Description
A refreshing and classic Greek salad featuring ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumber, red onion, green bell pepper, Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed with a tangy olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing seasoned with oregano. This vibrant salad is perfect as a light meal or a side dish and highlights the simple, bold flavors of Mediterranean cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped into wedges
- 1 cucumber, sliced (or quartered if large)
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
Other Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 8 oz block of feta cheese, cut into cubes or crumbled
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- Fresh parsley or oregano for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and green bell pepper. Gently toss the vegetables to mix them evenly without bruising.
- Add olives and feta: Scatter the Kalamata olives evenly over the vegetables, then arrange the feta cheese on top in cubes or crumbled form to maintain texture.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed to balance acidity and saltiness.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad ingredients. Gently toss to combine all elements, taking care not to break up the feta cheese too much to retain its texture.
- Garnish and serve: Finish by garnishing with fresh parsley or additional oregano leaves if desired. Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh and should be eaten within a few hours of preparation to preserve vegetable crispness.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor impact.
- Feel free to add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the dressing for extra brightness.
- To keep the feta from crumbling excessively when tossing, add it last and mix gently.
- Prep Time: 14 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Greek
