This traditional Greek Salad recipe is the real deal! I'm sharing everything I learned from my visit to Greece. This salad is easy, made with 7 simple ingredients and a no-fuss dressing of good olive oil and a splash of vinegar. Learn how to make it and serve it the Greek way!
I was lucky enough to visit the Greek island of Patmos and Kos a few years ago. Every part of the trip was special, but I absolutely fell in love with the people, their local shops and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. I loved observing the Greek life and partaking of the simple, finger-licking Greek food.
In one of the small family-owned restaurants we visited, I enjoyed a fresh salad that opened my eyes to what a truly traditional and uncomplicated Greek salad should be! And, that's exactly what I have tried to re-create with this simple Greek salad recipe.
Horiatiki: Greek Village Salad
In Greece, Horiatiki or Greek village salad, is served most often from early spring to the early part of fall. And it's truly the best use of the season's quality produce including juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell peppers, and onions.
Quality Greek kalamata olives and creamy feta cheese, made from sheep’s milk, are a must in this salad. And the cheese is never crumbled, but served in large chunks or blocks crowning the beautiful fresh salad!
The dressing is as simple as they come, a splash of good extra virgin olive oil and citrus (a little red wine vinegar or lemon juice).
Greek salad ingredients
Horiatiki, the real deal traditional Greek salad consists of a few simple ingredients: tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onions, olives, and blocks of creamy feta cheese. The vegetables are typically cut into large chunks, and there is no lettuce or other fillers added. A dash of kosher salt and dried oregano to season. And the dressing is typically a drizzle quality extra virgin olive oil and vinegar (I typically use red wine vinegar).
Ingredient notes
- Tomatoes - Roma tomatoes or vine-ripe tomatoes will work well in this salad. Choose Perfect ripe tomatoes that are somewhat firm but yielding slightly to the touch.
- Cucumbers- I prefer English cucumbers which are seedless and tend to be sweeter in taste. Choose firm, smooth-skinned cucumbers.
- Onions- I like red onions in this salad. And if you want to take the edge off, soak your sliced onions in a solution of iced water mixed with vinegar for a bit before adding them to the salad (I do this in the video below).
- Olives- Greek kalamata olives are the ones to use here, but black olives will work also.
- Bell peppers- Green bell peppers are typically used. Choose firm and smooth looking green bell pepper. No other colored bell peppers are used in a traditional Greek salad.
- Creamy feta cheese - If at all possible, use quality Greek feta made from sheep’a milk. Never crumble the feta, cut it into large chunks and add it on top of the salad.
- Do not add lettuce or other leafy fillers.
Greek salad dressing
Like I mentioned earlier, horiatiki salad is simply seasoned with a dash of salt, and maybe some dried oregano. It is typically dressed with nothing more than good extra virgin olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar. Very basic and elegant. But sometimes, if I have some ladolemono dressing in my fridge, I will use it on this salad instead.
I recommend a good tasting bold olive oil for this recipe like Greek Early Harvest EVOO or our Spanish hojiblanca EVOO, both have a slight peppery finish. But, if your tastebuds lean toward a milder-tasting olive oil, you might like to try our Italian Nocellara EVOO.
A few tips for how to make the best Horiatiki:
If you're wondering how to put this salad together, it could not be any simpler! Here are a few tips from my Greek friends on how to prepare and serve this salad:
- Cut the vegetables into large slices or chunks. The base ingredients of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and onions are typically cut in large slices or chunks and served in a bowl (or in a small bowl for each individual).
- Use pitted kalamata olives or black olives and assemble them on top of your vegetables.
- Season with a dash of kosher salt and dried oregano. I like to finish with a bit more dried oregano at the end.
- Drizzle with good extra virgin olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar. OR, place bottles of oil and vinegar on the table so that each person can dress the salad to their liking.
- Add blocks of feta (never crumbled feta) on top.
- Serve immediately!
Serve it with
This vibrant salad full of color and flavor can easily work as a side dish to complement just about any entree you'll find on this site. If you're looking for a way to serve this salad as a snack or appetizer, try these easy Greek salad skewers.
Here are some ideas for serving Greek salad:
- Chicken: Chicken Gyros; Chicken Souvlaki; or, a less obvious but perfect choice, Grilled Harissa Chicken. And for soup and salad night, I like to start with this salad before something like a warm bowl of chicken soup.
- Lamb: Greek burgers, Lamb Chops, or Lamb Meatballs With Caramelized Onions
- Fish: Baked Cod, Grouper, Lemon garlic Salmon, or Salmon Burgers
- Vegetarian Entrees: Spanakopita, Greek Green Beans, or Briam.
