This classic Greek salad is a crowd pleaser perfect for summer parties, picnics and barbecues. An easy, flavorful recipe that comes together in no time at all.
After an extremely mild spring, we’ve been hit with a fierce heat wave in Los Angeles – it was 105 degrees today and is supposed to be 108 tomorrow. It’s much too hot to cook, so this Greek salad is the perfect, easy salad to make on a boiling, hot day.
I’m a big Greek salad fan – I love the combination of flavors – it’s crunchy, salty, sweet and tangy all at the same time. And I love how easy it is to make. Just give everything a rough chop and toss it with a vinaigrette and you’re done.
Usually the feta I buy is very crumbly but I found a traditional Greek feta at Whole Foods that was firmer and doesn’t fall apart when tossed with the other ingredients – so check your local market to see if they have a traditional Greek feta in stock. No worries if you can’t find it, a crumbly feta will still be delicious.
A classic Greek salad usually uses green bell peppers, but I went with yellow bell peppers instead because I love the color contrast. If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know I like my food bright and colorful.
A couple of notes:
- Try and chop all your vegetables the same size, into a large dice.
- I used an English cucumber, which has a thinner skin and smaller seeds than a regular cucumber – so there’s no need to peel and deseed. If you use a regular cucumber, you’ll want to remove the peel (which has been waxed) and seeds.
Greek Salad
A classic Greek salad perfect for summer parties, picnics and barbecues. An easy, flavorful salad that comes together in no time at all.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 to 4 1x
Ingredients
- Greek Salad
- 2 cups (1 pint) of cherry tomatoes – sliced in half
- 1 English cucumber – Sliced in half lengthwise and then sliced into half moons.
- 1 yellow bell pepper – seeds and stem removed – roughly chopped into a large dice
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives – I used the kind that had the pits removed – roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion – thinly sliced
- 4 oz Feta cheese – chopped up into cubes
- Dressing
- 1 to 2 Tbs fresh oregano – minced
- 1 small clove of garlic – minced
- 3 Tbs olive oil
- 1 Tbs red wine vinegar
- 6 twists of black pepper
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Roughly chop the tomatoes, cucumbers, yellow bell pepper and feta – all the ingredients should be diced about the same size.
- Slice the red onion into thin slices.
- Roughly chop the kalamata olives.
- Make dressing by whisking together dressing ingredients.
- Gently toss the vegetables, feta, red onion and dressing in a large bowl to combine.
Sheila
Just looking at the pictures, I can almost imagine summer in Greece.Lovely vegetable combination.
★★★★★
Geraldine
I’ve never been to Greece but I’d love to go sometime. Thanks for leaving a comment and rating!
Rachel @ Bakerita
What a beautiful salad! I’ve always adored Greek salads, and I’ve fallen even more in love since my recent trip to Greece. This is so colorful and flavorful. It’s definitely getting made for dinner before summer is over!
Geraldine
I’m envious of your trip to Greece – it must have been beautiful, Rachel!
Julia | Orchard Street Kitchen
I love Greek salads too, Geraldine! Yours looks gorgeous (and I love that you used a yellow bell pepper for more color). I don’t blame you for wanting cool, refreshing foods like these when it’s so hot out! We’re still in the middle of our chilly summer up here, but I’m hoping it will warm up soon. When it does, I’ll be making this!
Geraldine
Thanks, Julia. Didn’t realize that you haven’t had any super warm temperatures – it’s funny how different the weather is even though we both live in the same state!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
That’s hot! I hope you get some cooler temps soon. This salad will help keep you cool! I love Greek salads. This looks beautiful and delicious!
Geraldine
Thanks, Kathy!!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron
I am craving a big bowl of greek salad right now! I am a huge fan 🙂 Looks delicious!
Geraldine
Thanks so much, Denise – I’m with you – I could eat the whole thing by myself 🙂
Lynn | The Road to Honey
Wow! Those temps are insane Geraldine. I can see why you decided to give your a little siesta. This salad is such a fantastic way to beat the heat. Greek salads are one of my favs.
Geraldine
Thanks so much, Lynn!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Yikes! That is way too hot! I am with you with only wanting to eat salads during the summer. This Greek salad looks like a winner! I love all the bright colors and fresh veggies! Stay cool!
Geraldine
Salads are definitely the way to go, Kathy! It’s cooled down a bit – but we’re getting another heatwave this weekend.
Kankana
One of my favourite and may be that’s because of feta 😀 That could be my meal!
Geraldine
I totally agree, Kankana – I just love feta! Thanks so much for leaving a comment.
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I could eat this gorgeous Greek salad all day and night! This salad would make me forget all about the heat! So fresh and bright! The perfect antidote to hot and stifling! Well done, my friend!
Geraldine
Thanks, Annie – definitely a summer favorite for me!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
I’d die in that kind of heat, Geraldine. That is just awful. I hope you’ve been able to stay cool.. eating lots of salad and drinking plenty of water. Augh. This salad is gorgeous and I agree.. the contrast of the yellow bell is eye catching! I want to dig in! Gorgeous work!
Geraldine
It was pretty brutal yesterday, Traci – I was very worried for my (old) AC system. We’ve had such a mild spring – so yesterday was a bit of a shocker. I need some of that delicious boozy ice cream you just shared!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners
Such a beautiful salad, Geraldine! Love the combo of these ingredients and I can never get enough feta! So colourful and fun! Sharing 🙂
Geraldine
Thanks so much, Robyn – I’d put feta on everything if I could – and thanks for sharing – I appreciate it!
Sarah | Well and Full
There’s this Greek Gyro place I used to go to near my old work, and they had the best salad, which was almost identical to this! It brings back great memories of enjoying a flavorful salad, sitting outside in the summer on my lunch break 🙂
Geraldine
Thanks, Sarah. Isn’t it amazing how food brings back so many wonderful memories!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Woa! WAYYYY too hot in LA!! It’s hot here, but not nearly as hot as you guys are. I am not jealous. 😉 I’m thinking eating this amazing Greek salad on repeat is going to be necessary this summer, Geraldine… along with some ice cream and popsicles of course! Greek salads are so delicious and yours is just gorgeous! Absolutely perfect for summer! Cheers, friend and stay indoors! Turn up that AC. 😉
Geraldine
Thanks, Cheyanne – hopefully this is the start of a crazy, hot summer – my poor garden is suffering terribly – it’s just too darn hot! And I’ll have to make some of those gorgeous popsicles that you shared yesterday!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Just the perfect summer salad Geraldine, especially when the temps are high and you don’t want to have to turn on the oven to cook. Love the colors! So summery! Thanks for sharing!
Geraldine
Thanks, Mary Ann! Definitely not a day to turn on the oven. It’s so hot here all the plants are wilting – even with lots of water – I’m worried for my tomato plants.