Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki)

Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki) 🇬🇷

A vibrant, no-lettuce salad bursting with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and creamy feta—drizzled with olive oil and oregano. Authentic and refreshing!

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges

• 1 English cucumber, partially peeled & sliced into half-moons

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced into rings

• ½ red onion, thinly sliced

• Handful of Kalamata olives (or other brine-cured olives)

• 200g (7 oz) Greek feta cheese, cut into slabs (never crumbled!)

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil

• 1–2 tbsp red wine vinegar

• Pinch of kosher salt

(Optional: 1 tsp capers or a sprinkle of fresh parsley.)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables

1. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion.

2. Scatter olives over the top.

2. Add the Feta

• Place the slab of feta on top of the veggies (traditionally, it’s added whole, not mixed in).

3. Season & Serve

1. Sprinkle with oregano and a pinch of salt.

2. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar (just before serving to keep veggies crisp).

3. Toss gently at the table to combine.

Tips

🍅 Authentic touch: Use heirloom tomatoes and Cretan oregano if possible.
🧀 Feta rules: Never use pre-crumbled feta—it’s drier and less flavorful.
⏳ Make ahead: Prep veggies (except tomatoes) and refrigerate; assemble last minute.
🥖 Serve with: Crusty bread to soak up the olive oil!

A taste of the Mediterranean in 10 minutes! 😍

(Fun fact: In Greece, this salad is called “Horiatiki” (χωριάτικη), meaning “village-style.”)