Ultimate Mediterranean Greek Salad
Experience the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this Ultimate Greek Salad. Bursting with fresh vegetables, creamy feta, and briny olives, this salad is drizzled with a zesty dressing that gets better with time. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or as a light lunch, this salad is both refreshing and satisfying. Make sure to allow the dressing to sit for at least two hours for the flavors to meld beautifully, and don’t forget to let the salad sit at room temperature just before serving to enhance its taste. Enjoy this dish that embodies the essence of Greek cuisine!
6-8
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
1 cup (Cold-pressed)
Lemon juice
1 large extra lemon (Freshly squeezed (room temperature))
Dried oregano
2-4 teaspoons (As desired)
Fresh garlic
3 teaspoons (Minced (about 2 medium cloves))
Dried basil
1 teaspoon (Crushed)
Red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (None)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (Adjust to taste)
Sugar
1 teaspoon (None)
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (Freshly ground (adjust to taste))
Romaine lettuce
1 large or 2 small (Chopped)
Plum tomatoes (Roma)
2-3 (Cut into wedges)
English cucumber
1 (Peeled, seeded, and chopped)
Red onion
1 (Sliced)
Green bell pepper
1 (Seeded and sliced (optional))
Feta cheese
1/2 lb (Crumble (adjust to taste))
Kalamata olives
1 cup (Pitted)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the dressing. In a food processor or mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Add 2 teaspoons of dried oregano, minced garlic, dried basil, red wine vinegar, salt, and sugar. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
2
Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if necessary by adding more oregano and lemon juice for added zest. Finish by seasoning with fresh ground black pepper.
3
Cover the dressing and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend.
4
While the dressing is chilling, prepare the salad ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, plum tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and optional green bell pepper.
5
Once the dressing has marinated, pour it over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine everything evenly coated.
6
Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving to let the flavors develop further. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the salad for about 1 hour, tossing a few times during the chill.
7
Just before serving, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and kalamata olives over the top for a finishing touch. Serve fresh and enjoy the explosion of Mediterranean flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ingredients in the Ultimate Mediterranean Greek Salad?
The salad features romaine lettuce, plum tomatoes, English cucumber, red onion, green bell pepper, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives.
Is this Greek salad recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains fresh vegetables, cheese, and a vinaigrette dressing.
How many people does this salad serve?
This recipe is designed to provide approximately 6 to 8 servings.
What kind of dressing is used for this salad?
The dressing is a zesty blend of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, dried basil, red wine vinegar, salt, sugar, and black pepper.
How long should the dressing sit before using it?
For the best flavor, you should allow the dressing to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to let the herbs and garlic meld.
What type of olive oil is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of cold-pressed olive oil for a rich, authentic Mediterranean flavor.
Should I use fresh or bottled lemon juice?
Freshly squeezed lemon juice from one large lemon is recommended for the best taste.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
Plum (Roma) tomatoes should be cut into wedges before being added to the salad.
Do I need to peel the cucumber?
Yes, the English cucumber should be peeled, seeded, and then chopped.
Is the green bell pepper a required ingredient?
No, the green bell pepper is optional and can be omitted if preferred.
What type of feta cheese should I use?
The recipe suggests using 1/2 lb of crumbled feta cheese, which you can adjust to your personal taste.
What kind of olives are best for this Greek salad?
Pitted Kalamata olives are the preferred choice for their distinct briny flavor.
Why is sugar added to the dressing?
A small amount of sugar (1 teaspoon) is used to balance the acidity of the lemon juice and red wine vinegar.
Should the salad be served immediately after tossing?
It is best to let the salad sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes after tossing to allow the flavors to develop further.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 teaspoon of crushed dried basil for the dressing.
How much garlic is in the dressing?
The recipe uses 3 teaspoons of minced fresh garlic, which is roughly 2 medium cloves.
What type of lettuce is used?
The base of the salad is made from chopped romaine lettuce (one large or two small heads).
Is there a specific way to blend the dressing?
You can use a food processor or a simple mixing bowl and whisk until the mixture is smooth.
Can I chill the salad after mixing it with the dressing?
Yes, you can refrigerate it for about 1 hour, making sure to toss it a few times during the chilling process.
How should the red onion be cut?
The red onion should be sliced thin to distribute its flavor evenly throughout the salad.
What is the role of red wine vinegar in this recipe?
Red wine vinegar provides a sharp, tangy contrast to the olive oil and adds depth to the Mediterranean profile.
Is this salad suitable for barbecues or picnics?
Yes, it is specifically described as being perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a light lunch.
Can I add more oregano to the dressing?
Yes, you can adjust the seasoning by adding more than the initial 2 teaspoons of dried oregano if you want a stronger herbal zest.
When should I add the feta and olives?
Add the crumbled feta cheese and Kalamata olives just before serving as a finishing touch.
How do I ensure the dressing is well-combined?
Whisk or blend all the liquid and spice ingredients together until the mixture is smooth before refrigerating.
Is there any nutritional information available?
Specific calorie, fat, and protein counts are not provided, but the salad contains 16 ingredients and is considered a healthy dish.
Can I use fresh oregano instead of dried?
While the recipe specifies dried oregano for its concentrated flavor, you could experiment with fresh oregano by using a larger quantity.
What makes this the 'Ultimate' Greek Salad?
The combination of fresh ingredients and a zesty dressing that is marinated for hours creates a vibrant, authentic flavor profile.
Should the ingredients be at a certain temperature?
It is recommended to use room-temperature lemon juice and to let the final salad sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
How do I prep the green bell pepper?
If using the optional bell pepper, you should seed and slice it before adding it to the salad.