• Home
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy

Curly's Cooking

Where great tasting food is always the answer

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
  • All Recipes
    • Main Course
    • Slow Cooker
    • Cakes
    • Soups, Salads & Light Meals
    • Cupcakes & Muffins
    • Bread
    • Biscuits, Cookies & Traybakes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Snacks & Sides
    • Desserts
  • Recipes By Diet
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
    • Gluten Free
  • Baking
    • Cakes
    • Cupcakes & Muffins
    • Biscuits, Cookies & Traybakes
    • Bread
    • Desserts
  • Cooking
    • Main Course
    • Slow Cooker
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Snacks & Sides
    • Soups, Salads & Light Meals
  • Easy Dinners

Soups, Salads & Light Meals

Greek Style Salad (No Olives)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Everyone has heard of a Greek Salad but each version is slightly different. This Greek Style Salad is my version of this well known classic – you’ll find no olives here!

What is a Greek Salad?

A Greek salad or Horiatiki is a very popular and well-known Greek dish.

There are variations throughout Greece, but the basic salad is tomatoes, cucumber, olives and feta.

I have heard that there are a few rules to do with authentic Greek salads:

  • There should be no lettuce or leafy greens
  • The salad shouldn’t be mixed before serving
  • Feta shouldn’t be chopped or crumbled on top; instead served as the whole block
  • The cucumber and tomatoes should be in quite large pieces

And I’m sure the list could go on and on!

So now is the time that I should say my Greek Style Salad isn’t completely authentic and is more inspired by the classic dish.

You’ll find no olives here!

As I said, my Greek Style Salad isn’t a completely authentic salad. And I think that’s ok. When you are adapting recipes, you can take the bits you like of them and leave out the ones you don’t.

I don’t like olives so you will never see me adding them to any recipes! I have tried to like them but I just can’t get on with their distinct flavour. If you like olives, feel free to add them to your salad.

I also like to crumble the feta on top. This is because I wouldn’t use a whole block of feta for myself and Mr Curly. So I prefer to crumble it on.

I also mix the salad up because I like the ingredients to be evenly dispersed. But don’t tell the Greeks that!

Who doesn’t love a salad when the weather is warmer?

Summer is all about salads for me. They’re light and fresh and just what I fancy when the weather is hot.

I do frequently make the standard salads with lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes with other varying ingredients added in; but these aren’t always the most exciting.

One important thing to remember is that salads don’t always involve lettuce. I know that sounds obvious, but something that is sometimes easily forgotten. Not by the Greeks however!

Use fresh, quality ingredients

It might go without saying, but try to use the freshest, best quality ingredients you can for this Greek Style Salad.

You will really notice a difference if you use delicious, ripe tomatoes. I like to use vine tomatoes because I find they are really flavoursome. You can use whichever tomatoes you see that are ripe and delicious.

This is also the recipe to whip out your nicest olive oil from the back of the cupboard. Extra points if it is Greek olive oil! A good quality olive oil will make all the difference to the dressing.

Can I use dried oregano instead of fresh?

Fresh oregano isn’t one of the most common herbs in most supermarkets. It is one of my favourites however!

I have a small oregano plant in my garden, when it decides to last the winter! But if you don’t have fresh oregano, you can use dried.

If you are using dried oregano, the flavour is a bit stronger so I would use half the amount.

Can this Greek Style Salad be made vegan?

This salad is naturally vegetarian and gluten free and can very easily be made vegan too.

The only ingredient you need to swap is the feta cheese. Vegan feta style cheese seems to be available in most supermarkets so this is an easy swap to make.

Can this Greek Style Salad be prepared in advance?

You can, but I would recommend keeping everything separate. This is because you don’t want the juice from the tomatoes to be released.

If you are going to prepare this salad in advance, don’t pour the dressing over it or put the feta on until you are are ready to serve.

Personally, unless you are really pushed for time I would prepare this just before you are going to eat it.

How long does this salad keep?

If you have made more than you are going to eat, this salad will keep for up to three days in the fridge.

The dressing and juice from the tomatoes will meld together and the vegetables may soften slightly. I don’t mind this at all and find it quite pleasant!

Personally, I would try to refrain from adding more feta than you plan to eat as this would start to break down in the dressing.

What do you eat with this Greek Style Salad?

It can, and often is eaten as a light meal in itself. If you did want to eat this as a meal, I would suggest it would be suitable for two people to share.

You could make some Easy Flatbreads or Rosemary & Salt Fougasse to eat alongside it to make it more substantial.

This Greek Style Salad also makes a great side dish to a number of meals. It is a great addition to any BBQ or summer spread. It would be delicious with something like my Garlic & Lime Chicken Thighs or Herby Turkey Burgers.

Other recipes you might like

  • Creamy Mustard New Potato Salad
  • Pear & Rocket Salad
  • Balsamic Tomato Salad
  • Beetroot, Red Pepper & Goat’s Cheese Salad
  • Coleslaw (No Onions)

Pin for later

5 from 11 votes
Print

Greek Style Salad (No Olives)

Everyone has heard of a Greek Salad but each version is slightly different. This Greek Style Salad is my version of this well known classic – you'll find no olives here!

