Meta Description: Learn how to make an authentic Greek salad with lemon vinaigrette. This easy, fresh recipe is packed with crisp vegetables, salty feta cheese, and a zesty dressing for a perfect light meal.
I’ll never forget the first time I had a truly authentic Greek salad. For most of my life, my experience with salads was limited to a bowl of lettuce with a few tomatoes and a creamy, store-bought dressing. They were fine, but they never felt like a meal. Then, one summer, I was traveling in a small village on a Greek island. I sat down at a small, family-owned tavern, and the owner brought out a beautiful, rustic salad. There was no lettuce in sight! Instead, the bowl was filled with large chunks of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, a generous slice of feta cheese, and a few kalamata olives. It was drizzled with a simple dressing that smelled of fresh lemon and olive oil.
That first bite was a revelation. The sweet, juicy tomatoes were the perfect contrast to the crisp cucumbers and the salty feta. The simple dressing was bright and zesty, and it perfectly complemented all of the fresh ingredients. It was a complete meal in itself, and it tasted like a sunny day on the Mediterranean. From that day on, Greek salad with lemon vinaigrette became my go-to recipe for a light, elegant, and incredibly flavorful meal. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need a lot of ingredients to create something truly special. This recipe is a perfect solution for a comforting meal that feels special but is simple to prepare. So, let’s get chopping! 😋
The Ultimate Greek Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
This recipe is a perfect blend of crisp, fresh vegetables and savory, salty flavors. The Greek salad is a celebration of simple, high-quality ingredients.1 We’ll combine ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sharp red onion, briny olives, and a beautiful block of feta cheese, all tied together with a zesty, homemade lemon vinaigrette.
✅ Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 large or 2 medium cucumbers, chopped
- 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper (green or red), chopped
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives
- 1 block of feta cheese (about 6-8 ounces)
- Optional: A few sprigs of fresh oregano
For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup high-quality olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
🌟 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
1. Prepare the Vegetables:
First, chop your cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell pepper into roughly 1-inch chunks. Place them in a large salad bowl. The rustic, chunky cuts are a key part of an authentic Greek salad! Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the bowl. The red onion adds a nice, sharp bite that is a perfect contrast to the sweetness of the other vegetables.
2. Make the Lemon Vinaigrette:
In a small bowl, whisk together the high-quality olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. The dried oregano is a key ingredient, as it gives the dressing that classic Greek flavor.2 Whisk until the dressing is well combined. Taste it and adjust the seasoning as needed. The lemon juice should be bright and tangy.
3. Assemble the Salad:
Add the pitted kalamata olives to the bowl with the vegetables. Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the top of the salad and gently toss to combine. You want to coat everything lightly without bruising the vegetables.
4. Add the Feta and Garnish:
Place the entire block of feta cheese right on top of the salad. Traditionally, the feta is not crumbled in the salad but rather placed in a large block on top. The eater can then break off a piece with their fork and mix it in with the vegetables and dressing. For a final touch, you can sprinkle some fresh oregano over the top.
5. Serve and Enjoy!
Serve the Greek salad with lemon vinaigrette immediately. This salad is best enjoyed fresh, while the vegetables are still crisp and the dressing is zesty. You can serve it as a main course or as a light and refreshing side dish.
🥗 Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount per serving (approx.) |
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 10 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Carbs | 15 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Note: Nutritional values can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.
Your Questions Answered 💬
Simple recipes can still have big questions! Here are some common inquiries about this delicious Greek salad with lemon vinaigrette.
What’s the best way to choose a tomato for this salad?
Look for a ripe, firm, and juicy tomato. Heirloom or on-the-vine tomatoes are excellent choices because they are full of flavor. The quality of your tomatoes will make a huge difference in the final taste of your salad, so be sure to choose the best you can find. For more on the health benefits of olive oil, you can check out resources from reputable health and nutrition organizations.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can definitely prep the vegetables in advance. You can chop the cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day. You can also make the dressing and store it in a jar. However, it’s best to assemble the salad just before you are ready to eat it. The vegetables can get soggy if the dressing is on them for too long.
What’s the difference between Greek oregano and regular oregano?
Greek oregano has a stronger, more robust, and slightly peppery flavor than the common oregano found in most grocery stores. It’s a key ingredient in authentic Greek cooking. If you can find it, it’s worth it for the added flavor. If not, don’t worry—the regular dried oregano will work just fine.
🌟 Variations and Serving Suggestions
This recipe is a wonderful base for creativity. Feel free to use it as a starting point and get creative with your own additions and twists.
- Add a Protein: To turn this into a heartier meal, you can add a protein.3 Grilled chicken, salmon, or a seared steak would all be wonderful additions. You can also add some cooked chickpeas or lentils for a plant-based protein boost.
- Add More Veggies: You can easily add more vegetables to the salad. Finely chopped parsley, some thin slices of cucumber, or even some roasted red peppers would be delicious.
- Different Cheeses: While feta is the classic choice, you can also use a different cheese.4 A few pieces of crumbled goat cheese or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan would be delicious.
- Change the Dressing: If you want a creamier dressing, you can add a tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt to the vinaigrette.5 This will give it a richer texture without a lot of extra fat.
- Make it a Wrap: You can easily turn this salad into a wrap. Just place a few spoonfuls of the salad mixture in a warm pita or a tortilla and roll it up. It’s a perfect light and easy lunch.
Perfect Pairings
This Greek salad with lemon vinaigrette is a complete meal in itself, but it pairs beautifully with a few simple sides. A side of warm pita bread or a crusty loaf of ciabatta would be a perfect complement. A bowl of hummus or a side of tzatziki sauce would also be wonderful. For a beverage, a glass of chilled white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or a light, refreshing beer would be a great match for the zesty, fresh flavors.
The Joy of Simple and Fresh
There’s a certain kind of joy that comes from taking a dish that seems simple and making it your own. This Greek salad with lemon vinaigrette is a perfect example of that. It takes a handful of simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time and turns them into a masterpiece of flavor and texture. The crisp vegetables, the salty feta, and the zesty dressing all come together in a symphony of flavors that is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
This recipe is proof that you don’t need a lot of time or fancy tools to create a memorable meal. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, a fun weekend lunch, or a simple way to add more fresh ingredients to your plate. So, go ahead and give it a try. I hope you enjoy the process and the result as much as I do! I’d love to hear how your Greek salad turns out. What are your favorite salad toppings?
