Quick & Zesty Classic Greek Salad Recipe for Sunny Lunches

Fresh summer vegetables dance with tangy feta in this vibrant greek salad that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.

Crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and sharp red onions create a colorful medley of flavors.

Kalamata olives add a rich, briny touch to the mix.

The zesty dressing blends olive oil, red wine vinegar, and herbs into a perfect harmony.

You’ll appreciate how simple ingredients combine to create such a refreshing dish.

Each bite brings a burst of sunshine and bright Mediterranean flavors.

This salad promises to be the star of your next meal, transporting you straight to a seaside taverna in Greece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Classic Greek Salad Ingredients

• Cherry Tomatoes: Burst with sweet summer flavor, choose ripe and firm tomatoes with vibrant red color for maximum taste.
• Cucumber: Adds crisp and refreshing crunch, select firm and bright green cucumbers without blemishes.
• Green Bell Pepper: Brings mild, slightly tangy flavor, pick peppers with smooth, glossy skin and no soft spots.
• Red Onion: Delivers sharp, zesty bite, choose onions with tight, papery skin and no bruising.
• Kalamata Olives: Provides rich, briny Mediterranean essence, select plump, dark purple olives with smooth texture.

• Olive Oil: Creates smooth, silky base with authentic Greek character, use extra virgin for best flavor.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness, select high-quality vinegar for balanced acidity.
• Oregano: Introduces classic Mediterranean herb profile, use dried or fresh for aromatic depth.
• Lemon Juice: Offers bright, citrusy freshness, choose ripe, juicy lemons for maximum zest.
• Garlic: Contributes robust, pungent undertone, pick firm cloves without green sprouts.

• Feta Cheese: Brings creamy, salty punch, choose authentic Greek sheep's milk feta for traditional taste.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides light, herbal garnish, select bright green leaves with no wilting.

Tools To Toss A Great Greek Salad

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing and tossing salad ingredients together smoothly.
• Small Bowl or Jar: Perfect for whisking dressing ingredients until perfectly blended.
• Whisk: Helps create a smooth, well-combined dressing quickly.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for chopping vegetables with precision.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for slicing ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and dressing proportions.

Simple Steps To Greek Salad Greatness

• Chop Fresh Vegetables

Slice ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and green bell pepper into bite-sized chunks. Thinly slice red onion and roughly cut Kalamata olives. Toss everything together in a large mixing bowl.

• Whip Up Zesty Dressing

In a small container, combine extra virgin olive oil, tangy red wine vinegar, dried oregano, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Shake or whisk vigorously until ingredients blend perfectly.

• Dress and Toss Salad

Drizzle the vibrant dressing over the chopped vegetables. Gently fold ingredients together, ensuring every piece gets coated with the Mediterranean-inspired vinaigrette.

• Finish with Feta

Crumble creamy feta cheese over the salad. If desired, sprinkle some fresh parsley for an extra burst of color and flavor.

• Serve and Enjoy

Plate your salad immediately for maximum freshness. For an extra cool touch, you can chill the salad in the refrigerator for up to an hour before serving.

Tips & Swaps For A Better Greek Salad

• Chill Out Technique: Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and create a refreshing summer dish.
• Ingredient Swap Magic: Replace Kalamata olives with green olives for a milder flavor profile or use different bell pepper colors for visual appeal.
• Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu to transform this salad into a complete meal with extra protein and nutrition.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute feta cheese with dairy-free alternatives like vegan feta or nutritional yeast crumbles for a plant-based version of the classic Greek salad.
• Herb Garden Twist: Experiment with fresh herbs like mint or dill instead of parsley to create unique flavor variations and add a personal touch to the traditional recipe.

Serving A Refreshing Greek Salad

• Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Arrange the Greek salad alongside warm pita bread, hummus, tzatziki, and grilled halloumi for a stunning shared appetizer spread that transports diners to a sunny Greek taverna.
• Protein Power Bowl: Transform the salad into a hearty meal by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas on top, creating a nutritious and satisfying lunch that's packed with Mediterranean flavors.
• Summer Picnic Star: Pack the salad in a sealed container for outdoor dining, perfect for beach trips, park gatherings, or backyard barbecues where fresh, light dishes shine brightly under the sun.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the salad's vibrant flavors with a crisp white wine like Assyrtiko or a light Greek rosé, enhancing the fresh ingredients and creating a delightful culinary experience.

How To Keep Greek Salad Fresh

• Fresh Fridge Storage: Keep the salad in an airtight container for 1-2 days. Separate dressing from vegetables to maintain crisp texture and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Quick Prep Tip: Chop vegetables and store separately in sealed containers for easy assembly throughout the week. This strategy saves time and keeps ingredients fresh.
• Dressing Longevity: Homemade vinaigrette can be refrigerated in a sealed jar for 5-7 days. Shake well before using to recombine ingredients.
• Temperature Trick: Enjoy salad at cool room temperature for enhanced flavor. Remove from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to develop fuller taste profiles.

Vibrant Greek Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Greek salads combine crisp vegetables and tangy feta in a Mediterranean masterpiece. Simple ingredients create a refreshing dish that brings Mediterranean flavors directly to your plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (236 ml) feta cheese, crumbled or in blocks
• 1 cup (150 g) Kalamata olives, pitted
• 2 cups (300 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Vegetable Preparation: Dice cherry tomatoes, cucumber, green bell pepper, and red onion into uniform pieces. Incorporate Kalamata olives into a large mixing bowl, creating a vibrant Mediterranean vegetable landscape.
2. Dressing Creation: Whisk extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, lemon juice, and minced garlic into a seamless emulsion. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, blending until the mixture achieves a silky consistency.
3. Flavor Infusion: Pour the prepared dressing over the vegetable ensemble, gently tossing to ensure each ingredient is thoroughly coated. Allow the vegetables to absorb the aromatic vinaigrette, maximizing flavor penetration.
4. Cheese and Garnish: Generously crumble Greek feta cheese across the salad’s surface, creating a creamy contrast to the crisp vegetables. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley for an herbaceous finishing touch.
5. Serving Recommendation: Let the salad rest for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to harmonize. Serve at cool room temperature, ideally within an hour of preparation to maintain vegetable texture and vibrant taste profile.

Notes

• Uniform Chopping: Slice vegetables precisely and consistently to guarantee each bite delivers balanced flavor and texture, preventing uneven eating experience.
• Dressing Emulsion Technique: Whisk olive oil and vinegar slowly and steadily, creating a smooth, well-integrated dressing that clings perfectly to vegetables without separating.
• Cheese Temperature Tip: Remove feta cheese from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance its creamy texture and allow subtle flavor nuances to emerge.
• Marination Magic: Let salad rest for 10-15 minutes before serving, enabling ingredients to absorb dressing and develop deeper, more complex Mediterranean flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg