Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (2024)

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This traditional Greek Salad Recipe is so easy and delicious to make. It's healthy and chock full of fresh chopped veggies, tangy olives, creamy feta cheese, and a very tasty homemade tangy greek salad dressing. Make it a meal-in-one by adding diced chicken, lamb, pork, or beef. Bonus: it's low-carb keto and gluten-free! Let's make it!

Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (1)
Jump to:
  • Watch: How to Make This Recipe for Greek Salad
  • You'll Love This Low Carb Keto Greek Salad
  • Traditional Greek Salad Ingredients
  • Best Greek Salad Variations
  • How To Make a Greek Salad
  • How To Serve This Recipe for Greek Salad
  • How To Store Keto Greek Salad
  • Top Tips For The Best Greek Salad
  • Greek Salad Recipe FAQs
  • Best Greek Salad Recipe
  • More Recipes To Love
  • Comments

Watch: How to Make This Recipe for Greek Salad

You'll Love This Low Carb Keto Greek Salad

"One of my all time favorite salad recipes. This is an easy Greek Salad recipe, with fresh chopped veggies and delicious homemade dressing, it is very healthy and light-tasting." -Kori

It's Easy. 10 minutes to prepare this very tasty and easy salad! The flavors are best if you refrigerate for at least two hours before servings, but if you're in a hurry, you can eat right away.

So Tasty. I've always loved traditional Greek salad. The vinaigrette dressing tossed with fresh veggies, cheese, and olives is the perfect combination of flavors and textures with the crispiness of veggies.

A healthy low carb keto Greek salad. This recipe is gluten-free, low carb, keto, and has no added sugar. If you're following the Mediterranean diet, this salad will work perfectly!

Traditional Greek Salad Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you'll need to make this delicious salad recipe!

Greek Salad Ingredients

  • Green Bell Peppers
  • English Cucumber (also called a Hot House Cucumber) - an English cucumber has fewer juices, so it will help to keep your salad from getting too runny.
  • Roma Tomatoes - roma tomatoes have less liquid in them. You can also halve cherry tomatoes.
  • Red Onions
  • Pitted Kalamata Olives - I prefer whole pitted Kalamata olives. You can also use black olives or even sliced olives (of either variety).
  • Feta Cheese - I typically use block feta, then cut it into bite-sized pieces. You can also use the creamy crumbled feta cheese, but you won't get those nice bite-size pieces that are a classic part of this salad.

Greek Salad Dressing Ingredients

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Garlic Cloves
  • Oregano - use dried or fresh
  • Dill - use dried or fresh
  • Kosher Salt
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper

For full recipe ingredient amounts, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Be sure to save this pin to Pinterest for later! 😉

Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (2)

Best Greek Salad Variations

Here are several delicious ways you can customize this salad:

  • Make this a Greek pasta salad by adding about 2 cups of cooked and cooled pasta. Tiny orzo pasta would also be great!
  • Make this a full meal by adding cooked diced chicken, lamb, beef, or pork. I like to double the dressing and then use half as a marinade. Grill, bake, or cook on your stovetop.
  • Fresh lemon juice may be used in place of red wine vinegar.
  • Use any color of bell peppers you like.
  • Use a sweet onion in place of the red onion.
  • Play around with different types of herbs and vinegars to give it your own unique spin.
  • Substitute any favorite olive that you like - pitted or otherwise. Whole or sliced.
  • Add fresh diced avocado.
  • If you don't feel like making my the recipe dressing you can buy a favorite store-bought dressing instead.

How To Make a Greek Salad

This really is a simple salad to toss together! Here's how to make this traditional Greek salad recipe:

  1. Toss olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, dill, salt, and pepper into a small bowl and mix. (Tip: The salad dressing can be made ahead of time - or used immediately.)
Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (3)
  1. Add bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, and cheese to a large bowl.
Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (4)
  1. Pour the dressing over the top of the salad.
Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (5)
  1. Toss all the ingredients together.
Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (6)
  1. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours to blend flavors.
  2. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve and enjoy!

How To Serve This Recipe for Greek Salad

  • This is the perfect salad to take to a cookout or potluck, as it keeps so well. You can easily double or triple the recipe as needed. Since it's best to make it ahead, it makes it all the more convenient.
  • Because this is a zesty salad with bold flavors, I like to serve it with a simple grilled or baked chicken, pork, lamb, or beef.
  • By the way, the salad dressing is really good as a marinade or just served over a fresh green salad. Yum.
  • Gyro Burgers are the perfect thing to serve with Greek salad. These are seriously good burgers!

