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- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cucumber, diced - 1 red bell pepper, diced - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced - 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted - 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped In this salad, each fresh ingredient plays a key role. The cherry tomatoes add a sweet pop. The diced cucumber brings crunch and coolness. The red bell pepper adds a hint of sweetness and color. Slicing the red onion thinly helps it blend well. Kalamata olives give a briny taste that ties it together. Crumbled feta cheese adds creaminess and saltiness. Finally, fresh parsley brightens the dish with color and flavor. - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (optional) - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - Salt and pepper to taste This dressing is simple yet full of flavor. Olive oil serves as a rich base. Red wine vinegar adds a tangy kick. Dried oregano gives a hint of earthiness. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors, making every bite delicious. - About 150 calories per serving - Fresh vegetables provide vitamins and minerals - Olives and feta add healthy fats and protein This Greek salad is not just tasty; it's good for you too! The fresh vegetables in the salad offer a range of vitamins. The healthy fats from olives and feta cheese help keep you full. Each serving gives you a nutritious boost while being light and refreshing. {{ingredient_image_1}} To make your Greek salad, start with the vegetables. - How to halve cherry tomatoes: Take each cherry tomato and place it on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice through the middle. Aim for two equal halves. - Dicing cucumbers and red bell pepper: For the cucumber, cut it in half lengthwise. Then, slice each half into small pieces. For the red bell pepper, remove the core and seeds. Slice it into strips and then dice into smaller pieces. - Slicing red onion thinly: Take the red onion and cut off both ends. Cut it in half and peel off the skin. Place the flat side down and slice it thinly. Now, it's time to put everything together. - Combining salad ingredients in a bowl: Grab a large mixing bowl. Add in the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, and sliced red onion. - Adding Kalamata olives and feta: Toss in the pitted Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese. This adds a rich flavor and texture to your salad. A good salad needs a great dressing. - Mixing olive oil and red wine vinegar: In a small jar, pour in 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar if you like a tangy kick. - Seasoning with oregano, salt, and pepper: Add 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, along with salt and pepper to taste. Close the jar and shake it well. This mixes all the flavors together. Once your dressing is ready, drizzle it over the salad. Gently toss everything to coat the ingredients evenly. Enjoy your fresh and flavorful Greek salad! When making Greek salad, fresh produce is key. Choose ripe cherry tomatoes for sweetness. Look for firm cucumbers with smooth skin. Select a bright red bell pepper for crunch. Pick red onions that feel heavy and firm. The type of olive oil you use matters too. Extra virgin olive oil is best. It has a rich flavor and good health benefits. Avoid refined olive oils; they are less flavorful and healthy. To enhance tanginess, adjust the vinegar. Start with two tablespoons of red wine vinegar. If you like it tangier, add more. Crumbling feta can be tricky. Use your hands for better control. This keeps the cheese chunky and adds texture. Garnish your salad with fresh parsley. It adds color and a fresh taste. Serve the salad in a large bowl for sharing. You can also plate individual servings for a nice touch. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh, in-season vegetables and herbs. This will elevate the taste of your Greek salad significantly. Chill Before Serving: Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving. This helps meld the flavors together and makes for a refreshing dish. Customize Your Olives: If you prefer a different type of olive, feel free to swap Kalamata olives for green olives or even a mix for a unique flavor twist. Make It Ahead: This salad can be made a few hours in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to prevent sogginess. {{image_2}} You can swap Kalamata olives for green olives or capers. Both add a great taste. If you want a milder cheese, try mozzarella or goat cheese. These options change the flavor but keep it tasty. Grilled chicken or shrimp works well in this salad. Just slice them and mix them in. For a vegetarian twist, add chickpeas or white beans. They give protein and make the dish filling. You can try different vinaigrettes, like lemon or balsamic. They bring unique flavors to the salad. Yogurt-based dressings are creamy and add a nice touch, too. They can make your salad rich and smooth. To keep your Greek salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps stop air and moisture from getting in. You can also layer the salad. Place heavier items, like tomatoes and cucumbers, at the bottom. Keep delicate items, like feta cheese, on top. This way, they won’t get squished. Store the dressing separately. This keeps the salad crisp and prevents sogginess. Use a small jar for the dressing. You can shake it up when you are ready to eat. This way, every bite will be fresh and tasty. You can store Greek salad in the fridge for about three days. After that, the veggies start to lose their crunch. Look for signs of spoilage, like a slimy texture or strong smells. If you see any, it’s best to throw it away. Always trust your senses when it comes to food safety. Preparing ingredients in advance makes meals easy. Slice your veggies and store them in the fridge. You can even mix the salad but leave out the dressing. When you want to eat, just add the dressing and mix. This keeps everything fresh and crunchy. If you’re on the go, pack the salad in a lunchbox. Keep the dressing in a small container. When you are ready to eat, pour it over the salad and enjoy! A traditional Greek salad has fresh ingredients. You need: - Cherry tomatoes - Cucumber - Red bell pepper - Red onion - Kalamata olives - Feta cheese - Fresh parsley Mix these colorful veggies for a bright dish. The feta cheese adds creaminess, while the olives offer a salty kick. It’s simple yet full of flavor. To make Greek salad vegan, skip the feta cheese. Use a plant-based cheese instead. You can also add more veggies like avocados for creaminess. This way, you keep the fresh taste without dairy. Greek salad pairs well with many dishes. Try serving it with: - Grilled chicken - Fish - Pita bread - Hummus - Quinoa These options add protein or carbs to make a complete meal. You can also enjoy it as a side dish at barbecues or picnics. Yes, Greek salad is very healthy! It has lots of fresh veggies which are low in calories. The olives and olive oil provide healthy fats. Feta cheese gives you protein and calcium. Overall, it’s a great choice for a balanced diet. You can prepare parts of the salad in advance. Chop the veggies and store them in the fridge. Keep the dressing separate until serving. This way, the salad stays fresh and crunchy. If you mix it too early, it can get soggy. This blog post covered how to create a fresh Greek salad. We explored key ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and Kalamata olives. I shared easy steps for preparation and assembly. We also looked at tasty dressing options and helpful tips for freshness. Don't forget to try variations and substitutions to suit your taste. Incorporate these ideas to enjoy a healthy and vibrant dish. Now, make your Greek salad your own!

Mediterranean Sunshine Greek Salad

A refreshing and vibrant Greek salad featuring fresh vegetables, olives, and feta cheese.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 whole cucumber, diced
  • 1 whole red bell pepper, diced
  • 0.5 whole red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • to taste salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion.
  • Add the Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese to the bowl.
  • In a small jar, mix the olive oil, red wine vinegar (if using), dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Shake well to combine.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together to coat the ingredients evenly.
  • Sprinkle the fresh parsley on top before serving for an added burst of flavor.

Notes

Add more olives or feta cheese according to your taste.
Keyword fresh, Greek, salad, vegetarian