Greek salad, or Horiatiki, is a fresh Mediterranean salad made with ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, red onion, olives, and creamy feta, simply dressed with olive oil and oregano.
If you like easy Greek recipes, you might also like our chickpea cucumber salad, Greek pasta salad, Greek lentil salad, and Greek bean salad.
Why you’ll love this Authentic Greek Salad
Louise and I love making Greek salad (Horiatiki) when we want something fresh, simple, and full of flavor without turning on the stove. It’s a quick Mediterranean salad made with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, olives, and creamy feta, all brought together with good olive oil and oregano. 🥗
What we love most is how a handful of everyday ingredients turns into a bright, satisfying dish in just minutes. It’s naturally fiber-rich, nourishing, and part of a Mediterranean-style way of eating, so it feels light but still satisfying. 🍅
You can serve it as a quick lunch with warm pita, or as a fresh side for dinner. Either way, this classic Greek salad is one of those recipes that makes vegetables taste truly exciting. 🫒
Ingredients
Full ingredients and substitutions are in the recipe box below.
- Tomatoes: Use ripe, juicy tomatoes cut into wedges or large chunks. Heirloom or beefsteak are great for a classic Greek salad recipe. Cherry or Roma tomatoes also work. Let them sit at room temperature for the best flavor.
- Cucumbers: Peel, halve, and cut into bite-size pieces. Garden, English, or Persian cucumbers all work well. If the peel is tender, you can leave it on for extra crunch in this Mediterranean salad.
- Green bell pepper: Choose a firm, crisp pepper and slice it thinly. Substitute red or yellow bell pepper for a slightly sweeter taste.
- Red onion: Slice thinly for sharp flavor and color. If you prefer milder onion, soak the slices in cold water for 5 minutes. Shallots or sweet onions also work.
- Kalamata olives: Meaty and briny olives add depth. Substitute black olives, Castelvetrano olives, or any good table olives you like.
- Dried oregano: Classic for a traditional Greek salad. Substitute dried marjoram or a pinch of Italian seasoning.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Use good quality olive oil for the dressing. If needed, mix olive oil with a little avocado oil for a milder flavor.
- Sea salt: Enhances the vegetables’ natural flavor. Substitute kosher salt or flaky salt.
- Feta cheese: Use a block of Greek feta made from sheep’s milk or sheep and goat milk. Crumbled feta works too. For a dairy-free option, use plant-based feta.
How to make Greek Salad
Cut the tomatoes in half, remove their stem, then slice them into wedges. Remember that tomatoes should be at room temperature for the best flavor.
Peel the cucumber, cut it in half lengthwise, then slice it into bite-size half moons.
Cut the green bell pepper into four pieces lengthwise, remove its stem, seeds, and white flesh, then slice it.
Cut the red onion in half, peel it, and thinly slice it.
Tip: I noticed that in the places I visited in Greece, tomatoes were cut in large chunks, larger than bite-size. Feel free to cut the tomatoes into smaller pieces if you prefer.
Arrange chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell pepper onto a plate, large bowl, or serving platter.
Add Kalamata olives, a sprinkle of dried oregano, a pinch of salt, and a drizzle of olive oil, and give it a quick toss.
Place a block of Feta on the veggies, sprinkle with more dried oregano, and drizzle with olive oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ingredients in traditional Greek salad are tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell peppers, red onion, Kalamata olives, dried oregano, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and dried oregano.
In some regions in Greece, capers are added, especially on some Greek islands.
No, traditional Greek salad does not contain lettuce.
There is no “Greek salad dressing” in a traditional Greek salad. Instead, the salad is seasoned with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and dried oregano.
Ingredients NOT in a traditional Greek salad are lemon juice, romaine lettuce, fresh dill, dijon mustard, and chicken.
Xoriatiki or Greek salad.
More Greek and Mediterranean Salads
- Greek potato salad
- Mediterranean bean salad
- Greek cucumber salad
- Mediterranean quinoa salad
- Greek chickpea salad
- Mediterranean bulgur salad
- Greek orzo salad
- Greek yogurt pasta salad
If you try this Recipe please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it turned out in the comments—we love hearing from you.
Horiatiki – Greek Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 2 large tomatoes cut in wedges
- 1 large cucumber sliced
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 small green bell pepper sliced
- 20 Kalamata olives
- 1 block (7oz or 200g) Feta cheese or non-dairy feta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Cut 2 large tomatoes, remove their stem, then slice them into wedges.Peel 1 large cucumber, cut it in half lengthwise, then slice it into bite-size half moons.Cut 1 small green bell pepper into four pieces lengthwise, remove its stem, seeds, and white flesh, then slice it.Cut 1 small red onion in half, peel it, and thinly slice it.
- Arrange tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and bell pepper onto a plate or serving platter.Add 20 Kalamata olives, a sprinkle of dried oregano, a pinch of salt, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Place a block of Feta on the veggies, sprinkle with more dried oregano, and drizzle with more olive oil.
Notes
Nutrition
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Hi! We are Nico & Louise
We're here to share easy, healthy, and delicious recipes 🌿✨.
Welcome to our blog, we are glad you are here.
Love it! 😍 I’m going to make it. Thank you!
I’m very happy to hear, Yolanda! Thanks for your message. Cheers, Nico
What happened to the anchovies, and the green stuffed leave