Course Salad
Cuisine Mediterranean
Keyword Greek Salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 144 kcal
Author Curly

Ingredients

  • 300 g large tomatoes
  • 300 g cucumber
  • ½ red onion
  • 100 g feta

Dressing

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½ clove garlic minced
  • ½ tsp fresh oregano (¼ tsp dried)

Instructions

  1. Dice 300g tomatoes and 300g cucumber into large chunks and add to a bowl. Thinly slice ½ a red onion and add to the bowl

  2. In a jam jar, add 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, ½ tsp sea salt, ½ clove garlic, ½ tsp fresh oregano and shake to combine 

  3. When ready to serve, pour the some of the dressing over the salad and gently stir. Add to your serving dish and crumble 100g feta over

Recipe Notes

Nutritional information is given as a guide only and my vary.

Nutrition Facts
Greek Style Salad (No Olives)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 144 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 22mg7%
Sodium 572mg25%
Potassium 137mg4%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 160IU3%
Vitamin C 3.4mg4%
Calcium 137mg14%
Iron 0.3mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Share this...
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • email
  • Tumblr
  • StumbleUpon


26 Comments

Previous Post: « Raspberry Jam Swirl Cake
Next Post: Raspberry & Lemon Curd Meringue Nests »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Monika Dabrowski says

    July 17, 2018 at 10:23 pm

    5 stars
    One of my favourite summer salad recipes! Thank you for bringing it to #CookBlogShare:)

    Reply
    • Curly says

      July 18, 2018 at 9:14 am

      It’s really tasty isn’t it 🙂

      Reply
  2. Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says

    July 18, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    5 stars
    Yes, I have a go-to Greek salad of my own. I came up with it out of necessity because my garden was overflowing with cukes and tomatoes! I love the big, hearty chunks you have going on in your version. I’m also a big fan of the fresh oregano in the dressing: I haven’t tried that before, but I happen to have oregano growing in my garden this year, so BOOM.

    Reply
    • Curly says

      July 18, 2018 at 5:20 pm

      Haha that took me a while to work out what a cuke was but I love it! I do love a big chunk in this salad. I’ve only just recently started growing herbs and love them! I have my little herb ladder now and the fresh oregano smells amazing! I’m out there watering them everyday. I can’t believe I didn’t grow them before! The dressing really makes this salad in my opinion.

      Reply
  3. Ellen from Ask Away Blog says

    July 19, 2018 at 1:52 pm

    I love that I can make this out of everything in my garden!!

    Reply
    • Curly says

      July 19, 2018 at 1:58 pm

      Fantastic! And lucky you, I only have the oregano haha

      Reply
  4. Kat (The Baking Explorer) says

    July 22, 2018 at 6:19 pm

    5 stars
    I love greek salad, such tasty flavours all mixed together – this looks perfect for summer!

    Reply
    • Curly says

      July 22, 2018 at 8:41 pm

      Thanks Kat 🙂

      Reply
  5. Balvinder says

    July 25, 2018 at 12:35 am

    5 stars
    That’s exactly how I feel. Summers are meant for salad and all things cool and raw. We love Greek salad, its a staple at our house.

    Reply
    • Curly says

      July 25, 2018 at 8:36 pm

      Definitely 🙂

      Reply
  6. Anca says

    July 25, 2018 at 9:23 am

    I like greek salads too, but it’s been a while since I made one. I will make one for tonight or tomorrow, that is sure.

    Reply
    • Curly says

      July 25, 2018 at 8:36 pm

      Enjoy 🙂

      Reply
  7. Ally says

    July 18, 2021 at 2:23 pm

    5 stars
    Made this for a bbq today, very tasty and all got eaten! I did include the olives as well. Very easy to make, perfect for a family bbq!

    Reply
    • Curly says

      July 20, 2021 at 10:11 am

      So pleased everyone liked it Ally 🙂

      Reply
  8. Lesley says

    July 20, 2021 at 11:17 am

    5 stars
    I love the freshness of a Greek salad, this is a great recipe and works perfectly for my family as we are divided down the middle when it comes to adding olives. I add my olives in later.

    Reply
    • Curly says

      July 24, 2021 at 10:49 pm

      That seems like the way to do it!

      Reply
  9. Carrie Carvalho says

    July 20, 2021 at 9:15 pm

    5 stars
    Perfect summer salad!

    Reply
    • Curly says

      July 24, 2021 at 10:49 pm

      thanks 🙂

      Reply
  10. Janice says

    July 21, 2021 at 9:58 pm

    5 stars
    What a lovely fresh and flavourful salad. I think I’d serve a bowl of olives on the side and then everyone will be happy!

    Reply
    • Curly says

      July 24, 2021 at 10:50 pm

      Thanks. That seems like a very good plan!

      Reply
  11. Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes says

    July 29, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing, this version of greek salad looks lovely 🙂

    Reply
    • Curly says

      August 8, 2021 at 4:07 pm

      Thanks 🙂

      Reply
  12. Chloe says

    August 1, 2021 at 5:13 pm

    5 stars
    I’m with you, olives can take a hike!

    Reply
    • Curly says

      August 7, 2021 at 9:20 pm

      Hahaha I really can’t get on with them!

      Reply
  13. Sisley White - Sew White says

    August 3, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    5 stars
    So easy and utterly delicious. A very good side dish for summer parties – everyone loved it!

    Reply
    • Curly says

      August 8, 2021 at 4:08 pm

      Thank you very much!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Me!

Hi, I'm Cat aka Curly. I'm a home cook that likes nothing better than a day in the kitchen baking and cooking. Whether its sweet or savoury, in my mind food is always the answer. Meet Curly

Follow Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search This Website

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content

DON’T MISS OUT!

Subscribe to keep up to date with latest recipes.

Copyright © 2022 · www.curlyscooking.co.uk