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Get It NowThis simple Greek salad recipe, which is traditionally called horiatiki salad, is a favorite of mine! It was my go-to after my shift when I worked at an authentic Greek restaurant in college. The Greek-native owner showed me how to make Greek salad the authentic way (spoiler: there’s no lettuce!). The ingredients are simple — like a dressed up version of cucumber tomato salad — and the whole thing takes just 15 minutes.
Serve this recipe for Greek salad as an easy side dish — just add a chicken drumstick recipe or a halibut recipe to turn it into a meal. See ideas below! The Greek salad dressing (from my Easy Keto Cookbook!) even doubles as an easy marinade for poultry, so you can make a big batch for multiple uses.
Why You’ll Love This Greek Salad Recipe
- Bursting with refreshing Greek flavors
- Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, tangy feta
- Fresh, simple ingredients
- Just 15 minutes total time (including the dressing)
- Naturally gluten-free, low carb, and just healthy
- This is how they make it in Greece (according to an immigrant from there!)

Greek Salad Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for authentic Greek salad, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
In Greek, horiatiki translates to “village” or “peasant”, which is why this traditional Greek salad is also sometimes called a village salad. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Tomatoes – I used halved grape tomatoes, but cherry tomatoes work just as well. Larger tomatoes are also fine to use — just cut into large chunks.
- Cucumbers – Cut them into half moons or quarter moons, depending on their size. Any cucumber variety will work in this Greek cucumber salad.
- Red Onions – Slice thinly. Red onions work best with the other flavors here, but you can use white onions if you like. If you’re not a fan of onions, you can substitute another crunchy vegetable, such as green bell pepper.
- Kalamata Olives – These are most common in Greek salad recipes, but black olives are fine if that’s what you have. Either way, make sure they are pitted and slice them in half.
- Greek Dressing – Store-bought dressing works, but for the best flavor, make a homemade Greek dressing recipe using extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. It takes just a few minutes! Lemon vinaigrette would also work well here.
- Feta Cheese – Adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor to the salad. For a dairy-free version, simply omit the cheese.
VARIATION: Add lettuce or fresh herbs!
The Greeks don’t add lettuce or other greens to traditional Greek salad, which is always a surprise to many Americans, compared to our salads here in the states. But there’s nothing wrong with adding romaine lettuce or other greens if you want to. You’ll probably need a few extra tablespoons of dressing to compensate.
You can also add fresh herbs, such as fresh dill or parsley.
As for me? I grew up here in the U.S. too, but in my Eastern European family, we regularly had lettuce-free salads, like radish salad and creamy cucumber salad.
How To Make Greek Salad
This section shows how to make the best Greek salad recipe, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Whisk the dressing. It takes only a few minutes, and you probably have the ingredients on hand. Learn how to make Greek dressing here.
- Prep the veggies. Chop the vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and red onions), and place them in a large bowl. Add the feta cheese, too.


- Combine. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.


TIP: You can add the feta with the veggies or at the end.
I combined the feta with the vegetables in the steps and pictures above, but it stays together better if you add it after tossing the veggies with the dressing first.
Storage Instructions
You can chop the vegetables ahead of time and store the Greek salad ingredients in separate containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, separate from the dressing. The dressing will keep for up to 1 month in the fridge.
If you have leftovers of a fully dressed salad, they might last a day or so in the fridge.

What To Serve With Greek Salad Recipes
This Greek salad recipe is the perfect side salad for almost any healthy dinner! Here are some great pairings to go with it:
- Chicken – Make this quick horiatiki salad while you make crispy baked chicken legs in the oven or creamy Crock Pot chicken in the slow cooker. For a complete Greek meal, try Mediterranean chicken or in the warmer months, grilled chicken kabobs.
- Salmon – Serve it with baked salmon for a fast, easy, and light meal. If you want to take it up a notch, try creamy Tuscan salmon and parmesan crusted salmon.
- Steak – Make a classic sirloin steak with a flavorful steak marinade. Add some Greek lemon potatoes for a whole meal.
- Greek Mains – Pair it with pork souvlaki, Greek stuffed tomatoes, quick shrimp saganaki, or juicy lamb chops for a complete taste of Greece. It’s also the perfect side for gyros!
More Salads Without Lettuce
No lettuce needed! Go beyond the greens with these lettuce-free salad recipes:
Greek Salad Recipe
Greek Salad Recipe (Traditional, 15 Minutes!)
Make a traditional Greek salad recipe with simple ingredients: tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onions, and feta cheese. Ready in 15 minutes!
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Make the Greek salad dressing here.
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In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives, red onions, and feta cheese.
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Pour the dressing over the Greek salad and toss to coat.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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12 Comments
Sharina
0One of the easiest and quickest lunches I’ve made! This Greek salad recipe is brimming with flavors, so refreshing and incredibly delicious!
Toni
0This salad is totally irresistible! My family enjoyed it!
Matt
0Can never go wrong with a homemade Greek salad, one of my favorite salads! This one is awesome and comes together quickly. I really like that homemade greek salad dressing as well.
Lori Henderson
0The best salad I ever had!!
Diane M Henri
0This is easy to make once you gather all the ingredients. I made the dressing ahead so it made it even quicker to throw together and gave the dressing flavors time to mingle and bloom. I added some cooked, chopped chicken that I just added on top for a complete meal on a 100 degree day. No cooking involved. Absolutely delicious. Will definitely be making it again.
Christine Diaz
0Try tomatoes, red or green onions, (or both )with cucumbers & avocado.
Dress with and olive oil, splash of cold water, plenty of oregano, garlic
powder, salt & pepper. My family’s favorite, we fight over the leftovers
the next day!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
0I think I practically live on salad during the summer months and this greek salad is right up my alley. Zippy, fresh and tangy!
Beth
0I’ve been looking for healthy recipes! This salad looks so delicious and tasty! I can’t wait to make this!
Kathryn Donangelo
0This Greek Salad is so refreshing and delicious!! It was a total hit at my house!
Pam Greer
0We love salads without lettuce and this is one of our favorites! We also love your cucumber and radish salad! so good!
Abigail Raines
0This is everything I want in a Greek salad – easy to make and full of delicious flavors! Perfect for any summer get together and even beyond!
Taryn
0We really enjoyed this salad.