How To Store Keto Greek Salad

Store Greek salad in an air-tight bowl in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Top Tips For The Best Greek Salad

  • I like using roma tomatoes because they aren't as juicy as other types. They help keep the salad from becoming too runny as it sits.
  • Cut all of the vegetables and feta cheese into uniform bite-size pieces.
  • You don't have to scoop the seeds and insides out of the cucumber, but it helps to keep the salad from becoming too runny.
  • Make the salad a couple of hours before you serve to allow the flavors to blend.
  • If the salad is too vinegary or tangy for your taste add a pinch of sugar or two. Add a little at a time. You can't take it out once it's in! For keto followers, make sure to use an Erythritol or other keto-friendly sugar substitutes.

Greek Salad Recipe FAQs

What are the ingredients of Greek Salad?

A traditional Greek salad usually contains green bell pepper, cucumber, onion, feta cheese, olives, and a zesty olive oil and vinegar salad dressing with herbs.

Of course, just like most recipes, there are many variations of this salad, and you can customize it to your exact tastes.

Does Greek salad contain lettuce?

This Greek salad recipe does not contain lettuce. Some recipes may call for it, however.

Is Greek salad healthy?

Yes, absolutely. Greek salad has only 255 calories per serving, it's gluten free, low carb, keto, and has no added sugar. It's chock full of vegetables, uses only healthy fats, and uses no artificial ingredients.

How many calories are in this Greek Salad recipe?

Our Greek salad recipe contains 255 calories per serving.

Can I make this salad recipe in advance?

Yes absolutely! You can make this salad up to one day in advance. I usually make about 3 to 4 hours before serving it, allowing the flavors to blend nicely.

What's on a greek salad?

Traditionally, a Greek-style vinaigrette is served on a Greek salad. It is usually made of olive oil, vinegar (often red wine), herbs, salt, and pepper.

A traditional Greek salad recipe usually contains cucumber, onion, green bell pepper, and feta cheese then it's tossed with dressing.

Is Greek salad keto?

Yes, as long as sugar is not added to the salad, this greek salad is keto.

What is the difference between a Greek and Mediterranean salad?

Greek salad and Mediterranean salad are basically the same thing. Both have feta cheese, olives, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, and a vinaigrette dressing that is typically made with olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, and often lemon juice and mustard.

Is feta cheese keto diet friendly?

Yes! Feta cheese is definitely keto diet friendly. 1 ounce of feta cheese has 5 grams of fat, 4 grams protein, and only 1 carb.

If you made this salad, I'd love for you to come back andgive the recipe a star rating and/or a review in the comments! 🙂Let's stay connected, so please share photos of your creations with me and others onInstagram,Facebook, andPinterest!

Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (7)

Best Greek Salad Recipe

This traditional Greek salad recipe is tasty and easy to make - it's fresh and healthy and full of fresh veggies, cheese, and the BEST greek salad dressing. Make it a meal-in-one by adding diced chicken, lamb, pork, or beef.

4.64 from 61 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

Author Kori

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Salads

Cuisine Greek

Servings 6 servings

Calories 255 kcal

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 green bell pepper (cut into 1" pieces)
  • ¾ English cucumber (hot house cucumber peeled, seeded, and quartered into 1" slices)
  • 5 roma tomatoes (cut into 1" pieces)
  • ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
  • ½ cup kalamata olives (whole and pitted)
  • 8 oz feta cheese (cut into ½" chunks)

Greek Salad Dressing

  • cup olive oil
  • tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • teaspoons dried oregano or 1½ tablespoons fresh
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

To Make The Dressing

  • Toss olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, dill, salt, and pepper into a small bowl and mix together.

To Make The Salad

  • Add bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, and cheese to a large bowl.Pour salad dressing over the top and mix ingredients. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

  • Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours for the flavors to blend.

Video

Notes

  • Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
  • I like using roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes because they aren't as juicy as other types of tomatoes which will help to keep the salad from becoming too runny.
  • You don't have to take the seeds out of the cucumber, but I do it to keep the salad from being too runny.
  • If you have time, you can make the dressing in advance and allow the flavors to blend. This dressing is also really good as a marinade or a simple salad dressing for a basic green salad. Yum.
  • If the salad is too vinegary or tangy for your taste add a pinch of sugar or two. Add a little at a time. You can't take it out once it's in! For keto followers, make sure to use a sugar substitute.
  • VARIATIONS: Add pasta to make this a Greek pasta salad. Use more or less of any ingredient you like. This salad is quite forgiving! Adjust seasoning before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 6gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 808mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

© 2024 Seeking Good Eats™

More Recipes To Love

Check out the fabulous Greek recipes, salads, and more!

