Description
This Easy Greek Salad recipe is a vibrant combination of fresh vegetables, creamy feta cheese, and tangy Kalamata olives, all tossed in a zesty lemon-oregano dressing. Ready in just 5 minutes, it’s a perfect refreshing side dish or light meal inspired by classic Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Dressing
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano leaves
- 2 garlic cloves (minced or grated)
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salad
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved) or 1 pound garden tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 English cucumber or 4 garden cucumbers (sliced into 1/2 inch-thick half-moons)
- 1 bell pepper (any color, stemmed and seeded)
- 6 oz feta cheese (diced from a block or crumbled, about 1 cup)
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives (halved or roughly chopped)
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl or resealable mason jar, combine the lemon juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously while slowly adding the extra-virgin olive oil until the dressing is emulsified. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Prepare the salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes (or chopped garden tomatoes), sliced cucumber, chopped bell pepper, diced or crumbled feta cheese, halved Kalamata olives, and thinly sliced red onion. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Dress and serve: Just before serving, pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss carefully to coat all the vegetables and cheese with the flavorful dressing. This salad tastes best if enjoyed within 2-3 hours of adding the dressing to preserve freshness and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust salt according to the saltiness of your feta cheese and olives.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative.
- The salad can be made ahead but add dressing right before serving to keep vegetables crisp.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.