Fresh & Healthy Horiatiki Greek Salad + Easy Dressing Recipe
Discover the authentic taste of Greece with our Horiatiki Greek Salad. Fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and Mediterranean charm in every bite. Just 10 mins prep to make salad and tasty dressing!
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Large kitchen knife and cutting board
- Medium-sized bowl (or glass jar)
- Whisk
Ingredients
For the salad
- 1 English cucumber diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives
- 4 oz 110 g feta cheese, crumbled
- salt and pepper to taste
For the easy dressing (Ladolemono)
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice freshly squeezed is best
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- Cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 Clove Garlic minced
Instructions
Step 1 - Prepare the Salad Dressing (Ladolemono)
- Whisk together the lemon juice and the extra virgin olive oil.½ cup extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup lemon juice
- Add the minced garlic, and herbs, and season with salt and pepper. Whisk again and check the flavor.1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, Cracked black pepper, 1 Clove Garlic
- Set aside for use later. This gives the flavors time to meld.
Step 2 - Prepare Veggies
- Chop cucumber into bite-sized pieces; quarter moons about 1/8th inch thick work well.1 English cucumber
- Dice the green pepper into small pieces (a little smaller than the cucumber).1 green bell pepper
- Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, and finely slice the red onion into half moons.1 cup cherry tomatoes, ½ red onion
Step 3 - Build Salad
- Add the cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, olives, and feta cheese to a large mixing bowl.½ cup Kalamata olives, 4 oz 110 g feta cheese, crumbled, salt and pepper to taste
Step 4 - Serve
- Drizzle the dressing on the salad, gently stir to combine, and serve!
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips
- Fresh Ingredients: Start with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Use ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, firm bell peppers, and pungent red onions for the best flavor and texture.
- Properly Ripened Tomatoes: Choose tomatoes that are ripe but still firm. Overly soft or mushy tomatoes can make the salad watery and less flavorful. We use sugar drop cherry tomatoes, they are bite-sized and deliciously sweet and tangy.
- Seed and Drain Cucumbers: Use English cucumbers for this recipe, they have fewer seeds and are not bitter. If using seeded cucumbers, slice the cucumbers in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon before slicing them. You can also sprinkle the cucumber slices with salt and let them sit for a few minutes to draw out excess moisture, then pat them dry with paper towels.
- Authentic Feta Cheese: Use authentic Greek feta cheese made from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep's and goat's milk for the most authentic flavor. Avoid pre-crumbled feta, as it tends to be drier and less flavorful. Feta comes in blocks and is found in the chilled dairy section of any supermarket.
- Marinated Olives: If you're using jarred Kalamata olives, consider marinating them briefly in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for added flavor.
- Homemade Dressing: Make your own Greek dressing with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences, and whisk everything together until well combined.
- Chill Ingredients: Chill the ingredients before assembling the salad to keep it crisp and refreshing. You can even chill the serving bowl or platter for an extra refreshing touch.
- Toss Gently: Toss the salad gently just before serving to coat the ingredients evenly with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to maintain the integrity of the ingredients. Use salad spoons or forks also work well.
- Customize to Taste: Feel free to customize the salad to suit your preferences. Add extras like marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, or capers for extra flavor and texture. A bed of crispy lettuce or your favorite leafy green also works well.