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Traditional Greek Salad

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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This traditional Greek salad is made with crisp romaine, juicy tomatoes, creamy feta, Kalamata olives, and a simple lemon-oregano vinaigrette. Ideal for using any salad ingredients you have on hand, this recipe is great with grilled chicken, lamb, or fish.

Traditional Greek salad on a white plate with fresh dill.

Growing up just three hours away from Chicago, we would visit the Windy City frequently. One of my favorite memories of Chicago which has remained a tradition to this day is eating authentic Greek food in Greektown. From Greek Souvlaki Beef to Avgolemono (Greek Egg Lemon Soup) to Greek Village Salad and more, I love the bright, fresh flavors of Greek food so much! I love to whip up this Traditional Greek Salad for dinner about once a week.

Regardless of what else everyone orders, one thing remains the same every visit: we always get a large Greek salad for the table. Starting a meal with a salad is not only a great way to fuel your body with nutrients but it’s a great way to fill up on a low-calorie item.

Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for traditional Greek salad on a white backdrop.
  • Lettuce: Chopped romaine or green leaf lettuce makes the perfect base for this salad.
  • Cucumber: English cucumbers has a thinner skin, and are naturally “seedless” making them my go-to for salads.
  • Olives: I love the fruity and intense flavor of Kalamata olives, but you could use black olives as well.
  • Feta: Block or crumbled feta both work but I love using large blocks of feta cheese which is customary in Greece.
  • Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice pairs with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and seasoning to make a delicious vinaigrette dressing.

How to Make a Traditional Greek Salad

Adding olive oil to a medium sized glass bowl.

Step 1. Make your dressing by adding the fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and olive oil to a medium sized bowl.

Using a microplane to grate a garlic clove into a glass bowl.

Step 2. Using a microplane, grate in the garlic, then add the oregano, salt, and pepper.

Whisking together lemon vinaigrette.

Step 3. Add the dill, then whisk until fully combined. Set aside.

Liz cutting cucumber and tomatoes into small chunks.

Step 4. Next make your salad by washing and chopping your fresh produce.

Liz mincing fresh dill on a cutting board with a sharp knife.

Step 5. Mince your fresh dill to sprinkle on top as a finishing touch.

Tossing together a Greek salad with metal tongs.

Step 6. Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl, and drizzle with the vinaigrette. Toss until evenly coated.

Forkful of traditional Greek salad.

Top with the additional fresh dill, serve, and enjoy your Traditional Greek Salad!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s in a traditional Greek salad?

Traditionally you will find chopped romaine, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, feta cheese, and kalamata olives. Sliced, canned beets are commonly added, too. If you have fresh herbs like parsley or dill, I suggest those as well.

Can I make this salad in advance?

If the salad base is made of lettuce I don’t recommend dressing the salad more than 5 minutes before you plan to serve. If you dress the salad too far in advance you’ll end up wilting the greens. To save time, you can prep the vinaigrette up to 3 days in advance and simply toss with the greens right before serving. If you’re dressing a cabbage-based salad or a village salad that doesn’t have lettuce you can dress it a bit more ahead of time.

What cheese do you put on a Greek salad?

You’ll put feta cheese on a Greek salad, as that is what you’ll usually find in Greece.

Traditional Greek salad topped with fresh dill.

More Salad Recipes

Eat It, Like It, Share It!

Did you try this salad recipe? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your drink.

What are your favorite Greek specialties? Are there any you’d like me to make? Let me know!

Your fork is waiting.

Traditional Greek Salad

5 stars average
This traditional Greek salad is made with fresh veggies, creamy feta, kalamata olives, and a simple lemon-oregano vinaigrette.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
CourseSalad
Serves4

Ingredients
  

Greek salad:
  • 8 cups chopped romaine
  • 1 large tomato cut in wedges
  • 1 medium English cucumber sliced
  • 1 cup red onion cut in wedges
  • 4 ounces feta cheese cubed
  • ½ cup kalamata olives pitted
  • ¼ cup banana pepper rings
Greek Vinaigrette
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice juiced
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill minced – optional
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 clove garlic grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions
 

  1. Assemble the salad in a large serving bowl by layering the lettuce with all remaining ingredients.
  2. Whisk the Greek vinaigrette in a small bowl and drizzle on the salad right before serving. Divide between bowls to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cupsCalories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 6gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 1176mgPotassium: 331mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 659IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 189mgIron: 1mg

Video

Liz’s Notes

This salad is great for prepping ahead. Simply keep the dressing on the side and toss right before serving. 

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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2 responses to “Traditional Greek Salad”

  1. Angie Avatar
    Angie

    This tasted just like my favorite Greek restaurant. You make really good salads :-)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh that makes me so happy thanks Angie!