If you have been looking for a Greek salad recipe (Horiatiki) that actually tastes like the one served in Greece, then you have to try this authentic Greek salad recipe.
It’s time to take your taste buds to the refreshing flavours of the Mediterranean with every bite of this simple, refreshing and colourful Greek salad!
Traditional Greek village salad aka Horiatiki
If you have ever visited Greece before, you can’t have missed out on this classic Greek feta salad! It is served almost everywhere, in mainland Greece and islands, in every tavern, restaurant and household alongside delicious slices of moussaka!
Greek salad is also known as “Horiatiki or Xoriatiki” which means Village salad. This actually means that it is a rustic dish, made simple with a few good quality ingredients. No fancy presentation or preparation needed to impress with this dish.
This traditional Greek salad recipe (Horiatiki) is the brightest example of how Greek cuisine takes the simplest ingredients and with literally no effort transforms them into a finger licking dish!
Authentic Greek salad Ingredients
Greek salad is usually served from early spring until fall, when the ingredients are in season and fresh, which really makes a big difference.
A lot of Greek salad recipes include leafy greens, such as lettuce, cabbage, beets, radishes or even potatoes. But the fact is that this kind of ‘Greek salad’ is rarely found in Greece. A traditional Greek salad recipe (Horiatiki) will always (and only) include tomato, sliced cucumber, green pepper, sliced red onion, Kalamata olives or green olives and of course feta cheese.
Traditional Greek salad dressing
The simplicity of a classic Greek salad recipe also lays in the dressing. A lot of Greek salad recipes use prepared dressings containing various herbs and seasonings. Of course there is nothing wrong with that, but if you are looking for a more authentic taste, then keep the dressing simple and elegant.
A classic Greek salad is dressed with good quality extra virgin olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar. The dressing mingles with the juices of the vegetables making it really hard to resist digging in with a bite or two 🙂 of homemade bread. This is a traditional Greek salad; fresh, locally produced ingredients, simple and uncomplicated.
Tips for how to make the best Greek salad
To make this traditional Greek salad recipe keep an eye on your ingredients. Find some juicy tomatoes, crisp, fresh cucumber, creamy feta cheese, good quality extra virgin olive oil and some tangy black olives and you are basically done!
Cut the base ingredients in large chunks to give a more rustic touch. Cut the tomatoes straight in the serving bowl, so that the juices remain inside the bowl.
Add some pitted Kalamata olives, if you have some in hand or green olives.
Keep the dressing for Greek salad simple and authentic. Dress with Greek extra virgin olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar. Toss gently all the ingredients with the dressing, so that the flavours blend with the juices of the tomatoes and the aromas of the other vegetables.
For seasoning your Greek salad use some salt and dried Greek oregano and finish off with a bit extra right before serving. Regular salt will be ok, but using a pinch or two of Cretan sea salt blossom will be a great addition. Be careful not to add too much salt as feta cheese can be already salty.
Finish your salad with good quality Greek feta cheese cut in large blocks, but not crumbled. Serve right out of the bowl; no fancy presentation needed for this dish.
When you serve Greek salad remember to set aside on the table a small bottle of olive oil and one with vinegar, so that anyone can add an extra drizzle if they like.
Making ahead of time and storing
You can prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. You can also store the salad for up to 3 days in the refrigerator after you make it.
What to serve with Greek salad?
Greek salad actually pairs with almost every main Greek dish you can find in this site. Sometimes in the summer it can even be served on its own as a light meal or supper. And of course it accompanies perfectly a table of Greek mezedes.
So go ahead, make your own refreshing Greek salad with creamy feta cheese with this easy to follow Greek salad recipe and taste all the earthy flavours that characterise Greek cuisine in one dish. Enjoy!
Other delicious Greek salads
If you love my salad, then you’ll also love my following handpicked recommendations!
Looking for how to make Greek salad (Horiatiki) that actually tastes like the one served in Greece? Then you have to try this authentic Greek salad recipe!
As said before, the secret to make a delicious Greek salad is in the ingredients: juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, creamy feta cheese, good quality extra virgin olive oil and some tangy black olives will really make a difference.
To make this Greek salad recipe (Horiatiki), start by preparing your vegetables. Wash thoroughly and strain the vegetables. Cut the tomatoes into wedges, slice the onion into thin rings, cut the cucumber in thick slices and place everything in a large bowl. Don’t forget to add the olives as well.
