Video Traditional Greek Salad recipe (Horiatiki / Xoriatiki)

If you have been looking for a Greek salad recipe (Horiatiki) that actually tastes like the one served in Greece, then you have to try this authentic Greek salad recipe.

It’s time to take your taste buds to the refreshing flavours of the Mediterranean with every bite of this simple, refreshing and colourful Greek salad!

Greek Salad recipe (Horiatiki)

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Traditional Greek village salad aka Horiatiki

If you have ever visited Greece before, you can’t have missed out on this classic Greek feta salad! It is served almost everywhere, in mainland Greece and islands, in every tavern, restaurant and household alongside delicious slices of moussaka!

Greek salad is also known as “Horiatiki or Xoriatiki” which means Village salad. This actually means that it is a rustic dish, made simple with a few good quality ingredients. No fancy presentation or preparation needed to impress with this dish.

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This traditional Greek salad recipe (Horiatiki) is the brightest example of how Greek cuisine takes the simplest ingredients and with literally no effort transforms them into a finger licking dish!

Authentic Greek Salad recipe (Horiatiki : Xoriatiki)

Authentic Greek salad Ingredients

Greek salad is usually served from early spring until fall, when the ingredients are in season and fresh, which really makes a big difference.

A lot of Greek salad recipes include leafy greens, such as lettuce, cabbage, beets, radishes or even potatoes. But the fact is that this kind of ‘Greek salad’ is rarely found in Greece. A traditional Greek salad recipe (Horiatiki) will always (and only) include tomato, sliced cucumber, green pepper, sliced red onion, Kalamata olives or green olives and of course feta cheese.

Authentic Greek salad Ingredients

Traditional Greek salad dressing

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The simplicity of a classic Greek salad recipe also lays in the dressing. A lot of Greek salad recipes use prepared dressings containing various herbs and seasonings. Of course there is nothing wrong with that, but if you are looking for a more authentic taste, then keep the dressing simple and elegant.

A classic Greek salad is dressed with good quality extra virgin olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar. The dressing mingles with the juices of the vegetables making it really hard to resist digging in with a bite or two 🙂 of homemade bread. This is a traditional Greek salad; fresh, locally produced ingredients, simple and uncomplicated.

Tips for how to make the best Greek salad

To make this traditional Greek salad recipe keep an eye on your ingredients. Find some juicy tomatoes, crisp, fresh cucumber, creamy feta cheese, good quality extra virgin olive oil and some tangy black olives and you are basically done!

Greek salad Ingredients

Cut the base ingredients in large chunks to give a more rustic touch. Cut the tomatoes straight in the serving bowl, so that the juices remain inside the bowl.
Add some pitted Kalamata olives, if you have some in hand or green olives.
Keep the dressing for Greek salad simple and authentic. Dress with Greek extra virgin olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar. Toss gently all the ingredients with the dressing, so that the flavours blend with the juices of the tomatoes and the aromas of the other vegetables.

Traditional Greek Salad preparation

For seasoning your Greek salad use some salt and dried Greek oregano and finish off with a bit extra right before serving. Regular salt will be ok, but using a pinch or two of Cretan sea salt blossom will be a great addition. Be careful not to add too much salt as feta cheese can be already salty.
Finish your salad with good quality Greek feta cheese cut in large blocks, but not crumbled. Serve right out of the bowl; no fancy presentation needed for this dish.
When you serve Greek salad remember to set aside on the table a small bottle of olive oil and one with vinegar, so that anyone can add an extra drizzle if they like.

Making ahead of time and storing

You can prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. You can also store the salad for up to 3 days in the refrigerator after you make it.

Also read: American Greek Salad (with Lettuce)

Traditional Greek salad

What to serve with Greek salad?

Greek salad actually pairs with almost every main Greek dish you can find in this site. Sometimes in the summer it can even be served on its own as a light meal or supper. And of course it accompanies perfectly a table of Greek mezedes.

Here are some ideas of dishes to pair with:

Lamb: lamb kleftiko, Greek lamb chops, roast lamb with potatoes, lamb kofta kebab giaourtlou, lamb souvlaki
Chicken: chicken giouvetsi, chicken souvlaki, chicken gyros, Greek lemon chicken and potatoes
Beef: moussaka, Greek meatballs, soutzoukakia
Pork: Greek pork chops, pork souvlaki, pork gyros
Fish: Mediterranean sea bass, fried calamari, Greek style octopus
Vegetarian dishes: spanakopita, Greek cheese pie, vegetarian moussaka, Greek lemon potatoes, Greek tzatziki sauce
Pasta: pastitsio, Greek style spaghetti with beef
Breads: village bread, pita bread, sourdough bread

So go ahead, make your own refreshing Greek salad with creamy feta cheese with this easy to follow Greek salad recipe and taste all the earthy flavours that characterise Greek cuisine in one dish. Enjoy!