Description
Greek Salad with Homemade Greek Salad Dressing — a crisp, no-cook Mediterranean side perfect for weeknight dinners and meal prep. Makes 4 servings in 15 minutes with 10 simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- Cucumber, diced
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Bell pepper, diced
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Black olives, pitted
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, feta cheese, and olives in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to combine.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to enhance the flavors.
Notes
- Fridge (assembled): Store fully dressed salad in an airtight glass container for up to 2 days. Cucumbers and tomatoes release moisture after the first day, so consume sooner for the best texture. Press plastic wrap directly onto the salad surface before sealing the lid to minimize air exposure and slow oxidation of the vegetables.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for this fresh salad. Cucumbers and tomatoes contain high water content that causes cellular breakdown during freezing, resulting in mushy, watery textures upon thawing. The feta cheese also becomes grainy and crumbly. Prepare fresh batches instead—the 15-minute total time makes this practical.
- Oven Reheat: This salad is best served cold or at room temperature and does not benefit from oven reheating. If you prefer slightly warm vegetables, spread them on a sheet pan and warm at 300°F for 3 minutes maximum. Add feta and dressing only after removing from the oven to preserve freshness.
- Microwave Reheat: Microwave reheating is not ideal for raw vegetable salads. However, if adding this alongside a warm grain bowl, microwave the grains separately for 90 seconds and then top with the cold salad. The temperature contrast creates a pleasant eating experience without wilting the fresh produce.
- Air Fryer Reheat: Air fryer reheating does not apply to fresh salads. For a creative twist, air-fry bell pepper and onion slices at 375°F for 4 minutes to create charred vegetable toppings. Cool for 2 minutes, then toss with the remaining fresh ingredients and dressing for a partially roasted variation.
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: Recipes
- Method: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek / Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cups
- Calories: 178 calories
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 22mg