Greek Salad

by Paige Russell

14K11214

Intro: Greek Salad

This is an easy and delicious recipe for a traditional Greek salad. Growing up, when I ordered Greek salad in a restaurant, this is how it came. I'm not sure when lettuce got introduced into the mix here in North America (my guess is that it's used as filler to cut costs), but in my opinion it has no business being on my plate when all I want is the vine ripened tomatoes, crispy cucumbers, fresh from the brine kalamata olives, sweet onion, and salty feta cheese.

So from now on, I make my own.

STEP 1: Ingredient List

Serves 6-8

8-10 medium vine ripened tomatoes
1 small red onion
1 cup pitted kalamata olives
3 medium cucumbers
8-12 oz block of Greek feta packed in brine*
dried oregano
fresh oregano (optional garnish)
red wine vinegar
good quality extra-virgin olive oil**
kosher salt

*I like LOTS of cheese, so adjust amount according to taste.

**I used an amazingly delicious oil made by dear friends of mine, Other Brother Co. I recommend trying it!

STEP 2: Prep the Onions

  • Slice the onion in half and then into thin slices
  • Place the pieces in ice water for 10 minutes*
  • Prepare the rest of the ingredients while these are soaking

*To learn why this is done and one more method that results in softer/sweeter onions, click here.

STEP 3: Prep the Cucumbers

  • Peel
  • Cut in half lengthwise
  • Cut of the ends
  • Slice into 1/2" pieces
  • Place pieces in a bowl and set aside

STEP 4: Prep the Tomatoes

  • Wash
  • Cut into 4-6 wedges (depending on size)
  • Cut the wedges in half
  • Place pieces in a bowl and set aside

STEP 5: Prep the Cheese

  • Cut block in half
  • Cut both pieces down the middle to create 4 thinner pieces
  • Put slices in bowl and set aside

STEP 6: Prep the Olives

Drain the olives and pit them if necessary.

STEP 7: Build Your Salad

In a large, shallow serving bowl:

  • Add the cucumber and tomato slices
  • Gently mix
  • Add the olives
  • Drain and add the onions
  • Drizzle with olive oil and a splash of vinegar
  • Sprinkle a light dusting of salt
  • Sprinkle a generous amount of dried oregano
  • Garnish with fresh oregano

STEP 8: And Serve!

Now just close your eyes and imaging you're eating this on the balcony of a white washed bungalow overlooking the Mediterranean sea. Opa!

14 Comments

AngieW114 8 years ago

I'm Greek and I've never seen it with vinegar(!), nor have I ever had it with chilled(what the..?) onions, and we don't normally peel the cucumbers (except if we don't trust the farmer and the cucumber 'stinks' chemicals or the skin just doesn't look OK), and it's usually done with common tomatoes. We also add green pepper and sometimes capers.. Other than that it's OK.

Native Greek -born and raised- from southern Greece (Peloponnese region).

michael.didier.39 8 years ago

In Chicago where it seems plenty of Greeks moved here AND have a strong presence

and plenty of restaurants here. Red Onions are commonly used, Anchovies, Cucumbers peeled partially, some lettuce, some purple like cabbage, and greek oregano otherwise you may be getting mexican oregano. Good greek dressing I am still looking for.... its a big secret seemingly... 'may have white pepper, yogurt, lemon juice, dry garlic (as it keeps better), sea salt, oregano.... still hunting.

Happy New Year

Jackassofalltrades 8 years ago

Couldn't agree more. I'm not Greek, but I lived in the Northern Sporades for two years. Pretty much the same there: no peeled cucumbers and especially no vinegar but some lemon juice sprinkled over it.

DanT2 8 years ago

I tried it out yesterday. the onion trick was awesome. It stopped them from taking over. Thanks! Next time with lamb or souvlaki!

ynns1 8 years ago

This is the exact same recipe for our everyday salad and I'm Greek!

Mickleblade 8 years ago

I remember visiting the US on business 15 yrs ago and seeing lettuce in greek salad, yuk! The americans I was with had no idea what it should be like.

Attmos 8 years ago

MMMMmmmmmmmmmmm! Greek Salad!!!!!!!!

loboat 8 years ago

It looks soooo good! You're making me hungry ^^

jessyratfink 8 years ago

Sad I missed this! It looks sooooooo good. :)