This salad is best enjoyed fresh. But if you have any leftovers, store it in a tight lid container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
More salad recipes to try:
Featured in this recipe
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Traditional Greek Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium red onion
- 4 Medium juicy tomatoes
- 1 English cucumber (hot house cucumber) partially peeled making a striped pattern
- 1 green bell pepper cored
- Greek pitted Kalamata olives a handful to your liking
- kosher salt a pinch
- 4 tablespoon quality extra virgin olive oil I used Early Harvest Greek olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Blocks of Greek feta cheese do not crumble the feta, leave it in large pieces
- ½ tablespoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Cut the red onion in half and thinly slice into half moons. (If you want to take the edge off, place the sliced onions in a solution of iced water and vinegar for a bit before adding to the salad. I do this in the video).
- Cut the tomatoes into wedges or large chunks (I sliced some into rounds and cut the rest in wedges).
- Cut the partially peeled cucumber in half length-wise, then slice into thick halves (at least ½" in thickness)
- Thinly slice the bell pepper into rings.
- Place everything in a large salad dish. Add a good handful of pitted kalamata olives.
- Season very lightly with kosher salt (just a pinch) and a bit of dried oregano.
- Pour the olive oil and red wine vinegar all over the salad. Give everything a very gentle toss to mix (do NOT over mix, this salad is not meant to be handled too much).
- Now add the the feta blocks on top and add a sprinkle more of dried oregano.
- Serve with crusty bread.
Video
Notes
- Leftovers? You can refrigerate leftovers for 2 nights or so.
- Another dressing option: if you've made my ladolemono Greek Dressing (which is made of lemon juice and olive oil), you can use a few tablespoons on this salad.
- Visit our shop to browse our olive oils, spices and more!
Nutrition
*This post appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2019 and has been recently updated with new information and media for readers benefit.
I really love everything about this salad! So refreshing!
Yes! I also love that you can serve it with just about anything! Thanks, Toni!
This is now my new go-to salad. It's so delicious and perfect every time!
Definitely one of our go-tos as well! Thanks, Lauren!
I was so happy that I had all the things to make this salad for lunch today! So dang delicious, and easy too!
This is like one of my favorite salads at the moment! So quick and easy to make and so delicious! Green bell pepper, red onion and fetta combination is a bomb! I eat it almost every day!
I'm with you, Iryna! Thanks so much!
I may be repeating myself, but this is the best. Simple, healthy, and delicious.
Thank you.
So glad! Thank you
Can't wait to try that Greek salad recipe of yours. Looks yummy and fantastic.
I hope you love it!!
We have this salad frequently. We like to add anchovies and pepperoncici peppers served with bread and yogurt.
That sounds yummy, Jeff! Thanks for sharing!
What do I need to look for in good feta cheese? I have only found one grocery store in my town that carries the brick of cheese. I don"t like the flavor of the crumbled. I have found some on line, but some are out of my price range. Would you please recommend a good one for a novice like myself. Also, my husband and I love your recipes! He has never spent as much time in my kitchen with me, until I started cooking your recipes! And we've been married over 30 years!
Thank you!
Hi there. We use different kinds of feta here. And like you mentioned, feta sold in blocks tastes better to me than already crumbled feta. I don't have a specific kind to recommend, unfortunately, but I do prefer feta blocks that are a bit more on the creamy side (not too salty or dry.)
This is the perfect late summer salad. The best tomatoes are from July through September where I live. If the tomatoes are the star, I want fresh vine ripened. I made this for a group lunch and everyone loved it.
I totally agree! We have TONS of tomato-filled dishes that time of year!! Thanks, Debra!
I'm loving this salad. It is crisp and flavorful. A fabulous complement to any meal, even my breakfast!
Im Greek and i think this salad is excellent and truly greek. Like my granny make it!
That's wonderful to hear, Irene! Thank you so much for sharing
I just made this salad today -- and it's delicious! Such a simple salad, but it tastes so fresh 🙂
Thank you for sharing this!
So glad to hear it.
This looks delicious! I'm putting it on my menu plan for this week.
I know you'll love this one!
GREAT salad! Wouldn't change a thing.
Need to add the ‘Louis Pappas recipe for Greek Potato Salad’ Tarpon Springs, FL ; which is served in the bottom of the bowl with the rest of the salad arranged over the top ! A meal!
Hi, nicely written article. It makes we want to visit Greece again. I believe the variety of thyme (oregano) used is important for the traditional version. The one they used in Greece is the Conehead thyme that is slightly peppery and very fragrant. I was able to collect some this summer and can enjoy again the full flavor of the salad. It really makes a difference.
You are right, Thomas. It does make a difference to have the right variety of oregano. Lucky that you were able to grab some this summer!
Thank you for this recipe. I would like to make this for about 25 people. How would I calculate the ingredients? Thank you
Hi Renee, thanks for the great question. There is a way to simply multiply the recipe as the ingredients are simple and there is no cooking required. This recipe serves 6 people, so if you make something like 4 to 5 times the amount, you should have enough.
Excellent!! Truly Greek
Yes! Hope you enjoy!
Great summer salad. Making it again for the 4th. Thank you.
Yes it is! Glad you like it!
This is truly delicious!! Fresh, light and SO tasty!! I have made it three times already!! Thanks for the recipe!
My pleasure, Jodie! Thanks for taking the time to share!