Authentic Greek Salad

This is our Authentic Greek Salad, a cherished recipe from our childhood in Greece, destined to bring a touch of Mediterranean magic to your kitchen. Traditionally called horiatiki salata, this is simplicity at its best: fresh but humble ingredients, no lettuce as a filler, and a simple dressing with lots of flavor. The quality of its ingredients makes this salad sing. It’s so important to use seasonal and local tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sweet peppers. The crowning glory is the two generous, tangy wedges of authentic Greek feta cheese — never crumbled or diced. Each bite is a feast for the senses, capturing the essence of summer. This salad looks, smells, and tastes like a sun-drenched day on the Greek coast.

What stands out

So often the simplest purest ingredients are the best. And this Authentic Greek Salad is the way to highlight the bounty of summer. This recipe will be your go-to salad during the hot summer. The prep is really minimal just a few minutes to slice the vegetables and whisk together the dressing — and feel free to embrace the rustic style of the dish by slicing and dicing however you feel. It’s casual but elegant and the simple, herby dressing brings it all together. Serve this as a simple weeknight side dish or family-style on a beautiful platter for guests.

How to Prepare Authentic Greek Salad

Use a sharp knife to slice or dice the fresh tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and onion.

Add all the cut vegetables to a large bowl and then add the kalamata olives.

Season to taste with salt dry oregano, olive oil, and red wine vinegar, and then toss well.

Add two chunks of feta cheese on top of the salad.

Finally, add an extra drizzle of oil on top and enjoy!

Kitchen tip

You can find any good-quality brined white cheese or feta at any European deli or grocery store, behind the deli counter. Always buy it in a big fresh block or in brine. You can also ask the person behind the deli counter to give you a small sample. Please do not buy anything pre-crumbled.

Swaps

1. We used heirloom tomatoes in this Authentic Greek Salad, but you can use whatever tomato variety you have on hand; even small cherry tomatoes will be. Just be sure they’re in season and local for the best and freshest taste.
2. You can also add in additional herbs, such as dill, or parsley here as well.
3. Feel free to add a squeeze or two of fresh lemon juice to the salad dressing for another bright flavor.

Serve it with

• Serve this beautiful Authentic Greek Salad with a pile of warm, fresh pitas.
• This salad is as a side dish for a Greek-inspired main dish, such as lamb skewers, our Chicken Souvlaki Skewers or Greek Chicken Gyros.
• If you want to recreate the Greek seaside vibes, serve this alongside seafood, such as Branzino or Seafood Salad.
• You can’t go wrong pairing this with Greek Potatoes with Feta or Greek Lemon Potatoes.

Questions

what type of feta cheese is best in this Authentic Greek Salad recipe?

A good-quality brined white cheese or feta is best. We like to buy a big, fresh block from a European deli or grocery store, behind the deli counter. It should be in brine. Please do not use anything that’s pre-crumbled, it will just not have the same high-quality taste.

can we make this recipe ahead of time?

You can have all your ingredients chopped up to a couple of hours before serving and then toss it together when you’re ready to serve. The dressing can certainly be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to mix.

do we have to use heirloom tomatoes?

Not at all! Use whatever fresh, local tomato variety you have access to.

how should we serve this?

You can serve this salad as a side dish to your main protein, or serve it family-style on a big platter for a stunning presentation.

can we add a protein to this Authentic Greek Salad?

Yes, you could certainly toss in some chickpeas, cubed tofu, or grilled shrimp.

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

• 3 tomatoes, heirloom
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 small bell pepper, any color, sliced
• ½ small onion, red or white
• ⅓ cup Kalamata olives
• ¼ cup olive oil, extra virgin
• salt, to taste
• 1 teaspoon dry oregano
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 chunks Feta cheese

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups + Spoons
• Redmond Real Salt
• Liquid Measuring Cup
• Nakiri Knife
• Cutting Board

Method

1. In a large bowl, add the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and olives. Season to taste with salt, dry oregano, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. Toss well.
2. Add two chunks of feta cheese on top of the salad, and measure feta with your heart.
3. Add an extra drizzle of oil on top and enjoy!
4. Note: you can find any good-quality brined white cheese or feta at any European deli or grocery store, behind the deli counter. Always buy it in a big fresh block or in brine. You can also ask the person behind the deli counter to give you a small sample. Please do not buy anything pre-crumbled. Costco has tubs of fresh feta if you're looking for other alternatives. You can use any white cheese sold in brine, or feta, that you love most.