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Greek Salad
Easy 15 min prep 0 min cook 4 servings

Greek Salad

Greek Salad preparation

Introduction

What to expect

A refreshing Mediterranean salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta, and oregano.

The story

Behind the recipe

Greek salad, also known as horiatiki, originates from Greece as a staple of Greek cuisine. It is typically made with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, feta cheese, and olives, dressed with salt, oregano, lemon juice, and olive oil. The name "horiatiki" translates to "village salad" or "rustic salad," suggesting its origins as a simple farmer's meal made from readily available ingredients. Outside Greece, the term has evolved to include lettuce and other additions not found in the traditional version.

Method

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cut tomatoes and cucumber into large rustic chunks.

  2. 2

    Slice onion into thin rings and green pepper into strips.

  3. 3

    Layer vegetables in a wide shallow bowl.

  4. 4

    Add Kalamata olives and place a thick slab of feta on top.

  5. 5

    Sprinkle dried oregano over the salad generously.

  6. 6

    Drizzle olive oil and red wine vinegar over everything.

  7. 7

    Add a pinch of salt and toss gently just before serving.

  8. 8

    Serve with crusty bread to soak up the juices.

Adaptations

Variations & suggestions

Use cherry or heirloom tomatoes in place of standard beefsteak tomatoes.

Substitute thinly sliced shallot for the onion, or fresh oregano for dried—start with 1 Tbsp. chopped leaves and add more to taste.

Serve with grilled sourdough or warm pita instead of crusty bread.

Dress the salad right before serving; keep any undressed vegetables refrigerated for up to 1 day.