Crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, red onions, briny olives and capers, creamy feta, and a simple herb dressing. That’s all it takes. And the results are top notch. The next time those fresh salad cravings hit, go the Greek way… the Horiatiki way! The temperatures are starting to rise, and that means all of those summertime veggies are ready to peak. And that means it’s salad season! From simple Caesar to unique salads from far off lands like Indonesian Gado Gado and Middle Eastern Balela, they’re all so good and so fresh. Now I’m sure you’ve all come across something described as “Greek Salad” in restaurants a million times. But today, we’re getting a bit more authentic…
What is Horiatiki?
Horiatiki is a popular salad in Greece, with the primary ingredients being tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onions and feta cheese. Other common add ins are capers and bell peppers. Unlike the Greek salads sold in North America, traditional horiatiki does not contain lettuce. It is sometimes called “peasant’s salad”, as it’s considered a typical breakfast or lunch for farmers. That being said, horiatiki is a common salad all over the country, with some variations here and there.
Ingredients
Cucumbers – A staple in Greek cuisine. We recommend seedless English cucumbers for this Greek salad. Tomatoes – Our favorite for salads are campari tomatoes. They are nice and sweet. Other good options are nice cherry tomatoes or heirloom. The tomatoes really shine in this recipe, so don’t go for the budget varieties. Red onion Olives – Kalamata, or a mix if you prefer. Feta cheese – There’s just no substitute here. Capers – Optional, but we love them here. Dressing – Extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt and pepper.
Authentic Greek Salad Recipe
Horiatiki comes together in three easy steps:
- Make the dressing: Whisk together all of the salad dressing ingredients until everything emulsifies (blends together without separating).
- Chop and slice: Cut the tomatoes into bite sized pieces, the cucumbers into half rounds, and slice the onions.
- Assemble the salad: Toss together the veggies and olives. Top with feta cheese and capers. Drizzle on dressing, then serve.
Tips for the BEST Greek Salad
Use good ingredients. The produce should be nice and fresh, and the olive oil and feta good quality. The cucumbers and tomatoes should not be too finely chopped. Horiatiki is meant to be a chunkier salad. Don’t overdress the salad. Allow the veggies and feta to shine. Don’t add the dressing till ready to serve, so the veggies don’t become soggy. Serve chilled. Horiatiki tastes best cold, so keep it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
What to Serve with Greek Salad
Being a Greek salad, naturally horiatiki goes great with Greek mains like Moussaka, Souvlaki, or Keftedes Meatballs. If you love the soup & salad combo for a lunch or light dinner, Avgolemono and Fasolada are two Greek soups that go well with Greek salad. Add a loaf of our easy No Knead Bread to round out the meal. You can also serve it as part of a mezze platter with pita bread and Greek dips such as Tzatziki, Melitzanosalata, and Tyrokafteri. Some other foods from around the Mediterranean that go well with Greek salad are Falafel, Mediterranean Flatbread, Chicken Shawarma, and our Mediterranean Chicken Skillet.
Greek Salad Variations
Traditionally, horiatiki is served with large pieces of feta cheese. That being said, sometimes we like to crumble it up and mix it with the rest of the salad, especially if serving a crowd. Many versions use only olive oil, salt and oregano as a dressing. We like the slight tang from vinegar, but sometimes we keep it simple. You can always serve Greek salad in American style and add lettuce into the mix. Add in some chopped bell peppers. They add color and crunch. Green is most common, but use any of your favorite colors. Give it some kick with sliced pepperoncini. Add fresh herbs like parsley, dill or oregano. How about Greek pasta salad? Yum! Toss with your favorite short pastas like bowties, rotini, or even tortellini. Top it with grilled shrimp, chicken or fish for a healthy, low carb dinner.
Storing Leftover Horiatiki
You can refrigerate leftovers for 4-5 days in an airtight container. If you make a big batch with the intention of saving some for leftovers, we recommend only tossing the portion to be immediately used with dressing, so the leftovers don’t become soggy. Give this easy and delicious Greek salad a try. It’s the absolute perfect side for any of you favorite Mediterranean mains, and we even love it as a lunch or light dinner. How will you serve it first? Pin or bookmark this great recipe so you always know where to find it. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new easy recipes for you!
Greek Salad, AKA Horiatiki, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try these other great salad recipes!Antipasto SaladCowboy CaviarSpanish PipirranaIsraeli Couscous SaladAsian Cucumber SaladMexican Elote SaladVietnamese Chicken SaladCucumber Tomato Pesto SaladZucchini Carrot Salad