Season with salt and pour over the extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. Toss everything together, so that the flavours mix. Be careful not to add too much salt, as the feta cheese and the olives are salty enough.
Greek salad (Horiatiki) is always served with feta cheese on top, a drizzle of olive oil and dried oregano. Enjoy your delicious Greek salad as a side dish or as a light summer meal with lots of crusty bread aside!
Nutrition
Serving Size:1 portion
Calories:206kcal
Sugar:4.8g
Sodium:399.6mg
Fat:17.6g
Saturated Fat:6.5g
Unsaturated Fat:10.3g
Trans Fat:0g
Carbohydrates:8.2g
Fiber:1.9g
Protein:6g
Cholesterol:29.7mg
Recipe image gallery:
Traditional Greek Salad recipe (Horiatiki)
Traditional Greek Salad recipe (Horiatiki-Xoriatiki)
The Greek diet keeps men virile, women happy and kids healthy. Could you ask for more? Well, yes. Mythos, the eponymous Greek Beer. Thank you Eli, from a fan of your recipes. I am an English man with an Irish mother, who is so proud to have been asked “are you sure your father wasn’t Greek?” Happy New Year Eli.
I made this recipie for the dressing, and instead of lettuce I used avacodo halves. I saw a picture on the internet and I thought I’d try it. You must try it if you’re trying to get more veggies into your diet.
I made this tonight as a topping for baked potatoes. I avoid lettuce like the plague as one time in a fancy restaurant a little green worm crawled across my plate. The staff thought I was nuts (I am!) when I took the worm outside and put him a flower planter.
Yum… Just yum! I took to a little lunch get-together and everyone scarfed it up/commented how delish it was. And, so freaking easy- definitely a keeper! Thank you!
Both parents were born in Asia Minor (Smyrna) and made their way to America with stops in Samos and Thessaloniki. Many of the recipes provided in this site definitely have Turkish roots and are quite similar to what my Mom would cook for the family. Totally agree an authentic Greek salad does not and should not contain any greens, such as lettuce and others. They just aren’t grown in the villages. Love your recipes.
Over the past 8 years you have made My Greek Dish the number one destination for anyone searching for authentic Greek recipes! For that I cannot thank you enough!
It all started with an idea… To collate and publish all those recipes that I loved when I was young, the ones I made with so much love for my children and grand children!
So go ahead, explore my delicious collections and don’t forget to leave me a comment, connect with me on Facebook or Instagram and sign up to my mailing list so you never miss out on my latest creations!
(522 votes, average: 4.64 out of 5)
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The Greek diet keeps men virile, women happy and kids healthy. Could you ask for more? Well, yes. Mythos, the eponymous Greek Beer. Thank you Eli, from a fan of your recipes. I am an English man with an Irish mother, who is so proud to have been asked “are you sure your father wasn’t Greek?” Happy New Year Eli.
Thank you Phil for the compliments and kind words! Happy new year to you, your family and loved ones too!
Eli
I made this recipie for the dressing, and instead of lettuce I used avacodo halves. I saw a picture on the internet and I thought I’d try it. You must try it if you’re trying to get more veggies into your diet.
She already said you don’t use lettuce. So what does instead of lettuce mean? Sounds like you lost your head 😉
I’ve eaten this dish in Athens and on the islands where my family comes from. We never use lettuce…ever!
I made this tonight as a topping for baked potatoes. I avoid lettuce like the plague as one time in a fancy restaurant a little green worm crawled across my plate. The staff thought I was nuts (I am!) when I took the worm outside and put him a flower planter.
Don’t forget the capers ! In all of the authentic Greek salads I had in Greece 🤤
Yum… Just yum! I took to a little lunch get-together and everyone scarfed it up/commented how delish it was. And, so freaking easy- definitely a keeper! Thank you!
Hands down this is the best salad I’ve ever made. Authentic, easy and delicious. Everyone raved about it. I’m so done with lettuce!
Both parents were born in Asia Minor (Smyrna) and made their way to America with stops in Samos and Thessaloniki. Many of the recipes provided in this site definitely have Turkish roots and are quite similar to what my Mom would cook for the family. Totally agree an authentic Greek salad does not and should not contain any greens, such as lettuce and others. They just aren’t grown in the villages. Love your recipes.