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This refreshing, easy Greek salad recipe is the perfect side dish, with Mediterranean flavors, crisp vegetables, and a simple dressing.

A plate with Greek salad made with fresh vegetables and feta cheese.

Ready for some Mediterranean inspiration? Try the most refreshing and flavorful salad bowl, inspired by classic Greek salad, without lettuce.

Full of fresh vegetables like sweet bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp cucumbers, this salad is the perfect summer salad.

I love the traditional Greek salad (Horiatiki), without lettuce but full of fresh vegetables. I eat this salad all the time and have for years, ever since I visited Greece. Loaded with Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and my easy homemade Greek salad dressing, this dish is my favorite summertime lunch.

Ingredients

This is a brief overview of the ingredients used in this recipe followed by substitution ideas. Read the recipe card for measurements.

Bowls of fresh vegetables, feta cheese, and dressing for a Greek salad.

The salad ingredients

  • tomato: I like small grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes for this salad. You can also use Roma tomatoes.
  • cucumber: I use mini Persian cucumbers, but you can also use English cucumbers. If you’re using mini cucumbers, slice them into rounds. If you’re using larger English cucumbers, cut them into half moons.
  • bell pepper: Green bell pepper is typical in an authentic Greek salad.
  • red onion: I add these in when I have them on hand and I’m in the mood for raw onion.
  • olives: I use Kalamata olives, they are delicious briny olives. Use your favorite olive.
  • cheese: Feta cheese is typical for this salad and it’s typically not crumbled but added as a slab or in big chunks.
  • fresh oregano: to garnish. When my garden is abundant with fresh oregano, I use it.
  • dressing; From what I understand this salad is all about simplicity, and showcasing the fresh ingredients, so typically the dressing is only good quality extra-virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar along with a pinch of oregano. I like to use my homemade Greek dressing. For the dressing, you’ll need olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Substitutions

  • tomato: you can also use Roma tomatoes. I use whatever I have on hand.
  • onion: If you’re not that into raw onions, soak the sliced red onion in cold water to take away the raw punch.
  • bell pepper: Green peppers are traditional for this salad, but I prefer red, yellow, or orange peppers. Use whatever you prefer.
A plate with Greek salad made with fresh vegetables and feta cheese.

Instructions

Prep Tips

  • Chop the vegetables.
  • Make the Greek dressing.
  • Slice the feta cheese into slabs.
Adding tablespoons of dressing with fresh vegetables.
  1. Add all of the chopped vegetables to a large bowl.
Mixing fresh chopped vegetables with dressing.
  1. Add the dressing and stir to combine.
Adding feta cheese to a plate with fresh vegetables on it.
  1. ​Plate the vegetables. Top with the chunks of feta cheese.
A plate with Greek salad made with fresh vegetables and feta cheese.
  1. Sprinkle fresh oregano leaves on top and serve.
Illustration of a yellow bowl.

How to Serve

Serve with a sandwich or a piece of crusty bread for a light lunch.

A plate with Greek salad made with fresh vegetables and feta cheese.

Tips for Making Greek Salad

  • Want to keep it vegan? Use a vegan feta cheese product.
  • Make this salad when the ingredients are in season and at their most vibrant.
  • This salad is easy to upscale for large groups. Combine the vegetables and dressing them just before serving.

What to serve with a no lettuce Greek salad

This is a fresh and delicious salad and the Mediterranean flavors go with many other dishes. If you’d rather, add a bunch of chopped fresh leafy greens like romaine lettuce or spinach.

Try it with vegan Spanakopita from our sister site the Veggie Yaya. Serve this salad at bbq’s or for a refreshing light lunch on a hot summer day with your favorite protein like chickpea burgers or grilled chicken wraps. Keep it Greek and serve this salad with roasted lemon potatoes from our other sister site, PiperCooks.

Storage

Storing the salad with dressing on it can cause the fresh delicate vegetables to get soggy. Store the separate components in the fridge for a few days. The dressing lasts two weeks in the fridge.

A plate with Greek salad made with fresh vegetables and feta cheese.

FAQ

Does traditional Greek salad have lettuce?

No, traditional Greek salad (Horiatiki) does not include salad. It’s made with tomato, cucumber, green bell pepper, red onion, olive, feta cheese, oregano, olive oil, and a splash of vinegar.

A plate with Greek salad made with fresh vegetables and feta cheese.

Greek Salad Without Lettuce

A refreshing and delicious Greek salad, inspired by traditional Greek salad without lettuce. Crispy vegetables, tangy Feta cheese, briny olives, and a simple dressing.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serving Size 1

Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 1 cup grape tomatoes sliced in half
  • 1-2 mini cucumbers sliced into rounds
  • 3 mini bell peppers sliced into round
  • 10 Kalamata olives
  • 1-2 oz feta cheese cut into slabs, use vegan Feta if needed

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar – or red wine vinegar or rose vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

For the Dressing

  • Add all ingredients to a jar with a lid and shake to combine. Set aside.

For the Salad

  • Add all of the prepped vegetables to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of the dressing and mix well.
  • Plate the salad. Add slabs of feta cheese and fresh oregano leaves on top of the salad. Serve.

Video

Calories: 258kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 964mg | Potassium: 678mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 4282IU | Vitamin B12: 0.5µg | Vitamin C: 132mg | Calcium: 196mg | Iron: 2mg

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A plate with Greek salad made with fresh vegetables and feta cheese with text for Pinterest.

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My Plant-Based Bowl | Jacqueline

Hi, I’m Jacqueline. I write this website and create plant-based recipes that are easy to make and taste great. I love cooking and making elaborate bowl recipes, gardening and taking care of my little cabin, and I’m happy reading or watching a new show on Netflix.

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