Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (2024)

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This traditional Greek Salad Recipe is so easy and delicious to make. It's healthy and chock full of fresh chopped veggies, tangy olives, creamy feta cheese, and a very tasty homemade tangy greek salad dressing. Make it a meal-in-one by adding diced chicken, lamb, pork, or beef. Bonus: it's low-carb keto and gluten-free! Let's make it!

Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (1)
Jump to:
  • Watch: How to Make This Recipe for Greek Salad
  • You'll Love This Low Carb Keto Greek Salad
  • Traditional Greek Salad Ingredients
  • Best Greek Salad Variations
  • How To Make a Greek Salad
  • How To Serve This Recipe for Greek Salad
  • How To Store Keto Greek Salad
  • Top Tips For The Best Greek Salad
  • Greek Salad Recipe FAQs
  • Best Greek Salad Recipe
  • More Recipes To Love
  • Comments

Watch: How to Make This Recipe for Greek Salad

You'll Love This Low Carb Keto Greek Salad

"One of my all time favorite salad recipes. This is an easy Greek Salad recipe, with fresh chopped veggies and delicious homemade dressing, it is very healthy and light-tasting." -Kori

It's Easy. 10 minutes to prepare this very tasty and easy salad! The flavors are best if you refrigerate for at least two hours before servings, but if you're in a hurry, you can eat right away.

So Tasty. I've always loved traditional Greek salad. The vinaigrette dressing tossed with fresh veggies, cheese, and olives is the perfect combination of flavors and textures with the crispiness of veggies.

A healthy low carb keto Greek salad. This recipe is gluten-free, low carb, keto, and has no added sugar. If you're following the Mediterranean diet, this salad will work perfectly!

Traditional Greek Salad Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you'll need to make this delicious salad recipe!

Greek Salad Ingredients

  • Green Bell Peppers
  • English Cucumber (also called a Hot House Cucumber) - an English cucumber has fewer juices, so it will help to keep your salad from getting too runny.
  • Roma Tomatoes - roma tomatoes have less liquid in them. You can also halve cherry tomatoes.
  • Red Onions
  • Pitted Kalamata Olives - I prefer whole pitted Kalamata olives. You can also use black olives or even sliced olives (of either variety).
  • Feta Cheese - I typically use block feta, then cut it into bite-sized pieces. You can also use the creamy crumbled feta cheese, but you won't get those nice bite-size pieces that are a classic part of this salad.

Greek Salad Dressing Ingredients

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Garlic Cloves
  • Oregano - use dried or fresh
  • Dill - use dried or fresh
  • Kosher Salt
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper

For full recipe ingredient amounts, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Be sure to save this pin to Pinterest for later! 😉

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Best Greek Salad Variations

Here are several delicious ways you can customize this salad:

  • Make this a Greek pasta salad by adding about 2 cups of cooked and cooled pasta. Tiny orzo pasta would also be great!
  • Make this a full meal by adding cooked diced chicken, lamb, beef, or pork. I like to double the dressing and then use half as a marinade. Grill, bake, or cook on your stovetop.
  • Fresh lemon juice may be used in place of red wine vinegar.
  • Use any color of bell peppers you like.
  • Use a sweet onion in place of the red onion.
  • Play around with different types of herbs and vinegars to give it your own unique spin.
  • Substitute any favorite olive that you like - pitted or otherwise. Whole or sliced.
  • Add fresh diced avocado.
  • If you don't feel like making my the recipe dressing you can buy a favorite store-bought dressing instead.

How To Make a Greek Salad

This really is a simple salad to toss together! Here's how to make this traditional Greek salad recipe:

  1. Toss olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, dill, salt, and pepper into a small bowl and mix. (Tip: The salad dressing can be made ahead of time - or used immediately.)
Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (3)
  1. Add bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, and cheese to a large bowl.
Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (4)
  1. Pour the dressing over the top of the salad.
Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (5)
  1. Toss all the ingredients together.
Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (6)
  1. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours to blend flavors.
  2. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve and enjoy!

How To Serve This Recipe for Greek Salad

  • This is the perfect salad to take to a cookout or potluck, as it keeps so well. You can easily double or triple the recipe as needed. Since it's best to make it ahead, it makes it all the more convenient.
  • Because this is a zesty salad with bold flavors, I like to serve it with a simple grilled or baked chicken, pork, lamb, or beef.
  • By the way, the salad dressing is really good as a marinade or just served over a fresh green salad. Yum.
  • Gyro Burgers are the perfect thing to serve with Greek salad. These are seriously good burgers!

