Bring a Taste of Greece To Your Table: My Go-To Authentic Greek Salad Recipe 🌞🥗
Hey food lovers! Chef Alex here, welcoming you back to my cozy kitchen hangout. You know, as a chef and foodie traveler, there are certain culinary moments that stick in my mind forever. Let me share one of those unforgettable experiences with you—and teach you how to recreate it at home!
The Moment Greece Won My Heart 💙✨
I still vividly remember my first trip to Greece. Picture this: I’m lounging on a quaint little terrace at a seaside café on the island of Santorini, overlooking the sparkling blue Aegean Sea. The water was gleaming, the skies bright and the breeze warm against my skin—an idyllic setting that felt like stepping into a beautiful dream. I ordered a simple Greek salad, because hey, when you’re in Greece, why wouldn’t you?
When it arrived, I was amazed by its beauty: vibrant reds of ripe tomatoes, gorgeous vivid greens of cucumber and peppers, and generous chunks of fresh feta cheese gleamed enticingly. The first bite was an explosion of freshness—a celebration of sunshine, tradition, and simplicity on my plate. It was LOVE at first bite—literally. Ever since, this authentic Greek salad has been one of my favorite dishes to whip up at home to relive those sweet memories.
Authentic Greek Salad Recipe
Ready to bring the Mediterranean into your kitchen? Let’s jump into this easy and super delicious recipe!
🥗 Ingredients (Serves 4)
Let’s ensure you’ve got everything at hand—your healthy Mediterranean feast awaits!
Veggies:
– 3 medium tomatoes or about 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, juicy and ripe!
– 1 English cucumber (or 3 smaller Persian/Lebanese cucumbers), crisp and cool
– ½ small red onion—thinly sliced, bringing that gentle bite
– 1 medium green bell pepper (or pick another color if green isn’t your thing!)
– 8 oz (250g) creamy, fresh feta cheese block
– 4 oz (125g) authentic kalamata olives, for that mouthwatering briny savoriness
Greek Dressing:
– ¼ cup extra virgin Greek olive oil, fragrant and rich
– 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or fresh lemon juice)
– ¼ teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
– ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano – the delicious hint of Greek flavor!
👩🍳 Directions To Greek Salad Heaven (Easy Step-by-Step!)
Step 1: Chop Those Veggies & Cheese!
Start by prepping your veggies into nice, chunky bites. Cut tomatoes into wedges or halve cherry tomatoes. Peel cucumber if desired (though I generally leave mine skin-on for added color and crunch!) and slice into half-moons. Thinly slice the red onions, and cube up your bell peppers for that extra crunch factor. Chunk up the feta cheese into large, satisfying bites—you deserve it!
Step 2: Whip Up the Dressing
Grab a small bowl and your whisk. Now combine olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Whisk it lightly—no fancy techniques here—just make sure everything blends well.
Step 3: Mix & Match Your Greek Salad
In a large salad bowl, lovingly throw in all those beautifully chopped veggies, then scatter in those rich kalamata olives. Drizzle your homemade dressing all over the vibrant salad. Almost there!
Step 4: Toss & Enjoy!
Gently toss your salad until every ingredient is perfectly coated, gleaming, and ready to devour. Seriously, how gorgeous does that look? Now grab a serving spoon, fill your bowl generously, and dive headfirst into Mediterranean happiness!
🌞 Serving Suggestions
This salad goes perfectly as a refreshing side dish for a family BBQ, grilled meats or seafood, or as a delightful, light main meal paired with crispy warm bread. Plus, it’s the ultimate lunchtime lifesaver: quick to prep and so vibrant you’ll feel excited to dig in anywhere!
🔥 Chef Alex’s Pro Tips & Tricks!
Here are my personal pro chef tips that’ll elevate your Greek salad from delicious to downright irresistible:
– Invest in great quality extra virgin olive oil and feta cheese—they’re the real heroes in this dish.
– Always try using fresh farmer’s market tomatoes or heirloom varieties for maximum flavor.
– Don’t dice ingredients too small; Greek salad is all about rustic charm, chunky veggies, and unapologetic flavor!
– To mellow out the raw onion’s sharpness, quickly rinse or soak the onion slices in ice-cold water for 5 minutes before adding to the salad.
– Keep your feta cheese refrigerated until you’re ready to serve—the contrast gives your salad that classic Mediterranean coolness.
📊 Nutrition & Prep Info
Quick-cooking and good-for-you. It can’t get better than this.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: Less than 10 minutes
Calories per serving: Approximately 353 kcal
Proteins: Around 10 grams
Carbs: 13 grams
Healthy Fats: 30 grams
Not only does this Greek salad tick all the taste boxes—it’s equally packed full of nutrients. Rich in vitamin C from veggies, calcium from feta to strengthen bones, and heart-healthy fats from olives and olive oil.
Let’s Wrap This Up & Start Cooking! 💪👨🍳
And there you have it, foodie friends! A little piece of Greece right inside your kitchen. This authentic Greek Salad isn’t simply a salad; it’s freshness, sunshine, and footsteps on the sands of Mediterranean beaches. Whether you’re reminiscing about Greek vacations or dreaming of a future trip—I promise, this salad will transport you across the world in just one bite.
Enjoyed this recipe? Can’t wait to hear your thoughts—snap a picture and tag me or leave a comment below! Happy cooking all my chef buddies—till next time, stay delicious!
Your kitchen buddy,
Chef Alex 🍅🫒🥒✨
