Craving a taste of the Mediterranean? Transport yourself to a sun-drenched Greek isle with this classic Horiatiki, or village salad. It’s the ultimate celebration of fresh, simple ingredients: crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty lemon-oregano vinaigrette. Forget complicated recipes—this vibrant, healthy salad comes together in just 15 minutes, making it the perfect quick lunch, light dinner, or side dish for any occasion. It’s naturally keto, paleo, and bursting with flavor!
Ingredients
• 1 large tomato, cut into cubes 6.4 oz / 180 g
• 1 cucumber, sliced into half-moons 10.6 oz / 300 g
• 0.33 cup kalamata olives, halved 1.8 oz / 50 g
• 0.5 white onion, sliced 3.9 oz / 110 g
• 0.75 cup feta, crumbled 4 oz / 115 g
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar 1 oz / 30 g
• 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 oz / 30 g
• 1 tsp oregano, dried 0.04 oz / 1 g
• 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1.9 oz / 54 g
Instructions
1. Directions
2. In a large bowl, combine the tomato cubes, cucumber slices, halved olives, and sliced onion.
3. Gently stir the vegetables to combine, then top with the crumbled feta cheese.
4. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and extra-virgin olive oil until emulsified.
5. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently.
Nutritional Information
• Nutrition Facts Per Serving
• Calories: 265 kcal
• Total Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Dietary Fiber: 2 g
• Sugars: 5 g
• Protein: 5.5 g
Pro Tips
• Buy Block Feta in Brine: For the best flavor and creamiest texture, buy a block of feta stored in brine and crumble it yourself. Avoid pre-crumbled varieties.
• Tame the Raw Onion: If raw onion is too sharp for you, soak the slices in the red wine vinegar and lemon juice for 10 minutes before adding them to the salad. This softens the bite.
• Prevent a Watery Salad: To keep the dressing from getting diluted, scoop the seeds out of your cucumber with a spoon before slicing, especially if it’s a large one.
• Activate the Oregano: Rub dried oregano vigorously between your palms before adding it to the dressing. This simple step warms the herb and releases its aromatic oils for a more potent flavor.
FAQ
Q: Is this Horiatiki salad recipe healthy
A: Yes, this salad is very healthy. It’s packed with fresh vegetables and healthy fats from olive oil and feta. Each serving contains only 265 calories and 10g of carbohydrates, making it naturally keto, paleo, and a great choice for a light and nutritious meal.
Q: How do I prevent my Greek salad from getting watery
A: To keep your Horiatiki salad crisp and prevent the dressing from getting diluted, scoop the seeds out of the cucumber with a spoon before slicing. This is especially effective for larger cucumbers with a high water content.
Q: What is the best feta to use for a village salad
A: For the best flavor and creamiest texture, always choose a block of feta cheese that is sold in brine. Crumble it yourself just before adding it to the salad. Pre-crumbled feta is often drier and less flavorful.
Q: How can I make the raw onion flavor less intense
A: If you find the taste of raw onion too sharp, you can easily mellow its flavor. Simply soak the onion slices in the red wine vinegar and lemon juice for about 10 minutes before mixing them into the salad. This softens the harsh bite.
