Savor the Crisp and Tangy Goodness of Greek Salad – Saláta
Bring the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your table with Greek Salad, a classic dish that combines the crunch of fresh vegetables with the creamy tang of feta cheese and the briny bite of black olives.
Drizzled with a homemade red wine vinaigrette, this salad is as delicious as it is easy to prepare.
Perfect as a light starter, a refreshing side dish, or a healthy main course, Saláta complements grilled meats, seafood, or mezze spreads beautifully.
Its simplicity, bold flavors, and colorful presentation make it a go-to recipe for summer gatherings or quick weeknight dinners.
Main Ingredients:
⦁ ½ head iceberg or romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
⦁ 2 tomatoes, quartered (or 10 cherry tomatoes, halved)
⦁ 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
⦁ ½ green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into strips
⦁ 5 scallions, thinly sliced
⦁ 1 cup (about 6 oz) feta cheese, broken into chunks
⦁ 12–16 black Greek olives
For the Dressing:
⦁ 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
⦁ 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
⦁ ½ tsp salt
⦁ ¼ tsp black pepper
⦁ ½ tsp oregano
⦁ ¼ cup olive oil
1. Prepare the Vegetables: In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, scallions, feta cheese, and olives.
2. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Gradually add olive oil while whisking to emulsify the dressing.
3. Toss and Serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately on chilled plates for the best flavor.
🛒 Choosing Ingredients:
✔ Tomatoes – Use ripe, juicy ones (cherry tomatoes work too).
✔ Cucumbers – Choose crisp, seedless ones (Persian/English).
✔ Olives – Always go for Kalamata olives (with pits for best flavor).
✔ Feta Cheese – Use block feta (not crumbled) & prefer sheep’s milk.
✔ Olive Oil – Use high-quality Greek extra virgin olive oil.
👩🍳 Preparation:
✔ Chop big! – Keep pieces chunky, not diced.
✔ Red onion tip – Soak slices in water/vinegar for 10 min to remove bitterness.
✔ No lettuce! – Traditional Greek salad doesn’t have it.
✔ Easy on salt – Feta & olives are already salty.
🍳 Assembling & Dressing:
✔ Toss gently – Drizzle olive oil & mix lightly.
✔ No bottled dressing! – Just olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt & pepper.
✔ Use dried oregano – Greek oregano gives the best flavor.
📦 Storage:
✔ Best fresh! – Eat immediately to avoid sogginess.
✔ Storing? – Keep veggies separate from dressing & feta.
🍽 Serving:
✔ Feta on top – Leave it as a block, not crumbled.
✔ Pair with bread – Perfect with crusty bread or pita