making and eating salads. I have already shared a grilled chicken salad which was my all time favourite. Now this has become my favourite because it is easy to make but so delicious and fresh tasting salad.
I wanted to make authentic greek salad for a very long time. I have tasted it during my vacations a lot of time. In my place i couldn't find feta cheese that is the only reason i stayed away from it so long.
Finally hubby got me couple packs of feta cheese from Russia and i made this immediately and enjoyed it for lunch, of course i skipped the lunch since this is a complete food on its own.
About Greek Salad
Greek salad is also known as "Horiatiki salata " or "Village salad" which means this salad is a rustic mix of vegetables and plenty of feta cheese.
Traditionally it is popular in Greece because the farmers use the simple, fresh and seasonal produce vegetables from their gardens to make this salad.
And to enhance the flavour they added preserved foods like vinegar, olives and feta cheese. Its simple preparation, fresh and healthy ingredients made it a popular recipe around the world.
Similar Recipes
To make this Greek salad, start by whisking olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and oregano to create a light, herb flavoured dressing. In a bowl, add vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell pepper, olives and creamy feta cheese.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss gently and enjoy. The best part is that the salad recipe comes together in just 15 minutes which makes it perfect for busy days.
The salad gets its bright, zesty flavour from the homemade Greek dressing and it gives the classic Greek flavour. Overall, it is quick to make healthy salad which is perfect for lunch, parties or as a side for grilled meats and BBQs.
Ingredients
- Small onion : You can use regular red onion or white onion for milder flavour.
- Cherry tomatoes : Cherry tomatoes are juicy and sweet fruit that gives the salad its vibrant color and freshness.
- Cucumber : Cucumber is a refreshing and cooling vegetable that adds a beautiful crunch to the salad. Use any cucumber like English cucumber or persian cucumber.
- Bell pepper : I have used red and green bell pepper. You can also include yellow bell pepper to make it even more colorful.
- Parsley : If parsley is not available, use mint, cilantro leaves as an alternative.
- Olives : Olives adds a salty, pickled flavour that pairs perfectly with vegetables and feta cheese. Use green or black olives of your choice.
- Feta cheese : Feta cheese is a creamy and tangy cheese made from goat milk that gives the authentic Greek flavour to the salad.
- Dressing : Olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar is used in dressing.
Step by Step Pictures
For Dressing
1)Start by making the salad dressing. Take olive oil and red wine vinegar in a bowl.
2)Add in dried oregano.
3) Season with salt, black pepper and a pinch of sugar.
4)Mix this really well so it is emulsified. This is your salad dressing.
Prepare Vegetables
5)Chop bell peppers into small cubes.
6)Cut cucumber, deseed it and cut them into slices.
7)Peel onion, cut into half. slice thinly.
8)halve cherry tomatoes.
9)Chop parsley fine.
10)Grab your feta cheese, I am using creamy feta cheese.
11)Cut into small cubes. If you are using
Assembling Salad
12)Take cucumber, tomatoes and onions in a bowl.
13)Add in pitted olives.
14)garnish with parsley.
15)Add in feta cubes.
16)Drizzle the prepared salad dressing all over it.
17)Toss to combine.
18)Serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- Slightly roast the cherry tomatoes for extra flavour.
- You can use herbs like thyme, rosemary or mixed italian seasoning for added aroma.
- Deseed the cucumber and mix with dressing.
- Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best taste.
- To make the salad creamier, add a spoon of greek yogurt and mix. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Storage & Serving
Store the vegetables and salad dressing separately in an airtight container. It stays good in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Toss everything together before serving.
It is best to enjoy the Greek salad immediately. Serve this salad with grilled meats, pita bread to enjoy as a complete meal.
FAQ
Definitely ! You can make this greek salad more nutritious and healthy by adding grilled meats like chicken, prawn, fish, turkey to make it a more filling meal.
Absolutely ! You can use ricotta, mozzarella and cheddar cheese. But feta cheese gives the authentic Greek flavour and taste.
Once vegetables and dressing are tossed together, it is best to consume them immediately. Because the vegetables tend to release its moisture and the salad will become watery.
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Greek Salad Recipe (with Homemade Greek Salad Dressing)
Ingredients
- 1 small Onion peeled & sliced thinly
- 1½ cup Cherry Tomatoes halved or use normal tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium Cucumber deseeded and sliced in half moon
- ½ medium Green Bell Pepper cubed
- ½ medium Red Bell Pepper cubed
- 4 tablespoon Fresh Parsley chopped finely
- 10 no Olives pitted
- 100 grams Feta Cheese cubed
For Greek Salad Dressing
- 5 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoon Red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon Sugar or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper Powder or to taste
Instructions
- Start by making greek salad dressing. Take olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, sugar, pepper, dried oregano in a bowl and using a small whisk to combine this until it gets creamy and emulsified.
- Peel onions and slice them thinly. Halve cherry tomatoes, halve deseed and slice cucumber thin. Chop bell peppers into cubes. Crumble or chop feta cheese into cubes.
- Take cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, olives, parsley and parsley in a bowl. Drizzle salad dressing on top. Toss to combine. Serve.
Nutrition
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Mention @yummytummyaarthi or tag #yummytummyaarthi!More Recipes to Try
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Anonymous
where did u get feta cheese and red wine vinegar in nagercoil?
Aarthi
@Anonymoushubby got it from abroad. you can look online
Anonymous
hi where in nagercoil do you get cherry tomato?
Aarthi
You can find cherry tomatoes in lynns.