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Greek Village Salad (Horiatiki)

Juicy tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, red onion and olives dressed with olive oil and oregano, crowned with a slab of feta. No lettuce required.

By Tasty Nest Recipes Editorial TeamPublished

15 min total 4 servingsEasy

A Greek salad of tomato wedges, cucumber, green pepper rings, red onion and black olives topped with a slab of feta and oregano

Photo: arnold | inuyaki · CC BY 2.0. Illustrative photo; your results may look different.

About this recipe

Horiatiki, the traditional Greek village salad, is proof that a few great ingredients need very little help. There is no lettuce and no complicated dressing, just chunky summer vegetables, good olive oil, a pinch of dried oregano and a block of salty feta.

Because the salad is so simple, the quality of the tomatoes matters most. Use the ripest ones you can find, and cut them into generous wedges so they release their juices into the dressing.

Serve it as a lunch with warm pita, or as a side with grilled meat or fish. Mop up the juices at the bottom of the bowl with bread; many people think that is the best part.

Tips for success

  • Soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes and drain well to soften its bite.
  • Rub the dried oregano between your fingers as you sprinkle it to release its aroma.
  • Buy feta packed in brine; it is creamier and more flavourful than pre-crumbled feta.

Substitutions and variations

  • Cherry tomatoes, halved, are a good substitute when large tomatoes are out of season.
  • Add a handful of capers or a few pickled peperoncini for extra tang.
  • For a dairy-free version, leave out the feta and add a drained can of chickpeas.

Storage

To store: This salad is best eaten the day it is made. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 1 day, though the vegetables will soften.

Recipe

Greek Village Salad (Horiatiki)

Juicy tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, red onion and olives dressed with olive oil and oregano, crowned with a slab of feta. No lettuce required.

Prep
15 min
Cook
No cooking
Total
15 min
Yield
4 servings
Level
Easy

Ingredients

Tick off ingredients as you gather them.

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine the vegetables

    Add the tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, red onion and olives to a wide, shallow serving bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and toss gently.

  2. Step 2: Dress the salad

    Drizzle over the red wine vinegar and about two-thirds of the olive oil and toss again.

  3. Step 3: Top with feta

    Set the block of feta on top of the salad. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil, sprinkle the oregano over the feta and finish with a few grinds of black pepper.

  4. Step 4: Serve

    Serve immediately, breaking the feta into pieces at the table.

Cuisine: Greek · Course: Salad

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories
360
Protein
9 g
Fat
31 g
Carbs
11 g
Fibre
3 g
Sugars
7 g

Approximate values estimated from typical nutrition data for the listed ingredients, excluding optional toppings and serving suggestions. Actual values vary with brands, portion sizes and substitutions. Not verified by a dietitian or laboratory analysis.

tastynestrecipes.com/recipes/greek-village-salad

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Guides for this recipe

Techniques, troubleshooting and leftover ideas to help you get the most from your greek village salad (horiatiki).

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