Classic Greek Salad Recipe (Horiatiki) - As Made In Greece (2024)

· By: Fotini · on | Updated:

- Pin Rate

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy

Jump To Recipe

Classic Greek Salad Recipe (Horiatiki) - As Made In Greece (1)

By doing a rough calculation I think I've prepared 3000 Greek Salads in my life! And nope I don't eat a Greek salad every single day of my life. I just happen to work in our family-owned Taverna (Greek restaurant) here in Greece. And almost everyoneorders a Greek Salad since it's a staple of Greek cuisine.

You probably are already familiar with this mouthwatering salad whether you just heard about it, tried it at home, or are one of these lucky people to try it first hand here in Greece. Lucky because Greek salad is all about summer. Refreshing, mouthwatering tomatoes and cucumbers. Creamy feta cheese, appetizing olives. Warm sun, sea breeze. Get the idea?

If not then check these pictures below. The first is the sea viewat our Restaurant and the second shows our tree-shaded restaurant Delfini. Trust me and a Greek salad tastes much better under the trees, looking at the sea along with a glass of ouzo.

Classic Greek Salad Recipe (Horiatiki) - As Made In Greece (2)
Classic Greek Salad Recipe (Horiatiki) - As Made In Greece (3)

Now I understand that you can't just grab a plane flight and come to have a Greek salad at this place. What you can do though is follow this recipe and make a big bowl of a Classic Greek Salad exactly the same way as it's made in Greece and let the flavors take you there.

How To Make A Classic Greek Salad

Simply cut all the veggies and add them to a large plate or bowl. Top them with a big piece of feta cheese and sprinkle plenty of olive oil and dried oregano on top. That's it. In Greece, we never mix a Classic Greek Salad we just add everything to the plate and serve!

Is There Lettuce In A Greek Salad?

No, there isn't lettuce in a Classic Greek Salad Recipe although it can be found in some recipe alterations.

Ingredients Used In A Classic Greek Salad Recipe

  • Tomatoes: Ripe and extra sweet, cut into large pieces.
  • Cucumber:Can be used either with skin, half-peeled, or completely peeled. Choose a deep green and crunchy cucumber.
  • Onions:The red variety of onions is mostly used. Cut into thin slices.
  • Bell Peppers:Always green bell peppers cut into slices.
  • Olives:Whole Kalamata olives with pits are what's always used in a Classic Greek Salad Recipe. Never pitted or sliced.
  • Feta Cheese:A big piece of Feta cheese preferably hard and well ripened.
  • Olive Oil:Plenty of olive oil is a must in a Greek Salad. It's what makes it so healthy and delicious. It collects at the bottom of the plate along with the tomato juices and all other delicious flavors making it great for dipping. Choose a quality extra virgin olive oil like this one for real flavor.
  • Dried Oregano:A good quality of dried Oregano is what makes the difference in this salad. Go for a wild Greek variety.
Classic Greek Salad Recipe (Horiatiki) - As Made In Greece (4)

Eat It Like A Greek

If you finally decide to make a Greek salad, then you must learn how to eat it too. I'm not talking about utensils here. Of course, you will use a fork. We're not China using eating sticks or anything (Thank God, as I'm completely helpless with them) What Greeks absolutely adore, is dipping pieces of bread in olive oil. They like to do that in any dish that’s made with olive oil. But the best dish to do that is a Greek salad.
Why do they love to do that? All the flavors have blended together. With the sweet juices from the tomatoes and the olive oil, create the most outstanding salad dressing you have ever tried. Or you are about to try...

What To Serve With A Greek Salad

Since it's a very fulfilling salad it can easily stand on its own either as a lighter, healthier, lunch or dinner. But it can also be served as a nice side dish to any grilled meat like Souvlaki for example. For Vegetarians you just have to try it with some Authentic Greek Tzatziki it's simply divine!

Recipe

Classic Greek Salad Recipe (Horiatiki) - As Made In Greece (5)

Classic Greek Salad

The Authentic way of making a Greek salad. It's a super simple salad that requires no mixing!

4.86 from 7 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Salad

Cuisine: Greek

Keyword: Keto, lunch, salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 salad bowl

Calories: 1020kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sized tomatoes very ripe
  • 1 small cucumber
  • ½ small onion
  • ¼ green bell pepper
  • 100 grams Greek feta cheese
  • 5-6 Greek kalamata olives
  • 6-7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • dried oregano

Instructions

  • Rinse well the cucumber and the tomatoes.

  • Cut the tomatoes in halves and than into thick slices. Add to a plate.

  • Slice cucumber in half. Cut in small pieces and add to the plate as well.

  • Thinly slice the onion and pepper and add to the plate.

  • Add the feta and olives on top.

  • Drizzle with olive oil and oregano.

