Oh, this Greek Salad with Feta & Olives! It’s like a little trip to the Mediterranean right on your plate. Back home in Valencia, we eat with the seasons, and this salad just screams summer to me – fresh, bright, and bursting with flavor. It’s so simple, but that’s the magic, you know? It’s all about letting those beautiful, quality ingredients shine. Forget complicated stuff; this is pure, unadulterated deliciousness that comes together in minutes. Trust me, it’s a lifesaver on a busy weeknight or when you just want something incredibly satisfying and healthy.
Why You'll Love This Greek Salad with Feta & Olives
Honestly, you’re going to adore this Greek Salad with Feta & Olives for so many reasons:
- It’s ridiculously easy and comes together super fast!
- The flavors are just incredible – that salty feta, briny olives, crisp veggies… wow!
- It’s packed with healthy stuff, perfect for a light lunch or a guilt-free side.
- It looks gorgeous on any table, whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a summer get-together.
Quick Mediterranean Salad Preparation
Seriously, this Mediterranean salad is a dream for busy days. You literally just chop, toss, and voilà! It’s ready in about 15 minutes, making it perfect for when you need a fresh meal in a flash. No cooking required, just pure, simple deliciousness.
Vibrant and Fresh Ingredients for Your Greek Salad with Feta & Olives
The stars of this Greek Salad with Feta & Olives are, of course, the ingredients! We start with a whole, crisp cucumber, diced nice and chunky. Then come two juicy tomatoes, also diced – I like them ripe and sweet. For that little bit of bite, we add a thinly sliced red onion; you can use less if you’re not a huge onion fan, no worries! A green bell pepper gets diced too, adding a lovely crunch and color. Then, the essential players: half a cup of pitted Kalamata olives – they’re the best, so briny and perfect – and about 4 ounces of crumbled feta cheese. Make sure it’s good quality feta, the crumbly kind, not the pre-shredded stuff!
How to Prepare Your Perfect Greek Salad with Feta & Olives
Putting together this Greek Salad with Feta & Olives is honestly the easiest part, and it only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. You’ll be amazed at how quickly something so fresh and flavorful comes together! Let’s get this party started.
Assembling the Base of Your Greek Salad
First things first, grab a nice big bowl – you want plenty of room to toss everything without making a mess. Start by adding all your chopped veggies: the diced cucumber, juicy tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and the diced green bell pepper. Then, toss in those gorgeous, briny Kalamata olives. They really are the best for that authentic Greek flavor, so don’t skimp!
Crafting the Traditional Greek Salad Dressing
Now for the dressing, which is super simple. In a separate small bowl, you’ll whisk together about a quarter cup of good extra virgin olive oil. Add in two tablespoons of red wine vinegar – it gives it that perfect tang. Sprinkle in a teaspoon of dried oregano and a pinch of salt and pepper. Give it a good whisk until it’s all beautifully combined and emulsified. Smells like Greece already, doesn’t it? For more on herbs like oregano, check out their benefits and uses.
Bringing It All Together: The Final Toss
Okay, the grand finale! Pour that lovely dressing over all the ingredients in the big bowl. Now, this is important: gently toss everything together. You want to coat all those beautiful veggies and olives without bruising them. Make sure that crumbly feta cheese gets distributed evenly. It looks so vibrant and inviting now, a true feast for the eyes!
Tips for Success with Your Greek Salad with Feta & Olives
To make your Greek Salad with Feta & Olives absolutely perfect, a little attention to detail goes a long way. It’s all about using the best ingredients and treating them right. Don’t be afraid to tweak it a bit to make it your own, but these tips will get you started on the right foot for a truly authentic taste of the Mediterranean.
Ingredient Quality Matters for Greek Salad with Feta & Olives
Seriously, the quality of your feta and olives makes a HUGE difference in this Greek Salad with Feta & Olives. Opt for a good block of Greek feta cheese – it’s creamier and way more flavorful than the pre-crumbled stuff. And for the olives, Kalamata are king here; their rich, fruity flavor is just unbeatable. Learn more about Kalamata olives.
Customizing Your Greek Salad with Feta & Olives
This salad is super forgiving! If you love a bit of heat, toss in some pepperoncini peppers. Some chopped artichoke hearts are also a fantastic addition. You can also add a sprinkle of fresh mint or parsley if you have some on hand. Play around with it!
Serving Suggestions for Your Greek Salad with Feta & Olives
This Greek Salad with Feta & Olives is so versatile, it’s a perfect partner for so many dishes! It’s fantastic alongside grilled chicken or fish, especially lamb chops if you’re feeling fancy. You could also serve it with some crusty bread for dipping into that delicious dressing. It’s also a star player in a Mediterranean mezze platter, alongside hummus, pita bread, and maybe some dolmades. Honestly, it just brightens up any meal!
Storing and Reheating Your Greek Salad with Feta & Olives
This Greek Salad with Feta & Olives is best enjoyed fresh, but it stores beautifully for up to 2 days in the fridge. Keep the salad in an airtight container. I don’t recommend reheating it, as the veggies will lose their crispness. Just give it a good stir before serving again!
Frequently Asked Questions About Greek Salad with Feta & Olives
Got questions about this amazing Mediterranean salad? I’ve got answers! It’s such a popular recipe, and I love that people want to get it just right. Here are a few things folks often ask me about this Greek Salad with Feta & Olives.
Can I make this Greek Salad with Feta & Olives ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! This is one of my favorite Greek salad meal prep recipes. You can chop all the veggies and make the dressing separately, then combine them just before serving. Or, toss it all together and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. It’s still great, though the veggies might soften a tiny bit.
What are the best olives for a Greek Salad with Feta & Olives?
For this Greek Salad with Feta & Olives, you really can’t beat Kalamata olives. They have that perfect, robust, slightly fruity flavor that’s just essential to an authentic Greek salad. Make sure they’re pitted so you don’t have any surprises!
How can I adjust the flavor of my Greek Salad with Feta & Olives?
It’s easy to tweak this Mediterranean salad to your taste! For more tang, add a splash more red wine vinegar or even a squeeze of lemon. If you want it saltier, a bit more feta or olives will do the trick. You can also add fresh herbs like mint or parsley for extra brightness!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Greek Salad with Feta & Olives
This healthy Greek salad recipe is a fantastic choice for a balanced meal! Each serving of this vibrant Greek Salad with Feta & Olives typically contains around 250 calories, with about 20g of fat, 8g of protein, and 12g of carbohydrates. It’s a delicious way to enjoy fresh Mediterranean flavors while keeping things light and nutritious!
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Amazing Greek Salad with Feta & Olives: 15 Min
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A vibrant and refreshing classic Greek salad featuring crisp vegetables, salty feta cheese, and briny Kalamata olives, tossed in a simple lemon-herb vinaigrette. This healthy and easy salad is perfect for a light lunch or side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 2 large tomatoes, diced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and green bell pepper.
- Add the Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese to the bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately or chill for later.
Notes
- For an authentic flavor, use good quality Kalamata olives and feta cheese.
- Adjust the amount of red onion to your preference.
- Add other Mediterranean ingredients like pepperoncini or artichoke hearts if desired.
- This salad can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of salad
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Greek salad, feta cheese, olives, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, green bell pepper, Mediterranean salad, healthy salad, easy salad, summer salad, vegetarian salad, Carmen Velasco