How To Store Keto Greek Salad

Store Greek salad in an air-tight bowl in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Top Tips For The Best Greek Salad

  • I like using roma tomatoes because they aren't as juicy as other types. They help keep the salad from becoming too runny as it sits.
  • Cut all of the vegetables and feta cheese into uniform bite-size pieces.
  • You don't have to scoop the seeds and insides out of the cucumber, but it helps to keep the salad from becoming too runny.
  • Make the salad a couple of hours before you serve to allow the flavors to blend.
  • If the salad is too vinegary or tangy for your taste add a pinch of sugar or two. Add a little at a time. You can't take it out once it's in! For keto followers, make sure to use an Erythritol or other keto-friendly sugar substitutes.

Greek Salad Recipe FAQs

What are the ingredients of Greek Salad?

A traditional Greek salad usually contains green bell pepper, cucumber, onion, feta cheese, olives, and a zesty olive oil and vinegar salad dressing with herbs.

Of course, just like most recipes, there are many variations of this salad, and you can customize it to your exact tastes.

Does Greek salad contain lettuce?

This Greek salad recipe does not contain lettuce. Some recipes may call for it, however.

Is Greek salad healthy?

Yes, absolutely. Greek salad has only 255 calories per serving, it's gluten free, low carb, keto, and has no added sugar. It's chock full of vegetables, uses only healthy fats, and uses no artificial ingredients.

How many calories are in this Greek Salad recipe?

Our Greek salad recipe contains 255 calories per serving.

Can I make this salad recipe in advance?

Yes absolutely! You can make this salad up to one day in advance. I usually make about 3 to 4 hours before serving it, allowing the flavors to blend nicely.

What's on a greek salad?

Traditionally, a Greek-style vinaigrette is served on a Greek salad. It is usually made of olive oil, vinegar (often red wine), herbs, salt, and pepper.

A traditional Greek salad recipe usually contains cucumber, onion, green bell pepper, and feta cheese then it's tossed with dressing.

Is Greek salad keto?

Yes, as long as sugar is not added to the salad, this greek salad is keto.

What is the difference between a Greek and Mediterranean salad?

Greek salad and Mediterranean salad are basically the same thing. Both have feta cheese, olives, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, and a vinaigrette dressing that is typically made with olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, and often lemon juice and mustard.

Is feta cheese keto diet friendly?

Yes! Feta cheese is definitely keto diet friendly. 1 ounce of feta cheese has 5 grams of fat, 4 grams protein, and only 1 carb.

If you made this salad, I'd love for you to come back andgive the recipe a star rating and/or a review in the comments! 🙂Let's stay connected, so please share photos of your creations with me and others onInstagram,Facebook, andPinterest!

Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (7)

Best Greek Salad Recipe

This traditional Greek salad recipe is tasty and easy to make - it's fresh and healthy and full of fresh veggies, cheese, and the BEST greek salad dressing. Make it a meal-in-one by adding diced chicken, lamb, pork, or beef.

4.64 from 61 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

Author Kori

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Salads

Cuisine Greek

Servings 6 servings

Calories 255 kcal

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 green bell pepper (cut into 1" pieces)
  • ¾ English cucumber (hot house cucumber peeled, seeded, and quartered into 1" slices)
  • 5 roma tomatoes (cut into 1" pieces)
  • ¼ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
  • ½ cup kalamata olives (whole and pitted)
  • 8 oz feta cheese (cut into ½" chunks)

Greek Salad Dressing

  • cup olive oil
  • tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • teaspoons dried oregano or 1½ tablespoons fresh
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

To Make The Dressing

  • Toss olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, dill, salt, and pepper into a small bowl and mix together.

To Make The Salad

  • Add bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, and cheese to a large bowl.Pour salad dressing over the top and mix ingredients. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

  • Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours for the flavors to blend.

Video

Notes

  • Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
  • I like using roma tomatoes or cherry tomatoes because they aren't as juicy as other types of tomatoes which will help to keep the salad from becoming too runny.
  • You don't have to take the seeds out of the cucumber, but I do it to keep the salad from being too runny.
  • If you have time, you can make the dressing in advance and allow the flavors to blend. This dressing is also really good as a marinade or a simple salad dressing for a basic green salad. Yum.
  • If the salad is too vinegary or tangy for your taste add a pinch of sugar or two. Add a little at a time. You can't take it out once it's in! For keto followers, make sure to use a sugar substitute.
  • VARIATIONS: Add pasta to make this a Greek pasta salad. Use more or less of any ingredient you like. This salad is quite forgiving! Adjust seasoning before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 6gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 808mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

© 2024 Seeking Good Eats™

More Recipes To Love

Check out the fabulous Greek recipes, salads, and more!

