Name: Greek salad (horiatiki)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: Tomatoes - 4-5 medium ripe, juicy ones (ideally room temperature, not fridge-cold), ideally room temperature, not fridge-cold; Cucumber - 1 large (Persian or English cucumber if possible), Persian or English cucumber if possible; Red onion - ½ medium; Kalamata olives - a generous handful (whole, pits optional), whole, pits optional; Feta cheese - ~200g (block, not crumbled), block, not crumbled; Extra virgin olive oil - about 4-6 tablespoons; Red wine vinegar - 1-2 tablespoons (optional but common in villages), optional but common in villages; Dried oregano - 1 teaspoon (Greek oregano if possible), Greek oregano if possible; Sea salt - to taste; Freshly ground black pepper - optional

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The recipe

Greek salad (horiatiki)

Learn how to make authentic Greek salad (Horiatiki).

Serves 4
10 min prep
Takes a bit of care

Times and difficulty are our estimates from the method, not stopwatch figures.

Scale

4 servings

Measurements

Method

Step 1
Tomatoes - Cut into irregular wedges. Greek salads are rustic, not uniform cubes. Let the juice drip into the bowl - it becomes part of the dressing.
Step 2
Cucumber - Peel partially (stripes) for aesthetics, slice into medium-thick rounds or half-moons.
Step 3
Red onion - Slice very thin. If you want a milder flavour, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain.

2. Assemble the salad

Step 1
In a wide shallow bowl (not a deep mixing bowl), combine tomatoes, cucumber, and onion.
Step 2
Season with salt and black pepper.
Step 3
Scatter in the olives.

3. Dress the salad

Step 1
Drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil. This isn't "just for flavour" it is the dressing.
Step 2
Add red wine vinegar if desired (more common in northern Greece).
Step 3
Sprinkle dried oregano over everything.

4. Add the Feta

Step 1
Place a whole block of feta right on top (don't crumble).
Step 2
Drizzle a little more olive oil over the feta and sprinkle with oregano.

5. Serve

Step 1
No tossing - each person digs in and mixes on their plate.
Step 2
Serve immediately with crusty bread to mop up the juices.

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Questions people ask

How long does greek salad (horiatiki) take?

About 20 min from start to finish. That figure is worked out from the method rather than timed with a stopwatch, so give yourself a little more the first time.

How many does it serve, and can I change that?

As written it serves 4. Use the scale control on the recipe card to change it: every quantity in the ingredients and inside the method steps updates with it. Seasoning, and anything measured in pinches or splashes, is deliberately left alone.

Can I see the ingredients in ounces and pints?

Yes. The metric and imperial switch on the recipe card converts every quantity, rounded to amounts you can actually weigh or measure rather than to four decimal places. Your choice is remembered for every recipe on the site.

Is it vegetarian?

Yes, as written. If you are cooking for a strict vegetarian, the one to check is the cheese: several hard cheeses are made with animal rennet.

Greek salad (horiatiki)

Greek salad (horiatiki)