Authentic Greek Lemon-Herb Salad with Feta and Olives
A vibrant Mediterranean salad featuring crisp vegetables, briny olives, and a bright lemon-herb dressing that captures the essence of Greek coastal cuisine. This mediterranean-inspired salads (mediterranean) ready in about 20 minutes pairs head, chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, medium, diced cucumber into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 head, chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 4 ounces, crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 medium, juiced and zested lemon
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 head chopped romaine lettuce, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1 medium diced cucumber, tossing gently to mix.
- Step 2: Whisk together 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 medium lemon's juice and zest, and 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill until emulsified.
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the vegetables, then add 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives and 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese, tossing gently until evenly coated and the salad is fully dressed.
- Step 4: Let the salad sit for 10 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld, then serve immediately with additional lemon wedges on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Greek Lemon-Herb Salad with Feta and Olives take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (20 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Greek Lemon-Herb Salad with Feta and Olives?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep head, chopped romaine lettuce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Greek Lemon-Herb Salad with Feta and Olives?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Greek Lemon-Herb Salad with Feta and Olives for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Greek Lemon-Herb Salad with Feta and Olives?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 0-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
