You can never have too many salad recipes, right? Especially when they are this delicious and healthy. This salad is a breeze to make and it’s coated with a fantastic Greek salad dressing. With simple chopping and quick mixing, you’ll have a seriously tasty side dish in no time!
To make this simple salad, all you need to do is chop up an assortment of fresh Mediterranean veggies and some olives, add a simple dressing and some feta, and you’ll have a delicious salad everyone will love in no time!
You can use Kalamata olives or black olives – I prefer a blend of both, but if you don’t keep both on hand, just go with what you like. If you want to remove the harsh bite from the red onions, rinse them under warm water (and drain) before adding them to the salad.
And yes, the avocado is optional – it’s not so traditional, but trust me, it just makes the salad that much better. Just be sure not to use one that’s very soft, or it will mash up when you toss the salad.
Ingredients:
Greek Salad Dressing:
- 6 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic (1 large clove)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp finely minced fresh parsley
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp honey
- Salt, to taste
Salad:
- 4 medium Roma tomatoes, diced (10 oz)
- 1 medium English cucumber, optionally peeled and sliced into half-moons
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced or diced, rinsed and drained
- 1 small green or yellow bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, chopped
- 3/4 cup Kalamata or black olives, drained and sliced
- 4 oz. crumbled feta cheese (about 1 cup)
- 1 medium avocado (not too soft), diced
Instructions:
- Make the Dressing: Add all the dressing ingredients to a small mixing bowl. Whisk well to blend, season with salt to taste, and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, olives, avocado, and crumbled feta.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the top of the salad. Gently toss to evenly coat all the ingredients. Add the dressing just a few minutes before serving for the best results.
Tips:
- Onion Bite: If you find raw red onions too strong, rinse them under warm water and drain before adding them to the salad.
- Avocado Choice: Use a firm avocado to prevent it from mashing up when you toss the salad.
- Customization: Feel free to add other Mediterranean favorites like artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers for added flavor and texture.
Enjoy this perfect Greek salad as a healthy and delightful side dish or a light main course. It’s a wonderful way to bring the fresh, vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your table!