  • Don't forget the bread for dipping. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 1020kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 102g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 62g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1407mg | Potassium: 825mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g

Tried this recipe?I would love to see! Mention @real_greek_recipes or tag #real_greek_recipes!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

  • Marinated Cabbage And Carrot Salad
  • Healthy Potato Tuna Salad (No Mayo)
  • Tzatziki Recipe - As Made In Greece

More Greek Appetizers And Sides

  • Whipped Goat Cheese Dip
  • Traditional Rice Stuffing For Christmas
  • Grilled Halloumi Cheese
  • Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint and Balsamic

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Classic Greek Salad Recipe (Horiatiki) - As Made In Greece (2024)

FAQs

What is a traditional Greek salad made of? ›

A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. This classic combination is delicious, so I stick to it, just adding a handful of mint leaves for a fresh finishing touch.

What is the history of Horiatiki salad? ›

Known as “Horiatiki”, meaning “from a village”, it is a classic Greek recipe loved and appreciated worldwide. A simple yet perfect combination of tomatoes, cucumbers, Greek feta cheese, crispy onions, and Greek olives dressed in extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with oregano.

What Horiatiki means? ›

/ (ˌhɔːrɪəˈtiːkɪ) / noun. a traditional Greek salad consisting of tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, and feta cheese.

How many Kalamata olives come on a whole salad? ›

The number of kalamata olives on a whole salad varies based on preference and recipe, but a Greek salad may typically have 6 to 10 olives.

Was Greek salad invented in Greece? ›

Legend has it that the beloved Greek Salad we know today was conceived in Plaka, a historic Athenian neighborhood, during the 1960s.

Why is my Greek salad bitter? ›

Traditional Greek & Mediterranean cuisine, involves a lot of vegetables like eggplants, zucchinis, artichokes et. c.. All of them are naturally bitter, so you must know how to cook them in order to taste good. Most recipes will require you to add stuff like salt, sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, condiments et.

Is it OK to eat Greek salad everyday? ›

You don't need to eat Greek salad regularly. If you're in a more temperate climate, there's no reason why you shouldn't eat Greek salad. Just don't make it your daily salad .

What is the world's largest Greek salad? ›

According to the World Record Academy, Lambrinidis' salad was not only the largest Greek salad but also the largest salad ever made, at 20 tons.

Why is Greek salad so good? ›

The foundation of a Greek salad consists of cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers, all of which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These vegetables are known to support overall health and are especially beneficial for maintaining clear skin and good digestion.

Why is there potato salad in Greek salad? ›

Pappamichalopoulos came up with the idea while serving as an army chef in France during World War I, adding a bit of potato salad as the base of a classic Greek salad (filled with tomatoes, kalamata olives, cucumbers, pepperoncini, and feta cheese, then drizzled with an kalamata olive oil-based vinaigrette) to make the ...

Is it OK to eat Kalamata olives everyday? ›

Kalamata olives are healthy when eaten in moderation, but it's important to remember that, like all olives, they're high in sodium. For a person who eats 2,000 calories per day, one serving has about 13% of your daily recommended limit of sodium.

How many olives a day is OK? ›

To keep your saturated fat intake within the recommended guidelines, it's best to limit your intake to 2–3 ounces (56–84 grams) — about 16–24 small- to medium-sized olives — per day. Though olives may aid weight loss, they're high in salt and fat — and eating too many of them may offset your weight loss success.

How many Greek olives should I eat a day? ›

Limit your intake to 2-3 ounces or 56-84 grams per day to avoid weight gain. Since kalamata olives are high in sodium, consume them in moderation to avoid diseases linked to high sodium intake.

What is the difference between a Greek and Mediterranean salad? ›

The primary difference lies in the use of specific ingredients. While both salads incorporate fresh vegetables and olive oil, Greek salad is characterized by the addition of feta cheese and Kalamata olives, giving it a uniquely Greek flavour.

Does traditional Greek salad contain lettuce? ›

A simple, healthy authentic Greek salad is a combination of vine ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, red onions, and crunchy peppers, tossed with chunks of feta, briny olives, and a simple dressing. No lettuce invited to this party.

How does Greek salad differ from the typical American tossed salad? ›

Most traditional Greek salads are missing lettuce altogether. Similarities between the American version and the Greek version are green peppers, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives and feta cheese. The Greek dressing is a flavorful combination of freshly squeezed lemon juice and lot's of extra virgin olive oil.

Why doesn t Greek salad have lettuce? ›

Please also note that a traditional Greek salad does not include lettuce. It is quite common for Greeks to eat seasonally. A Greek salad is primarily a summer dish, and since lettuce only grows in Greece during the winter months a traditional 'Horiatiki' salad does not include lettuce.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 6332

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.