Vegan Greek Salad

Made with tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and red onion, and tossed with a flavorful herb dressing.  An absolutely delicious fresh salad recipe that will be enjoyed by friends and family. Perfect to take to potlucks, BBQs, and cookouts.

Greek salad also called Khoriatiki salad is not only popular in Greece but throughout the Mediterranean region. It’s traditionally made with tomato, cucumber, onion, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives and seasoned with oregano, olive oil, and salt. Additional ingredients are capers, green bell pepper, 

The Greek salad recipe is best enjoyed during the summer months when fresh, juicy vine-ripened tomatoes are available and crunchy cucumbers but here in Florida I get to enjoy it earlier here and it is by far the best Greek Salad that I have had.

If you enjoy the flavor of this salad, you will certainly love my Garbanzo Salad, Healthy Pipino Salad (Cucumber Salad), Yucca Salad (Cassava Salad), Black Chickpea Chaat, and Vegan Spinach Salad as well.

Scroll down for the detailed recipe, but I suggest you don’t skip the information included in the blurb.

Recipe’s Attracting Features!

• It is vegan and gluten-free so it is a great alternative for those who are on a gluten-free lifestyle.
• It is brimming with vibrant, fresh flavors! It tastes so fantastic!!
• It is a quick and easy-to-make salad, so it’s great to make during the week.
• It requires minimal ingredients, which you’ll probably have in your pantry.
• It is a hearty, filling, and delicious salad that can also be made using only one bowl.
• It can make without heating the kitchen.
• It’s full of the goodness of fresh vegetables (tomato, cucumber, onion, avocado, olives) and has a light dressing (made with lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, garlic, parsley, and fresh oregano) that will leave you feeling good about yourself after every bite.
• It’s light, healthy, and can be eaten at any time of the day.
• It is quite versatile. You can change it up to your liking by adding more ingredients.
• The salad can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
• Are you out of lettuce? No worries, you won’t even miss it with this no lettuce Greek salad.

Greek Salad Ingredients

• Tomatoes: For the Greek salad, I used grape tomatoes. But you can use cherry, Roma tomatoes, or regular tomatoes.
• Onion: Red onion give the salad a pop of color, but you may use whatever type of onion that you have on hand. If your kids hate onion, try grating it instead of chopping it.
• Cucumber: For the cucumber, I added English cucumbers but again you can use whatever cucumber you prefer. I didn’t peel the skin of my cucumber but it is totally up to you whether or not you do.
• Olives: For the olives, although Kalamata olives are olives of preference, I used a combination of Kalamata and green olives. You can substitute with black olives.
• Avocado: I know avocado isn’t an ingredient in traditional Greek Salad but I couldn’t resist adding chopped avocados. The creamy flavor and a nice balancing flavor to the salad.
• Vegan Feta Cheese: My delicious Vegan Feta recipe goes perfect is perfect with this salad.

Ingredients For Greek Salad Dressing

• Olive oil: I have used olive oil in this recipe. It is loaded with healthy fats and is a perfect choice.
• Lemon juice: The lemon juice adds freshness and brightness to this salad.
• Parsley/Cilantro: I prefer cilantro but I know a lot of my audience may dislike it and actually prefer parsley
• Oregano: Fresh oregano is also a wonderful addition to this salad with the other ingredients.
• Garlic: Garlic is an essential ingredient that brings in an intense savory flavor and makes this salad more tasteful. I added 2 minced cloves for maximum flavor.
• Maple Syrup: The maple syrup is optional, I love how it balanced the flavors.
• Salt: A pinch of salt brightens everything up. Salts such as Himalayan pink Himalayan salt, sea salt, or table salt can all be used. Season with salt to your liking.

How To Make Greek Salad?

This is such an easy Greek Salad recipe, you basically add the ingredients to a bowl and toss them with Greek salad dressing.

In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, avocado, and feta cheese in a bowl and toss.

Make the Greek salad dressing, in a small bowl combine, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley or cilantro, oregano, maple syrup, and salt. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently and serve.

What Goes With A Greek Salad?

• Stuffed Eggplant
• Stuffed Bell Peppers
• Black Chickpeas Stew

Leftovers Storage Instructions

If you anticipate having leftovers, consider dressing each salad serving individually so that you may store the leftover salad and dressing separately. Refrigerate each one in an airtight container. Based on how fresh your vegetables were, to begin with, the salad might keep for a number of days, while the dressing will keep for around a week.

Variations and Additions

• Get more vitamins and minerals by adding more leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables.
• Try adding boiled potatoes or sweet potatoes.
• You can also add a nice kick from the jalapeño pepper.
• For an extra crunch and as a source of healthy fats and protein, you can also add almonds, pecans, cashew, peanut, etc., whatever you have on hand. Dry roast them in a nonstick pan, before adding them to this recipe.
• Have you just realized you’re out of maple syrup? No worries — agave nectar or honey can be used instead!
• You don’t want to make vegan feta from scratch? Make use of a store-bought variety. Violife makes excellent feta!

