Greek Salad is a refreshing, light, crisp and flavorful salad with featuring vibrant flavors of cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, red onion, bell peppers, feta cheese, fresh basil all blended with a homemade Greek dressing. This Easy Greek Salad is great for picnics, potlucks, and outdoor barbecues, bringing a fresh burst of summer vibes to your gatherings!
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The Greek salad stands out with its unique blend of flavors, setting it apart from any other salad recipe. It is enhanced by classic Greek elements such as crumbled feta cheese and savory Kalamata olives.
The salad itself is delicious, but the real star of the show is the homemade dressing! Made with simple, natural ingredients, this dressing seamlessly combines to create a seriously flavorful addition to the salad. Each bite is marked by notes of lemon and oregano.
The unforgettable aspect of this salad lies in its perfect balance of savory and fresh flavors. Packed with feta cheese, Kalamata olives, red onions, and delightful vegetables like juicy red tomatoes, red and green peppers and crisp cucumber, this salad is not only a taste sensation but also a nutrient-packed delight for your body.
INGREDIENTS IN GREEK SALAD
For the salad, you’ll need:
- Kalamata Olives – Kalamata olives add a great salty and savory flavor, a classic element in Mediterranean cuisine. These olives can be whole, sliced, or halved. Just make sure to use pitted olives.
- Plum tomatoes
- Bell Peppers – Your bell peppers can be any color! All bell peppers are delicious in this salad – just pick your favorites.
- Red Onion – Red onions have a touch of sweetness and bitterness to them, which compliments the other ingredients in this flavorful salad wonderfully.
- Cucumber -Freshly cubed cucumber will add an immediate burst of freshness and texture to this salad.
- Feta Cheese – This is an ingredient you simply can’t skip! Greek salad wouldn’t be complete without crumbled feta cheese. Opt for authentic, salty Feta cheese. Purchase a quality block and crumble it yourself.
- Fresh Basil – Fresh basil for extra flavor if you wish.
You’ll need these simple ingredients for the homemade Greek dressing:
- Olive Oil – Use good-quality extra virgin olive oil for a classic, richer Greek flavor.
- Lemon Juice –Freshly squeezed lemon juice works best; it is what gives this salad its zesty, fresh flavor!
- Seasoning– Use kosher salt, dried oregano and freshly ground black pepper is all you need for this flavorful dressing.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH GREEK SALAD
Grilled meats, such as chicken, lamb, beef, and pork, pair well with the freshness of the Greek Salad. This versatile salad also complements other dishes like your favorite pizza, warm pita bread, or a light, meatless, and gluten-free meal. Additionally, grilled fish or shrimp can enhance the bold flavors of the salad, adding a light and fresh touch.
HOW TO MAKE GREEK SALAD AHEAD OF TIME
To make this salad ahead of time, follow one cardinal rule – do not toss the salad ingredients and dressing together until you’re ready to serve it. Coating the salad ingredients with the homemade dressing could lead to wilted and mushy ingredients.
To store the Greek dressing, place it in a glass jar in the refrigerator until needed; it remains fresh for up to 1 week. If you observe the dressing solidifying during this period, let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before giving the jar a good shake.
HOW TO STORE IT
Leftover salad should be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1-2 days. For the best results, store the salad without the dressing on it. Store the dressing separately and then dress before serving.
VARIATIONS
- If olives are too strong for you, capers are a great substitute. You can also add chickpeas or garbanzo beans, sun dried tomatoes, and artichoke hearts.
- Herbs in a salad dressing can include any of the following: dried or fresh oregano, thyme, or basil. You can also use Italian seasoning.
- Pickle the onions: To infuse more flavor, cut the red onions into 1/8-inch thick rings or slices, then soak the pieces in a red wine vinegar and honey mixture. The picking solution takes the harsh bite out of the onions and adds a pleasantly tangy taste; the process only takes 15 minutes, you can even make them a day ahead to save time.
MORE RECIPES TO TRY
- Beetroot Carpaccio with Feta
- Polish Cucumber Salad (Mizeria)
- Coleslaw Recipe
- Tuna Egg Salad
- Red Cabbage Salad with Apple, Orange and Peanuts
- Cucumber, Mint and Tomato Salad
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Happy Baking! -A
Easy Greek Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 2 plum tomatoes (cut into wedges, then cut each wedge into 2 or 3 pieces)
- 1 English cucumber sliced
- 1 red bell pepper chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1/3 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Feta cheese crumbled
- 1/3 cup pitted black Kalamata olives drained (sliced if desired)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the olive oil, oregano and lemon juice in a jar with a lid or salad dressing shaker. Season with salt and pepper to taste, shake well, and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- In a large bowl, combine quartered tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, green and red peppers. Toss gently. Add feta cheese, olives, and red onion. Pour dressing over the top and toss lightly to evenly coat. Sprinkle with basil leaves. Taste and add salt and pepper as you'd like, then serve right away.