Best Greek Salad Recipe
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This is the Greek salad recipe we’ve been making for years, and it remains the best we’ve tried. It’s the perfect recipe for enjoying fresh summer veggies. You will LOVE this refreshing and delicious side dish!
You might think the title is an exaggeration, but if anything, it understates just how good this Greek salad is. I’ve been making this version for years, and it’s still the one I come back to every single time. It stays true to the classic, with one small twist in the dressing that makes it truly stand out.
What really sets this salad apart comes down to a few simple choices. I always reach for cherry tomatoes when I can—their sweetness makes a noticeable difference—and I never skip the fresh herbs, which bring everything to life. They add a brightness and depth that dried herbs just can’t match.
And then there’s the Greek salad dressing. I use a combination of two pantry vinegars, a splash of brine from the feta, good olive oil, and a few favorite herbs to tie it all together. It’s bold, balanced, and so good it practically begs to be spooned over everything in the bowl.
Traditional Greek salad ingredients
If you’ve ever wondered what’s in a Greek salad, you’ll be happy to know that it’s made with simple ingredients so you can whip up this salad in no time flat.
- Tomatoes. These can make or break the salad. If it’s the height of summer when tomatoes are juicy and sweet, go ahead and use full-sized tomatoes. If it’s spring, fall, or winter, use cherry tomatoes.
- Bell peppers. Most restaurant-style Greek salad will have green bell peppers, but I personally prefer a mix of colors.
- Cucumbers. Both English cucumbers and mini cucumbers work. In a pinch, you could use field cucumbers, but they are not typically as crunchy. Crisp cucumbers work best in a Greek salad.
- Red onion. Make sure it is thinly sliced so it’s not over-powering.
- Feta cheese. The star of salad! I prefer the style that is packed in brine so I can use some of it in the dressing.
- Kalamata olives. These salty black olives are delicious. I like to leave them whole as we’re big olive fans.
What to serve with Greek salad?
On a hot summer day, this Greek side salad goes well with some grilled chicken or lamb burgers. In the winter, I often opt for baked chicken Breasts or baked chicken thighs. That combination of this fresh salad with the chicken is incredible and you really don’t need anything else for dinner.
Traditional Greek Salad Recipe
Ingredients
The Dressing
- ¼ cup of the best-quality olive oil you have
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of the feta brine (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 clove garlic (very finely minced)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh is best)
The Greek Salad
- 2 bell peppers (chopped)
- 1 English cucumber (chopped)
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes (cut in half)
- ¼ small red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup feta cheese (crumbled or cut into small pieces – see notes)
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives
Instructions
- To make the dressing, whisk the olive oil, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, feta brine, dill, oregano, sea salt, garlic, and lemon juice in a medium-sized bowl.¼ cup of the best-quality olive oil you have, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon of the feta brine, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, 1 clove garlic, 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Cut all the veggies so that they are roughly the same size. Add the bell peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and olives to a large bowl.2 bell peppers, 1 English cucumber, 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, ¼ small red onion, ½ cup feta cheese, ½ cup pitted kalamata olives
- Pour the dressing over the top and toss to coat. Serve right away.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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I have been making this recipe for years! It is the best Greek salad recipe of all time!
As deliciously refreshing as it is colorful! 🙂 Using the feta brine in the dressing very clever!
Thank you! 😊 I’m so glad you enjoyed it—the feta brine really does add that extra punch of flavor!
So colorful and refreshing! Comes together quickly … and deliciously; using the feta brine in the dressing great idea!
Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Quick, colorful, and delicious is always a win—and the feta brine trick really does add that perfect touch!
Summery and crunchy! I like the tip to add feta brine to the dressing. Thanks for sharing!
I’m happy you liked it! The feta brine trick is such an easy way to pack in extra flavor — glad you thought so too!
This was such a great salad and didn’t even need lettuce! The dressing was absolutely amazing. I opted out of the olives, but I think adding the feta brine to the dressing added the perfect additional saltiness. YUM!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Glad you gave the feta brine a go — I love that trick to boost the flavor.
Great recipe. Tasty
Delicious and versatile. I detest prepping veggies for anything, but especially salad greens. That’s what I love about this salad, no salad greens! It’s delicious and fresh tasting, plus I think it’s even better the 2nd day. We eat it fresh the first day, always wonderful. Day 2 we use it as a topper for either salad greens or a combination of brown rice and quinoa (hot or cold). If there’s any left by the 3rd day, I add some cold grilled chicken or tuna to make a salad with more protein.
This is wrong for a Horiatiki salad.
Delicious Greek Salad recipe! It is one of the best I have ever had, and it is easy to make as well.
Thanks for the awesome dressing. I thought mine was pretty good but yours is awesome. Keep up the good work!
Great summer salad. i’ve made it 3 times so far this summer and it’s a hit everytime!
Best Greek Salad I ever made!. Lots of compliments from friends at dinner parties.
Thank you for this Greek Salad Recipe, it’s amazing I love it , but instead of dry oregano I used fresh oregano and it was delicious 😋
Fantastic Greek Salad recipe! It really is the best and easy to make. Love the dressing
i have a Mediterranean Restaurant and we were looking for a recipe to replace one of ours with. This dressing is amazing! Thank You for sharing (fresh dill DOES make all the difference 🙂
Perfect summer side or picnic fare
Thank you for this Greek Salad Recipe, love the dressing !
Will be making over and over.
Doubled the Red wine and Balsamic vinegar that is the only change I made.
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