Appetizers & Starters > Salads & Cold Starters > Leafy Salads > Greek Salad

Classic Greek Salad (Horiatiki Salata)

A refreshing and authentic Greek salad, perfect as a light lunch or side dish. This recipe captures the true essence of Horiatiki Salata with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
0 minutes
Servings
4
Ingredients
  • 2 large, ripe Tomatoes
  • 1 medium Cucumber
  • 1/2 medium Red Onion
  • 1/2 medium Green Bell Pepper
  • 1/2 cup, pitted Kalamata Olives
  • 4 oz, block Feta Cheese
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper

Preparation

Begin by washing all the vegetables thoroughly. This ensures a clean and fresh salad.

Chopping the Vegetables

Cut the tomatoes into wedges, the cucumber into thick slices, and the red onion into thin half-moons. Dice the green bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. The size of the vegetables should be relatively uniform for a pleasant eating experience.

Assembling the Salad

In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, green bell pepper, and Kalamata olives. Gently toss the vegetables together to ensure they are evenly distributed.

Adding the Feta

Place the block of feta cheese on top of the vegetables. Do not crumble it; the feta is traditionally served as a single piece. This allows each person to break off their desired amount.

Dressing the Salad

Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar over the salad. Sprinkle with dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. The quality of the olive oil is crucial to the overall flavor of the salad. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.

Serving

Serve immediately. Greek salad is best enjoyed fresh and does not store well. Enjoy this simple yet flavorful salad as a side dish or a light meal.

← Classic Caprese Salad Deconstructed Greek Salad Skewers →

FAQ

  • Can I add lettuce to this Greek salad?

    Traditionally, authentic Greek salad (Horiatiki) does not contain lettuce. This recipe sticks to the classic ingredients.
  • Can I use different types of olives?

    Kalamata olives are the most traditional and offer the best flavor for Greek salad. However, you can use other types of olives if you prefer.
  • How long will the Greek salad last?

    Greek salad is best served immediately. The vegetables will become soggy if stored for too long.
  • Can I prepare the ingredients ahead of time?

    Yes, you can chop the vegetables ahead of time, but store them separately and assemble the salad just before serving to prevent sogginess.