Simple Greek Salad (no lettuce!)

This Simple Greek Salad is tasty, quick to prepare, and bursting with fresh flavors. And it's made the authentic way - with no lettuce at all!

Let's get one thing straight about making a real-deal Greek salad: you can skip the lettuce. Yep, you heard that right.

I always thought that Greek salads came on a bed of iceberg lettuce because that's the way I was always served them. But then I actually went to Greece. And realized that there was never a leaf of lettuce in my salad bowl.

Ha. So now I make my own Greek salad this way too. And frankly - it's so much better this way. You get to focus on the real stars of the show, which are the fresh veggies and the feta cheese!

You’ve got cucumbers, onions, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers mixed with as much feta as your little heart desires. The dressing? Just lemon, olive oil, and a bit of oregano. It’s refreshing, it’s got punch, and it doesn’t mess around with unnecessary extras.

This Greek Salad is:

• Legit Greek: No lettuce. That’s not how they roll in Greece, and once you try this, you’ll see why.
• Feta front and center: This cheese isn’t just a topping; it’s the heart of the dish. Cubed and proud, it makes the salad.
• Topped with a simple dressing: Lemon juice, olive oil, and oregano. That’s it. And it’s perfect.
• Versatile: This isn’t just a side dish. It’s a lunch, it’s a dinner, it’s whatever you need it to be.

And if you love Greek food, check out these other Greek-inspired recipes too.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

Cucumber: English cucumbers work best because they’re less bitter and have few seeds, but any cucumber will do. Just peel your cucumber first if if it’s waxed.

Red Onion: This adds a nice bite. Red onions have a nice sharp bite that pairs well with the feta.

Cherry Tomatoes: They’re juicy, sweet and add a pop of color. Grape tomatoes work too or even slices of Roma tomato.

Feta Cheese: It’s the star of the salad. If feta’s too strong for you, try a milder cheese, but you’re veering off the Greek path. And for a vegan spin, try your hand at making your own vegan feta cheese.

Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best for the brightest flavor. But you can use bottled if it's more convenient.

Helpful Tips & Variations

Dress the Salad Last Minute: Keep everything crisp by dressing the salad right before you eat it.

Use a Block of Feta: For a more traditional look, put a big block or thick slices of feta right on top of the veggies instead of mixing it in.

Chill Time: Letting the salad sit for 30 minutes before diving in lets all those flavors hang out and become friends.

Serving Ideas: This Greek salad is hearty enough to be a meal on its own. But you can also serve it up as part of a full Greek-inspired feast with Vegan Moussaka and homemade Baklava.

Variations

Need Protein? Grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas can add some nice texture and healthy protein.

Add olives! Want more Greek vibes? Add Kalamata olives.

Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or mint can brighten this salad up even more.

More Vegetarian Recipes to Try

If you love this Greek Salad, be sure to check out these other tasty ideas:

• Greek Fattoush Salad
• Vegan Greek Orzo Salad
• Greek Lentil Soup

Recipe