How to Make the Perfect Horiatiki Greek Village Salad
Greek · Easy · 15 min · 4 servings
This quintessential Greek salad celebrates the finest summer vegetables with ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny olives, and a generous slab of creamy feta cheese. It is dressed simply with olive oil and dried oregano, letting the quality of the fresh ingredients shine through.
Why this recipe works
This Horiatiki Greek Village Salad recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 15 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 220 calories with 8g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes cut into wedges
- 1 large cucumber cut into thick half moons
- 200 grams feta cheese cut into one large slab
- 100 grams kalamata olives pitted
- 1 medium red onion thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Cut the tomatoes into large rustic wedges and the cucumber into thick half moons, ensuring the pieces are large and chunky in the authentic village style. Thinly slice the red onion and separate the rings so they distribute evenly throughout the salad.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad
Arrange the tomato wedges, cucumber, and red onion in a large wide salad bowl or on a platter. Scatter the kalamata olives generously throughout the vegetables, distributing them evenly so every bite gets some.
Step 3: Add Feta and Dress
Place the whole slab of feta cheese on top of the salad without crumbling it, as this is the authentic traditional presentation. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil generously over everything, then sprinkle with a large pinch of dried Greek oregano.
Step 4: Season and Serve Immediately
Season with a little flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, keeping in mind that the feta and olives already contribute significant saltiness. Serve immediately at room temperature alongside crusty bread to soak up the delicious olive oil juices.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- kalamata olives → any good quality brined black olives if kalamata olives are not available
- red onion → spring onions or shallots for a milder and less pungent onion flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Crumbling the feta cheese into the salad instead of serving it as an elegant slab on top
- Refrigerating the salad before serving, which dulls the flavor of the tomatoes and makes the feta rubbery
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 220 calories, 8g protein, 12g carbs, 17g fat, 4g fiber.
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