The Best Greek Salad Recipe (Easy and Delicious)

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Every single pregnancy, I have experienced extreme morning sickness. I mean the kind of morning sickness that lasts from 5 weeks gestation to the day after my baby is born. For some reason, maybe it’s my Greek roots, but I always crave this Greek Salad Recipe. I have tried ordering Greek Salad takeout, and that can be hit or miss, but having this simple, delicious and easy to throw together greek salad recipe was literally a lifeline to me on those days when I couldn’t fathom eating anything else

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Why You’ll Love This Greek Salad

This Greek Salad recipe is so simple to make, with inexpensive ingredients! Most importantly, it is authentic to traditional Greek cuisine (minus the lettuce, but we will talk about that in just a bit.) I couldn’t invite my Greek dad, aunts, and cousins over and serve them anything less than authentic! Food is a big deal to us Greeks 😉

Greek Salad Ingredient List

Lettuce

Actually, the traditional greek salad that this recipe makes is called Salata Horiatiki, which does not have any lettuce in it. I love including lettuce for the crunch and as a Greek American that is what I always grew up with.  feel free to leave out the lettuce for a more authentic salad. 

Feta Cheese

You can use block or crumbled feta cheese. To save time, I like to use crumbled, but if you’re aiming for authenticity, go for a block of feta and break it up into chunks yourself.

Kalamata Olives

I am sorry, but Kalamata olives are a must. I love giving Real and Rustic readers flexibility and typically encourage using what you have on hand. I cannot do this here, it goes against my Greek nature, and my Yaya would be incredibly upset with me. So, just buy the kalamata olives.

Tomatoes

Juicy, ripe tomatoes are a non-negotiable here. I recommend using cherry tomatoes or Roma tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.

Cucumber

A crisp cucumber adds the perfect refreshing crunch. Persian or English cucumbers are ideal since they have thinner skin and fewer seeds.

Red Wine Vinegar, Or Lemons

For the dressing, I love using red wine vinegar, but freshly squeezed lemon juice is also a fantastic, tangy alternative.

Tools and Equipment To Make Greek Salad

As I have said many times before, I love a good recipe that uses basic kitchen supplies that everyone has on hand. For this greek salad recipe, all you need are a few staple things to make it.

Mixing Bowl

I love a mixing bowl like this one that is large, functional, but also beautiful enough to serve in as well!

Knife

Having a good quality knife set is a right of passage. I saved up for over a year when I was a young wife to buy this set of J.A. Henckles knives and they are still serving our family, 15 years later.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Dressing

Start by making the Greek salad dressing. In a tightly covered container, combine ¼ cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice (or red wine vinegar), 1 ½ teaspoons of Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon of sugar (if using), ¼ teaspoon of salt, and ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper. Shake the container vigorously until the ingredients are well combined and emulsified.

If you don’t have a container with a lid, you can whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl or jar. For the best flavor, taste and adjust the seasoning after shaking—add a pinch more salt or a squeeze of lemon if needed.

Prep the Salad Base

In a large salad bowl, layer 5 cups of fresh baby spinach leaves and one head of butter lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces. This combination creates a soft yet slightly crisp base for your salad. Make sure to rinse and dry the greens thoroughly to avoid a soggy salad. A salad spinner works wonders here!

Add the Vegetables and Feta

Top the greens with the prepared vegetables. For the most authentic flavor, use ripe, in-season tomatoes and Persian or English cucumbers, as they are sweeter and less bitter than traditional varieties.

Toss and Dress

Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad. Gently toss everything together to coat the greens and vegetables evenly without crushing the ingredients.

Make Ahead Option: If you’re serving this salad later, keep the dressing separate until just before serving to maintain the crispness of the lettuce and spinach.

Serve and Enjoy

Serve the salad immediately as a side or light main dish. This Greek salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, lamb, or warm pita bread on the side.

For a rustic presentation, serve the salad in a large, shallow bowl with the dressing drizzled on top, letting guests toss their own portions at the table.

Greek Salad Recipe Card