How to Make a Greek Salad

Dec 20, 2023

5 from 3 votes

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This Greek salad with Greek dressing is flavor-packed and an amazing side to just about any meal! To make it a meal on its own, just add some grilled meat.

a bowl of greek salad with dressing on the side

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Classic Greek Salad Ingredients
Homemade Greek Salad Dressing
How to Make Greek Salad from Scratch
Tips and Modifications
Frequently Asked Questions
Storing and Making Ahead Greek Salad
Serve it as a Side
How to Make a Greek Salad
How to Make a Greek Salad Recipe

Greek salad is one of the best-flavored salads with so much texture, vibrant color, and deliciousness packed into each bite. It is so simple to make and comes together with all the best ingredients. Enjoy this Greek salad recipe for lunch or a light dinner!

This flavor-packed salad with a homemade Greek dressing makes an amazing side dish or main meal any day. Slice up grilled chicken or steak for a complete meal. It is super easy to throw together and you can top it however you would like.

Classic Greek Salad Ingredients

So much flavor in this Greek salad mix that is topped with fresh vegetables, sweet tomatoes, and a hint of mildness. Add a traditional Greek salad dressing and your tastebuds will be thanking you! So simple to toss together and make your new favorite salad.

Romaine lettuce – This lettuce is light and fresh and is known to be one of the healthiest types of lettuce. It is a bright green color with delicious thick textured leaves.
Cherry tomatoes – Sink your teeth into a small luscious cherry tomato. These are sweet, savory, and petite juicy tomatoes.
Cucumbers – Slice the crisp cucumbers thin and cut them in half.
Tomato and basil feta cheese – In your dairy aisle there are different flavors of feta cheese. This type is a delicious combination and tastes amazing! It is a soft cheese with a light and airy texture.
Kalamata olives – These are rich and flavorful olives that are usually long and slender in shape and have a deep purple color. They are slightly fruity with a vinegary taste to them. Combined with the Greek dressing, you will love the flavor combination.
Red onions – Slice your onions thin and long, or in large chunks to showcase the reddish-purple layer. These onions are full of flavor!
Peperoncinis – A curled-up pepper that has been marinated and has a sweet and mild flavoring. These can be sliced into thin slices or left whole in the salad. Either way, it is not complete without peperoncini!

Ingredients for Greek salad including, tomato and basil feta cheese, romaine lettuce, onions, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, garbanzo beans, pepperoncinis, and dressing

Homemade Greek Salad Dressing

This light and creamy salad dressing is always a favorite and compliments this salad perfectly. These ingredients are pantry staples and are always great to have on hand. You can use Greek salad dressing as a brine to marinate chicken or pork too! Whisk together and serve!

Olive oil – Blend all the flavors and give it that base and richness using olive oil.
Red wine vinegar – This is the flavor of the homemade dressing.
Honey – Sweeten the Greek salad dressing with natural sweetener from the honey.
Lemon juice – This is a balance of the ingredients when stirring it together.
Garlic powder – Adds that savory taste.
Oregano – Use fresh or dried oregano for this salad dressing.

How to Make Greek Salad from Scratch

Making this easy Greek salad is a breeze! Simply prepare all the fresh ingredients, toss them together, and drizzle over the most delicious Greek salad dressing. This combination will make your tastebuds sing!

Prepare – Wash and prepare the lettuce, then top with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, olives, onions, pepperoncini, and garbanzo beans.
Toss – Place all the ingredients into a large bowl. Toss together and garnish with a few extra ingredients on top for presentation!
Dressing – Mix the dressing ingredients and drizzle over the salad.

Tips and Modifications

Grab a large bowl and start making this delicious Greek salad. It is quick and easy to make in a matter of minutes. These tips and modifications can help you make the perfect salad that you will love over and over again. It is an easy salad to modify and add or substitute the ingredients for.

Traditional – Some areas serve this salad without the lettuce. It is similar to a charcuterie board but on a plate or bowl with only the toppings. A light and refreshing lunch that tastes amazing too!
Cheese – Feta is the best option for this salad and most salads, but there are a variety of choices of feta cheeses and flavors. Pick the one that is best for you and what you feel will taste delicious with this Greek salad.
Olives – If you are not a big kalamata olive fan, you can substitute it for black olives, or even use both types of olives in the salad.
Tomatoes – Substitute the tomatoes for grape tomatoes. They are a pretty purple color and large. Grape tomatoes have a distinct flavor, texture, and taste to them. A great addition to this Greek salad.
Dressing – I like to make the dressing in a mason jar, and then I can shake it to mix the ingredients together and also use it to store in the refrigerator. It is easy to pour out of and seal back up with the lid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called a Greek salad?

Greek salad is a dish that is from Greece. It is known to be served as a side next to a Greek meal. This is a popular salad in Greece and Cyprus. It is supposed to be a light and refreshing salad that is simple to make with fresh ingredients.

What makes a good Greek salad?

A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, green bell peppers, red onion, and olives, and is topped with feta cheese. Add in some mint leaves for a fresh touch.

Is Greek salad the healthiest salad?

Because of all the fresh ingredients, you would think that it is the healthiest salad; however, it is one of the top, but not the healthiest. This Greek salad has veggies, healthy fats, and protein from the cheese to make this a well-rounded salad. You can add chicken for extra protein too.

Can I make a vegan version of Greek salad?

Sure! Omit the feta cheese and use a plant-based feta substitute. The other ingredients are already vegan-friendly.

What are the common variations of Greek salad?

Other variations of Greek salad include avocado, lettuce, and fresh herbs. On the top of the salad, they will have meat such as grilled chicken or shrimp to boost the protein. Some also put cooked pasta for a Greek pasta salad recipe.

Storing and Making Ahead Greek Salad

Making salads ahead of time is a bit tricky but also nice to have them in the refrigerator and ready to go. For this Greek salad recipe, you can store the ingredients separately or all together. The dressing is best to leave off until ready to toss together and serve.

Meal prep – Make this Greek salad ahead of time and use it as meal prep. Place about 2 cups of lettuce in an airtight container. Place the toppings in individual bags or containers. Each day, grab and combine the lettuce with the ingredients and a side of Greek salad dressing. Combine it all when ready to eat and enjoy!
Refrigerate – Stove leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep the dressing and salad separate until ready to serve.

Serve it as a Side

This salad tastes delicious on the side of all kinds of different dishes. It adds depth and variety to your average meal. Here are a few ideas for things to serve with this popular salad!