How To Prepare Authentic Greek Salad Horiatiki Recipe

🧿 Authentic Greek Salad (Horiatiki) Recipe

📝 Discover how to make the iconic Greek Salad, known as Horiatiki. Packed with fresh vegetables, olives, and feta, this Mediterranean classic is simple, delicious, and perfect for any meal. Follow our authentic recipe and enjoy a taste of Greece!

🥗 Authentic Greek Salad (Horiatiki) – A Taste of the Mediterranean

Greek Salad, or Horiatiki, is one of the most beloved dishes in Mediterranean cuisine. Made with fresh vegetables, rich olive oil, and creamy feta cheese, it’s a symbol of healthy eating and rustic simplicity. In Greece, it’s not just a side it’s often the main event during the summer months.

In this post, we’ll show you how to make an authentic Greek Salad at home, just like it’s served in the villages of Greece.

🛒 Ingredients

To make one large bowl of Greek Salad (serves 2–4), you’ll need:

• 2 ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 cucumber, sliced (peeled if preferred)
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 100g (3.5 oz) feta cheese, in one large block (not crumbled)
• 10–15 Kalamata olives (with pits for authenticity)
• Extra virgin olive oil (about 3–4 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Sea salt, to taste
• Red wine vinegar (optional)

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Wash and cut the tomatoes into wedges. Slice the cucumber into thick half-moons, and thinly slice the red onion and green bell pepper.

Tip: Soak the red onion in cold water for 5–10 minutes to remove harshness if desired.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad

In a large, shallow bowl or plate, layer the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and bell pepper. Scatter the olives across the salad.

Step 3: Add the Feta

Place the block of feta cheese on top of the vegetables. In Greece, it’s always served as a solid slab—not crumbled.

Step 4: Season

Sprinkle oregano generously over the feta and vegetables. Add a light pinch of sea salt (the feta and olives are already salty).

Step 5: Dress It

Drizzle high-quality extra virgin olive oil generously over the entire salad. Optionally, add a splash of red wine vinegar for some tang.

📌 Serving Tips

• Serve the salad immediately after dressing.
• It pairs perfectly with grilled meat, fresh bread, or a glass of dry white wine.
• Use the leftover juices in the bowl as a dip for crusty bread Greeks call this “papara”.

🧀 Ingredient Tips & Substitutions

• Feta Cheese: Authentic Greek feta is made from sheep’s milk or a combination of sheep and goat. Try to find one with PDO certification.
• Olives: Kalamata olives are the traditional choice, but you can use any dark olives if needed.
• Oregano: Use Greek oregano if possible it’s more aromatic than common oregano.

Health Benefits of Greek Salad

Greek Salad isn’t just delicious it’s packed with nutrients:

• Tomatoes & Bell Peppers: Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
• Cucumber: Refreshing and hydrating.
• Olives & Olive Oil: Full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
• Feta: A good source of calcium and protein.

This dish aligns perfectly with the Mediterranean diet, which is linked to reduced risks of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

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🧿 Final Thoughts

Greek Salad, or Horiatiki, is more than just a dish it’s a celebration of Greece’s culinary roots. With just a few fresh ingredients and quality olive oil, you can recreate this timeless recipe in your kitchen. Whether you’re preparing a light lunch, a picnic side, or a dinner starter, Greek Salad never disappoints.