Greek Salad - Love and Lemons (2024)

This easy Greek salad recipe is our new favorite summer side dish! Just 7 ingredients + a simple Greek salad dressing make it refreshing & delicious.

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Greek Salad - Love and Lemons (1)

Greek Salad - Love and Lemons (2)

I love a good green salad –mixed greens, romaine, andkale are some of my favorite starting points for fresh, healthy meals. But summer is a time when all vegetables are at their peak. Sweet, juicy tomatoes, snappy bell peppers, and crisp cucumbers abound. This Greek salad recipe showcases these veggies, without any greens to get in the way.

And the best past? Because the vegetables are in their prime, this Greek salad recipe is flavorful and refreshing with just a few ingredients. You only need 7 ingredients +an easy homemade Greek salad dressing to make it! It’s been a hit at our family gatherings over the last few weeks – my mom even added it to her regular recipe rotation. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Greek Salad - Love and Lemons (3)

Greek Salad Ingredients

A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. This classic combination is delicious, so I stick to it, just adding a handful of mint leaves for a fresh finishing touch.

My olives of choice are Kalamata olives. Commonly used in Greek food, their salty, briny flavor is delectable alongside the feta and crisp veggies. Instead of slicing large tomatoes, I use cherry tomatoes because they release less water into the salad than larger tomatoes would. I also seed my cucumber to avoid making my salad watery.

A great salad will have a yummy jumble of veggies, olives, and cheese in each bite, so be sure to cut your ingredients into similar-sized pieces. I like to buy pitted Kalamata olives and leave them whole, and I chop the feta into 1/2-inch cubes instead of crumbling it. I aim for 1-inch squares for the bell pepper, cut the cucumber into thin half-moons, and simply halve the cherry tomatoes.

My Greek Salad Dressing

I toss the veggies, olives, and feta cheese in an easy homemade Greek salad dressing. With just 5 ingredients + salt and pepper, it’s super simple to whisk together, and it gives this easy Greek salad recipe a bright, zingy flavor. It’s a simple mix of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and dried oregano.

In addition to using them in the dressing, I like to sprinkle my salad with generous pinches of oregano and black pepper for a fresh, peppery garnish.

Greek Salad - Love and Lemons (4)

Greek Salad Serving Suggestions

Because this salad doesn’t have any tender greens, it’s a good one to make ahead for gatherings. If I’m prepping it ahead, I like to save a few fresh mint leaves to add right before serving. It’s alsoan excellent dinner side. Enjoy it with a summer pizza like this one or this one, pesto pasta, roasted vegetable pasta, or a big veggie lasagna.

If you want to vary this salad recipe, try using use a mix of red, green, and yellow bell peppers, adding some fresh oregano or parsley, or stirring in cooked or roasted chickpeas to make it a full meal. To make it vegan, skip the cheese and add 3/4 cup cooked chickpeas and 1 tablespoon capers in its place.

If you love this Greek salad recipe…

Try my easy pasta salad, broccoli salad, potato salad, or watermelon salad next, or see this post for more of my best summer salad recipes!

Greek Salad - Love and Lemons (5)

Greek Salad

rate this recipe:

5 from 429 votes

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Serves 4

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This easy Greek salad recipe is a flavorful, refreshing summer side dish! If you make it ahead for a gathering, save a few mint leaves to add right before serving.

Ingredients

Dressing

For the salad

  • 1 English cucumber, cut lengthwise, seeded, and sliced ¼-inch thick
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
  • 5 ounces feta cheese, cut into ½ inch cubes*
  • cup thinly sliced red onion
  • cup pitted Kalamata olives
  • cup fresh mint leaves

Instructions

  • Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, mustard, salt, and several grinds of pepper.

  • On a large platter, arrange the cucumber, green pepper, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, red onions, and olives. Drizzle with the dressing and very gently toss. Sprinkle with a few generous pinches of oregano and top with the mint leaves. Season to taste and serve.

Notes

*Feta in brine is best for this recipe.

Greek Salad - Love and Lemons (2024)

FAQs

Are Greek salads good for weight loss? ›

The combination of vegetables, greens, and olives provides a significant amount of fiber, which aids in digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and supports weight loss.

What is Greek salad dressing made of? ›

What's in a Greek Salad Dressing? A traditional Greek salad dressing is really a Greek vinaigrette as it contains olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic cloves, dried oregano (the key ingredient) and salt and pepper.

What is a traditional Greek salad made of? ›

A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. This classic combination is delicious, so I stick to it, just adding a handful of mint leaves for a fresh finishing touch.

What is Greek dressing panera? ›

A creamy blend of olive oil and cider vinegar with hints of garlic and other Mediterranean-inspired spices in this bakery-cafe inspired favorite.

Is it okay to eat Greek Salad every day? ›

Conclusion. Greek salad is much more than a simple dish; it's a powerhouse of nutrients, offering myriad health benefits ranging from improved heart health to weight management. By making it a regular part of your diet, you can enjoy these benefits while indulging in one of the Mediterranean's most beloved dishes.

Why is a Greek salad so high in calories? ›

Greek salad: While a Greek salad has a lot of “healthy” ingredients, the additions give it its flavor and appeal. Feta, stuffed grape leaves and olives can add hundreds of extra calories and grams of fat. This salad may start with a 300-calorie base, but just the olive oil in the dressing racks up 200 calories.

Do people in Greece eat Greek salad? ›

In Greece, Horiatiki or Greek village salad, is served most often from early spring through summer and up until mid fall. It's truly the best use of the season's produce, like crunchy cucumbers, sweet tomatoes, and earthy green bell peppers. I know you'll love it as much as I do.

How do you keep Greek salad from getting soggy? ›

You can absolutely store leftover — just try to keep the dressing and the salad separate so that it doesn't get soggy. Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing in a mason jar or similar airtight container for 3-5 days.

Why is Greek salad so good? ›

The foundation of a Greek salad consists of cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers, all of which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These vegetables are known to support overall health and are especially beneficial for maintaining clear skin and good digestion.

Is Panera Greek salad healthy? ›

Modern Greek Salad with Quinoa

There are plenty of healthy ingredients, like olives, kale and romaine lettuce, in this main-sized salad. Like most restaurant meals, the sodium is high, but 300 mg of salt is coming from the Greek dressing. Order the dressing on the side and drizzle lightly — just enough to add flavor.

What lettuce does Panera use? ›

Romaine lettuce: I know Panera uses a salad blend that includes romaine, arugula, kale, and red leaf lettuce, but I prefer to keep it simple with just romaine lettuce.

Can Greek food help you lose weight? ›

The Greek Diet relies on twelve main “Pillar Foods”. Research shows they promote fat-burning, increase satiety, prevent disease, and enhance the overall culinary experience. The history, benefits, and culinary applications of each of the Pillar Foods is explored.

Can you lose weight by eating salads? ›

Can you lose weight by eating a salad every day? "Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

How many calories are in a fat Greek salad? ›

Greek Salad
Serving Size:350g350g + Dressing
Calories177285
Protein (g)88
Carbs (g)1515
Fat (g)1022

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