Horiatiki (Greek Salad)

This authentic Greek salad is pure sunshine on a plate! Anyone who loves fresh, vibrant flavors will absolutely adore this traditional horiatiki. The best part is it takes just 20 minutes to make this healthy, satisfying dish.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 20 minutes, Total Time: 20 minutes, Serves: 4 people.

Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Vegetarian, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Calorie.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 189 Calories, 16g Fat, 8g Carbs, 4g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Extra-virgin olive oil: You’ll need 3 tablespoons of the good stuff. This is what makes the whole salad taste amazing and gives it that authentic Greek flavor.

Lemon juice: Just 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice adds the perfect bright, tangy kick. Fresh is always best, but bottled works too!

Red-wine vinegar: One tablespoon brings that lovely depth of flavor. It pairs beautifully with the lemon juice.

Dried oregano: A teaspoon of this herb is what makes it taste truly Greek. Don’t skip this one – it’s super important!

Salt and pepper: You’ll need ¼ teaspoon of each. Simple seasonings that bring everything together perfectly.

Ripe tomatoes: Two medium tomatoes cut into ¾-inch pieces. Make sure they’re nice and ripe for the best flavor.

Cucumber: About 1½ cups diced into ¾-inch pieces. The crunch is so refreshing and adds great texture.

Green bell pepper: One cup diced up gives you that classic Greek salad crunch. Any color bell pepper works great!

Red onion: Just ⅓ cup thinly sliced adds the perfect bite. Red onion is milder and looks prettier than white.

Kalamata olives: ¼ cup quartered and pitted. These dark, rich olives are traditional and so flavorful.

Feta cheese: ½ cup diced (about 2½ ounces). This creamy, tangy cheese is what makes the salad extra special.

How to Make Horiatiki (Greek Salad)

Step 1: Grab a large bowl and whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and red-wine vinegar. Add the oregano, salt, and pepper to make your dressing. Mix it up really well so everything combines nicely.

Step 2: Add all your chopped vegetables to the bowl. Toss in the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion first. Then add the quartered olives and diced feta cheese.

Step 3: Gently toss everything together until all the vegetables and cheese are coated with that delicious dressing. Serve right away while everything is fresh and crisp!

Easy and Quick Horiatiki Version

Want to make this even faster? You can buy pre-cut vegetables from the salad bar at your grocery store! Just grab diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Mix with store-bought Greek dressing and add your olives and feta. You’ll have this ready in under 10 minutes!

Serving Ideas

This horiatiki makes a complete light meal all by itself. Serve it with warm pita bread or crusty Greek bread on the side. It’s also amazing alongside grilled chicken or lamb for a heartier dinner.

Storage

This salad is best eaten fresh, but you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep it covered in an airtight container. The vegetables might release some juice, so just give it a good stir before serving again.

Substitutions

No Kalamata olives? Regular black olives work just fine. Can’t find feta cheese? Try goat cheese or even fresh mozzarella. You can swap the red onion for white onion if that’s what you have. No worries – it’ll still taste great!

Pro Tips

• Choose ripe tomatoes: This makes all the difference in flavor. They should give slightly when you press them.
• Salt the tomatoes: Sprinkle a little extra salt on your diced tomatoes 10 minutes before mixing. This draws out amazing flavor!
• Use good olive oil: Since it’s such a simple salad, quality olive oil really shines through.
• Let it sit: If you have time, let the salad sit for 15 minutes before serving. The flavors get even better!

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

You bet! You can prep all the vegetables and store them separately up to a day ahead. Just mix everything together with the dressing right before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.

Why doesn’t this Greek salad have lettuce?

Great question! Traditional horiatiki never has lettuce. It’s all about the tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, olives, and feta. That’s what makes it authentic Greek style!

Can I use a different type of vinegar?

Sure! White wine vinegar or even regular white vinegar works fine. Red-wine vinegar just gives it that traditional Greek taste, but use whatever you have on hand.

How do I know if my feta is good quality?

Look for feta that’s stored in brine (salty water) rather than vacuum-packed. It should be creamy white and crumble nicely. Greek or Bulgarian feta tends to have the best flavor!

Final Thoughts

I hope you love this simple, fresh horiatiki as much as my family does! It’s one of those recipes that tastes like summer no matter what time of year you make it. Let me know how yours turns out – I’d love to hear about it!