Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki / Xoriatiki)
The one dish every table in Greece contains. This is the iconic salad consumed the most by Greeks all around the world for good reason. Its super simple to make and absolutely delicious when tossed and all the flavors combine.
The ingredients here are whole, simple and straightforward. Nothing is better than a beautifully red and ripened tomato sliced into chunks. The juices make such a significant contribution to the dressing. The bell pepper is traditionally green here. I wouldn’t stray from that. I would also definitely go with a red onion.
Everything needs to be sliced thin (except the tomatoes). I find this method to taste the best, similar to a micro chop salad. The olive oil needs to be extra virgin for the greatest flavor. The red wine vinegar also adds a tang that is necessary for this simple salad dressing.
The traditional way to serve this salad to your family or friends is to assemble the sliced ingredients in a large bowl with the feta block placed on top (as seen at the top of the page). Equally important is to serve this with some fresh bread for scooping up the juice at the bottom of the salad bowl – undoubtedly the best part!
Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki)
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber peeled + sliced
- 1/2 medium red onion sliced thin
- 3 tomatoes sliced into large chunks
- 1 green bell pepper seeded, stemmed + sliced thin
- 1/3 cup kalamata black olives
- 5 pepperccinis
- 1 block feta cheese (7 oz)
- 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tbs red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Assemble the first 7 ingredients in a large bowl.
- Drizzle with olive oil, vinegar and oregano.
- Break up the feta with a large spoon or fork into smaller pieces and toss all to coat. Taste and season with salt if preferred. (I never use any salt since the feta brings the flavor).
Hi Stella! I had only had greek salad from restaurants, and they were not exactly the same (i.e romaine lettuce and “mayonnaisy” dressing). But this salata is the best! Thank you! Enjoyed it so much! 👍❤️
Hi Lyne, this is such a great compliment! Thanks for the kind feedback!
This salad is Greece all over. I wash / rinse the romaine, and drain it good . I cut it up in chunks and I squeeze fresh lemon on the romaine it keeps it fresh I put it back in refrigerator to stay cold and crisp. As I prepare the rest of ingredients. It is delicious . Thanks for sharing.
Can NOT stop eating this!! I was recently lucky enough to run across one of your videos, and I am hooked!! I am currently baking you lemon garlic chicken to go with this salad (which I have just made… for the 4th day in a row!! I almost had leftovers, but my 14yo ate the rest of this for breakfast… ).
Thank you, thank you! I plan on making MANY of your recipes! “chef’s kiss”
Hi Julie, I feel you! This salad is definitley addictive and easy to make! Also happy you guys liked the lemon chicken too! Thank you for trying out the recipes! Cheers!
Best salad I’ve ever had. I added some romaine as it was my dinner last night. Absolutely delicious and easy to make.
Hi Curt, So glad you enjoyed this salad dish! Its a classic for sure! Cheers!!
Chairetismata ! I just recently visited Greece and this recipe is spot on.
Hello! Yes, this salad is one of my favorite classics! Glad you liked it!
So happy I found your account on IG, love your salads. This one is a classic that I will be making over and over.
HI Tina! Welcome! I couldn’t agree with you more! This is one of my faves of course!!
This salad was very tasty, I will definitely be making it again
Hi Kandice! Glad you enjoyed.