Authentic Greek salad (Horiatiki) is a classic salad made with fresh tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta cheese, and a simple olive oil dressing. This Mediterranean salad is refreshing and ready in just 15 minutes. One of the best summer side dishes.
Don't miss out on some of the best summer recipes, quinoa salads.
Horiatiki Salad
Greek salad, also known as horiatiki salad, peasant salad, or village salad, is naturally gluten-free, quick and easy to prepare, and made with fresh summer vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers.
What I love about this salad is that it does not have any greens - lettuce, spinach, kale, or arugula. One of the best ways to highlight all peak summertime veggies. Since no cooking and minimal prep (just simple chopping and mixing) are involved, the time you spend in the kitchen on hot days is reduced.
If you are looking for a light, refreshing lunch, a simple side dish, or a fresh summer salad, then this traditional Greek salad recipe is for you. One of the best make-ahead salad recipes and travels well, making it the best option for potlucks, picnics, BBQs, or a 4th of July party.
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Ingredients
Fresh vegetables: cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions.
Herb: cilantro, parsley, basil, or oregano.
Fruit: Olives.
Cheese: feta cheese, crumbled or block.
Greek salad dressing: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
Check out the recipe card for the full list of ingredients.
How to make a Greek salad?
- In a large salad bowl, combine cucumber, tomato, onion, olives, cilantro, and feta cheese.
- In another bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour this dressing over the salad.
- Toss and serve immediately for fresh flavor.
Tips
- You can add bell peppers (yellow or red), caper berries (capers), chickpeas (for extra protein), or avocado.
- Traditional Greek salad uses cubes of feta cheese instead of crumbled feta.
- In American-style Greek salad, lettuce, pepperoni, radishes, anchovies (sardines), and dolmades, beets are common.
- For the dressing or seasoning, you can add your favorite herbs and spices if desired.
- Vary the ingredient amounts as you like.
Serving suggestions
- Greek salad can be served as a side with a bowl of soup, a slice of bread like tomato basil bread, a margherita sandwich, or grilled meat like chicken tikka or tangdi kebab.
- Tastes great with falafel, hummus, pita bread, or a pita sandwich or Mediterranean rice.
- But on hot days, I really like to have a big bowl of this cold salad mixed with cooked quinoa or couscous for a light and satisfying meal.
- Also serves as a side with any pizza (bianca pizza or five cheese pizza), pasta (tomato basil orzo, lemon orzo), or any vegetarian entrée.
Make-ahead and Store
Greek Salad tastes best when served fresh. If there are any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
All you have to do is chop the veggies and keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just before you are ready to serve, add the dressing and toss.
Recipe FAQS
Greek salad, popularly known as Horiatiki in Greece, is a fresh salad made with onions, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, and an olive oil dressing.
Horiatiki means "village-style" or "peasant-style" in Greek. The word comes from horiatis, meaning villager or person from the countryside. Authentic horiatiki salad does not contain lettuce.
More summer salad recipes
Recipe card
Easy Greek Salad (Horiatiki) | Mediterranean Salad
Ingredients
- 2 medium Cucumbers , sliced or cubed
- 1 Bell pepper , sliced optional
- 2 Tomatoes , cubed
- 1 Onion , cubed
- ¼ cup Olives , chopped
- ⅓ cup Feta cheese , crumbled
- 1 to 2 tablespoon Cilantro or coriander leaves, chopped (or mint leaves or parsley)
For the greek salad dressing
- 3 to 4 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Lemon juice red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder (or 1 minced garlic clove)
- ½ teaspoon Dried oregano
- Salt , to taste
- Pepper , to taste
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, combine cucumber, tomato, onion, olives, cilantro, and feta cheese.2 medium Cucumbers, 2 Tomatoes, 1 Onion, ¼ cup Olives, ⅓ cup Feta cheese, 1 to 2 tbsp Cilantro, 1 Bell pepper
- In another bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour this dressing over the salad.3 to 4 tbsp Olive oil, 2 tbsp Lemon juice, ½ tsp Garlic powder, Salt, Pepper, ½ tsp Dried oregano
- Toss and serve immediately for fresh flavor.
Notes
- You can add bell peppers (yellow or red), caper berries (capers), chickpeas (for extra protein), or avocado.
- Traditional Greek salad uses cubes of feta cheese instead of crumbled feta.
- In American-style Greek salad, lettuce, pepperoni, radishes, anchovies (sardines), and dolmades, beets are common.
- For the dressing or seasoning, you can add your favorite herbs and spices if desired.
- Vary the ingredient amounts as you like.
- If you do not have feta cheese, consider substituting it with Halloumi, ricotta, labneh, cottage cheese, parmesan, etc.
Nutrition
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Note: We originally posted this Greek village-style salad in June 2021. It has now been modified in June 2026 with Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.
Julia says
Greek salad was so good! Thank you for the recipe, definetly making this again!
Emily says
I love this fresh and delicious salad! Perfect for summer! This recipe will be on repeat all summer long.