  • The Best Greek Burger (Gyro Burger)
  • Air Fryer Lamb Chops Recipe
  • Authentic Tzatziki Recipe
  • Lemon Pepper Wings Air Fryer Recipe - add a little greek seasoning to these and make our Creamy Dill Dressing for dipping, and you will have a tasty meal!
  • Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
  • Zesty Italian Pasta Salad (with Pasta or Cauliflower)
  • Italian Antipasto Salad Recipe
  • Layered Salad (Layered Overnight Salad)
  • Grilled Romaine Hearts (Easy Grilling Recipe)
Best Greek Salad Recipe | Seeking Good Eats (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to eat Greek salad everyday? ›

It is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and iron. It also contains ingredients full of phytonutrients and antioxidants, such as oil and onion, which reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. We suggest adding this low-fat superfood to your everyday diet!

How do you keep Greek salad from getting soggy? ›

Place a folded paper towel in the bottom of your meal prep container to keep greens from getting soggy. Sprinkle Greek herbs over the top for extra Mediterranean flavor. Be sure to keep the dressing separate from the salad until you're ready to eat it. You can use these disposable containers or this reusable container.

Is Greek salad good for weight loss? ›

The combination of fiber-rich vegetables and protein-packed cheese in Greek salad helps control appetite and supports weight loss efforts. Additionally, the monounsaturated fats in olive oil promote a feeling of fullness.

Why is a Greek salad so high in calories? ›

Greek salad: While a Greek salad has a lot of “healthy” ingredients, the additions give it its flavor and appeal. Feta, stuffed grape leaves and olives can add hundreds of extra calories and grams of fat. This salad may start with a 300-calorie base, but just the olive oil in the dressing racks up 200 calories.

What is the difference between a Greek and Mediterranean salad? ›

The primary difference lies in the use of specific ingredients. While both salads incorporate fresh vegetables and olive oil, Greek salad is characterized by the addition of feta cheese and Kalamata olives, giving it a uniquely Greek flavour.

Is it okay to eat feta cheese every day? ›

Feta is easier to digest and much less allergenic and inflammatory than cheeses from cow's milk, which is encouraging to those of you who may be sensitive to dairy products. However, it's important to also remember that feta cheese, high in sodium and saturated fat, should be used sparingly, not every day.

How do restaurants get their salads so crisp? ›

The Keys to Crisp Lettuce

Lettuce needs good airflow with some moisture (but not too much!) to stay crisp. That's why restaurants store their lettuce in special perforated bins that allow air circulation while it's held in the fridge.

How long can Greek salad last in the fridge? ›

In a large bowl toss together cucumbers, tomatoes, bell pepper, chickpeas, olives, red onion and parsley. Greek salad can stay last 4 days in fridge.

Is Greek salad good for high blood pressure? ›

The ingredients in Greek salad work synergistically to support heart health by improving cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure, and decreasing inflammation.

Are kalamata olives good for you? ›

Kalamata olives are more intensely flavored than other varieties of black olives and have potential health benefits because they have a lot of healthy fats (especially monounsaturated fats), minerals, vitamin E, and other antioxidants.

What are the healthiest salads to eat? ›

Best: Salad Loaded With Veggies

Top those leafy greens with crunchy produce like carrots, cucumbers, or broccoli. Then add a punch of color from tomatoes, bell peppers, beets, or red onion. While you're at it, toss in last night's leftovers, such as roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, or asparagus.

Can I eat as much salad as I want and still lose weight? ›

Can you lose weight by eating a salad every day? "Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

What not to put in a salad for weight loss? ›

But add-ons like tortilla strips, cheese, croutons, candied nuts and bacon bits can negate the whole point of eating a salad for health and weight-loss reasons, Burak says.

Is Greek Salad good for constipation? ›

Improved digestion: The high fiber content in salads, particularly from vegetables and leafy greens, aids in digestion. Fiber adds bulk to your diet, helping to prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movements.

Do Greek people eat feta every day? ›

Feta in Greece is almost like a “staple” food considering it is practically on our table on a daily basis.

How many times a week should you eat salad? ›

Eating a salad a few times a week can significantly increase your vegetable intake, providing more of the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Adding a salad to your meals every day is one of the simplest dietary changes you can make to improve your health.

Is it OK to eat the same salad every day? ›

“That's part of planning, and it's super-convenient,” Cassetty says. But eating the same salad every day can get boring. Plus, mixing it up is more nutritious. “Variety in your ingredients gives you more variety in the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you get,” Taub-Dix says.

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