🌿 Introduction:
A Classic Greek Salad is a staple of Greek cuisine, known for its bold, fresh flavors and minimal use of dressing. It traditionally includes juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, red onions, tangy Kalamata olives, creamy feta cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil, all without a leaf of lettuce in sight. The ingredients are left chunky and rustic, honoring the salad’s village origins. It’s a perfect dish for summer or anytime you want something light, healthy, and full of flavor.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled (optional) and sliced into thick half-moons
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced into thin rings
- 15–20 Kalamata olives, whole (with or without pits)
- 200g (7 oz) block of feta cheese, preferably sheep’s milk, cut into thick slices or crumbled
- 2–3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (optional but traditional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
🍳 Instructions & Method
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
- Tomatoes: Cut into wedges or large chunks. Use ripe but firm tomatoes.
- Cucumber: Slice into thick rounds or half-moons. Peeling is optional, depending on taste and variety.
- Red Onion: Thinly slice. If too sharp, soak in cold water for 10 minutes and drain before adding.
- Green Pepper: Remove seeds and slice into thin rings or strips.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad
- In a large shallow serving bowl or platter, combine the tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and green pepper.
- Scatter the Kalamata olives over the top.
Step 3: Add the Feta
- Place the block of feta on top of the salad. For a more rustic look, you can crumble it, but the traditional way is to keep it as a thick slab.
Step 4: Dress the Salad
- Drizzle the olive oil generously over the entire salad.
- Add a splash of red wine vinegar if using.
- Sprinkle the oregano evenly over the top.
- Season with a little salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve immediately as-is. No need to toss—let each person mix on their plate.
- Best enjoyed with crusty bread to soak up the juices.
👨🍳 Tips & Variations
- Authenticity tip: Greek salad is traditionally served without lettuce and uses a block of feta rather than crumbles.
- Add capers for an extra briny touch.
- Use high-quality olive oil—it makes a big difference in flavor.
- If serving as a main dish, add some grilled chicken or chickpeas for protein.