Chef’s Notes

• To make a great salad, always try to use fresh vegetables. Instead of garlic powder, we recommend using fresh garlic cloves.
• If you have the time, you can prepare the dressing a few hours, or perhaps a day, in advance. As it sits, the flavor will enhance!
• Avocados should be ripe but not overripe. Choose avocados that yield slightly when gently squeezed, but avoid mushy or stringy avocados on the inside. When cutting them open, scrape out any bruised or discolored portions and discard them.
• Always use lemon juice that has been freshly squeezed! Preservatives are common in bottled lemon juice, and it doesn’t taste as fresh or tasty as freshly squeezed lemon juice. You can, however, utilize bottled lemon juice if you are short on time and have no other options.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why Is Greek Salad Called Greek Salad?

Greek salad, often known as ‘country/village salad,’ is a traditional Greek dish. It is a common part of traditional Greek cuisine. It’s one of Greece’s and Cyprus’s most popular salads. This is due to the fact that it is light, refreshing, and simple to prepare.

What Exactly Is Horiatiki?

A classic Greek salad with tomatoes, olives, onion, cucumber, and feta cheese.

Is Greek Salad Good For You?

Greek salad is low in calories and high in nutrients, such as vitamin A, C, potassium, and iron. Phytonutrients and antioxidants found in it also lower the risk of heart disease and cancer, among other health issues.

What Equipment Do I Need to Make Vegan Greek Salad?

This salad is simple to make. All you’ll need is a chopping board, a knife, a mixing bowl, and a spatula. A Mason jar comes in handy for mixing the dressing. Additionally, an airtight container is necessary for storage.

Can You Make Vegan Greek Salad In Advance?

It can be prepared a few hours ahead of time, but not more than that. The flavors in this salad combine beautifully, so it’ll be good if consumed in a few hours, but it’s still fresh food, therefore I wouldn’t plan on making it too far ahead of time.

How Long Does Greek Salad Last?

It will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days, although it is best eaten on the day it is made.

Can You Lose Weight Eating Greek Salads?

When trying to lose weight, the ideal salad to also include is a Greek salad because it’s low in calories and filling. The Greek salad is a great way to lose belly fat because it contains veggies like onion and cucumber, two of the most common in weight-loss plans.

Is It Ok To Eat Feta Cheese Every Day?

Feta cheese is a wonderful source of nutrients such as calcium and protein, but it also includes high amounts of saturated fat and sodium. However, you can substitute with vegan feta cheese. 

Is Greek Vinaigrette Healthy?

Yes! Olive oil, the primary ingredient in Greek Salad Dressing, is heart-healthy when used in moderation. Unsaturated fat is the type that can help decrease cholesterol.

What To Serve With Greek Salad?

It can be served as a light dinner or supper on its own in the summer. And, of course, it goes nicely with a Greek mezedes table. Here are some food pairing suggestions:

• Vegan Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Cauliflower Tikka Masala
• Vegan fajita recipe
• Teriyaki Soy Curls with Pineapple and Bell Pepper

How Many Calories Are In Greek Salad?

A traditional Greek salad has 400 calories, however, a chopped vegan Greek salad only has 198 calories.

How Many Calories Are In Greek Salad Dressing?

One Tablespoon of traditional Greek salad has (110 calories, and 11 grams of fat). Vegan Greek salad is 50 calories and fat-free.

What Is Special About Kalamata Olives?

Kalamata olives have a variety of vital health benefits in addition to adding a unique, salty Mediterranean flavor to your favorite foods. Olives are high in antioxidants, and studies have linked eating olives on a regular basis to a variety of impressive outcomes.

Are Cucumbers Good For You?

Cucumbers are a healthy, refreshing, and adaptable food. They are low in calories, carbohydrates, and sodium. They’re also high in vitamins and nutrients! Cucumbers are high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, potassium, and manganese. Cucumbers can also aid calcium absorption because they are a natural diuretic.

Is Oregano Better Fresh Or Dried?

Some dried herbs have a somewhat different flavor than their fresh counterparts; this difference is not better nor worse, but unique. Fresh oregano, for instance, is more pungent and peppery than dried oregano, which is yet tasty but mild.

Bottom Lines!

Be very careful when choosing salad dressings because they have the potential to completely spoil your salads. They can be quite unhealthy and fattening at times. Saturated fats should be avoided at all costs, and plant-based fats should be used instead. You must consume fat, but only the healthful kinds, and in little amounts.

I hope you enjoy this vegan Greek salad; it takes only 10 minutes to prepare, so you can eat well even if you don’t have much time.

Friends, let me know if you try this Vegan Greek Salad! Share your thoughts in the comments. Everyone who reads your thoughts and experiences benefits, including me!