  • The Best Greek Burger (Gyro Burger)
  • Air Fryer Lamb Chops Recipe
  • Authentic Tzatziki Recipe
  • Lemon Pepper Wings Air Fryer Recipe - add a little greek seasoning to these and make our Creamy Dill Dressing for dipping, and you will have a tasty meal!
  • Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
  • Zesty Italian Pasta Salad (with Pasta or Cauliflower)
  • Italian Antipasto Salad Recipe
  • Layered Salad (Layered Overnight Salad)
  • Grilled Romaine Hearts (Easy Grilling Recipe)
Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (2024)

FAQs

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 .

Why is a Greek salad so high in calories? ›

Feta, stuffed grape leaves and olives can add hundreds of extra calories and grams of fat. This salad may start with a 300-calorie base, but just the olive oil in the dressing racks up 200 calories. 2 ounces of feta adds another 150 calories.

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.

How do you keep Greek salad from getting soggy? ›

5 genius ways to keep your salads from getting soggy
  1. Avoid adding salt too soon. ...
  2. Leave it undressed. ...
  3. Remove excess moisture from high-water-content fruits and vegetables. ...
  4. Let your hot ingredients cool completely before adding them to the mix. ...
  5. The order in which you build a salad is key.
Apr 19, 2023

Will I lose weight if I eat Greek salad everyday? ›

"Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

What is the difference between a Greek salad and a 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.

What does Greek salad do to your body? ›

Greek salad is brimming with antioxidants like lycopene from tomatoes, polyphenols from olives, and vitamin C from bell peppers. These compounds combat free radicals, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and supporting youthful skin.

What to avoid in salad for weight loss? ›

Crunchy Noodles, Wontons, and Tortilla Strips

“Crunchy noodles are like eating chips,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D.N., creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author of Read It Before You Eat It. All they add to your salad are calories (around 120 per half cup) and fat (half of those calories, at around 60 grams).

Is feta cheese a healthy fat? ›

Contains beneficial fatty acids

Feta cheese contains good amounts of a fatty acid called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Animal studies suggest this fatty acid appears to improve body composition by reducing body fat and increasing lean mass. Cheese made from sheep's milk has higher levels of CLA.

Do people in Greece eat Greek salad? ›

Like Bulgarian Shopska or Italian Caprese, the classic table salad uses just a few humble ingredients, yet has become a totally iconic dish that's beloved around the world. In Greece, Horiatiki or Greek village salad, is served most often from early spring through summer and up until mid fall.

What is a Zeus salad? ›

Zeus Salad. Spring mix, bellpeppers, feta, pita chips, kalamata olives, artichokes and tomatoes.

How long does Greek salad last in the fridge? ›

In a large bowl toss together cucumbers, tomatoes, bell pepper, chickpeas, olives, red onion and parsley. Greek salad can stay last 4 days in fridge.

How do restaurants make salads so crisp? ›

The Keys to Crisp Lettuce

Lettuce actually needs a good amount of airflow, in addition to a bit of moisture (but not too much!), in order to stay crisp. That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow for air circulation while it's held in the fridge.

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.

Does Greek salad dressing go bad? ›

Information. Unopened jars of mayonnaise and salad dressing may be stored in the pantry. After opening, keep refrigerated up to 2 months. For more information, you may call the Food and Drug Administration's toll-free at 1-888-723-3366 or go to FDA's website.

Can you eat too much Greek salad? ›

Yes, eating too much salad can cause diarrhea in some cases. While salads are generally considered a healthy food choice, eating excessive amounts of raw vegetables, particularly if they are high in fiber, can lead to digestive problems.

Is it OK to eat feta everyday? ›

While feta cheese provides you with an excellent source of nutrients like calcium and protein, it also contains high amounts of sodium and saturated fat. Feta is lower in fat than many other cheeses, however, and is considered a reasonable option to eat in moderation.

How many times a week should you eat salad? ›

Eating a salad a few times a week can significantly increase your vegetable intake, providing more of the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Adding a salad to your meals every day is one of the simplest dietary changes you can make to improve your health.

How long can Greek salad last in the fridge? ›

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge. They will last for up to 3 days. If you plan on making Greek salad ahead, keep in mind the vinaigrette will have a very light pickling effect on the veggies.

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