Authentic Greek Lemon-Olive Oil Salad with Herbs
A true Mediterranean salad where fresh herbs and tangy lemon dressing transform simple vegetables into a vibrant, herbaceous dish that celebrates Greek culinary heritage. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 15 minutes pairs peeled and thinly sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red bell pepper, thinly sliced red onion 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 320 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
- 2, peeled and thinly sliced cucumber
- 1, thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 1/2, thinly sliced red onion
- 100 g, pitted kalamata olives
- 150 g, crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh mint
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 peeled and thinly sliced cucumbers, 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper, and 1/2 thinly sliced red onion. Toss gently to mix.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill until emulsified (sensory cue: mixture should thicken slightly and coat the back of a spoon).
- Step 3: Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss until all pieces are evenly coated. Add 100g pitted kalamata olives and toss again.
- Step 4: Divide the salad between plates, then sprinkle 150g crumbled feta cheese over the top. Garnish with remaining 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint just before serving to preserve its bright flavor.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Greek Lemon-Olive Oil Salad with Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 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-Olive Oil Salad with Herbs?
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 thinly sliced red bell pepper from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Greek Lemon-Olive Oil Salad with Herbs?
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-Olive Oil Salad with Herbs 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-Olive Oil Salad with Herbs?
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
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
