An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad

An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad. Craving a mouth-watering and healthy dish to savor at your next family gathering, picnic, or simply on a sweltering day? Discover the delicious and hearty Greek salad!

Infused with flavorful and fresh veggies such as ripe tomatoes, crispy cucumbers, tangy olives, and creamy feta cheese, this traditional dish is a vegetarian's delight and a brilliant way to nourish your body with essential nutrients and vitamins for a long-lasting energy boost. Your taste buds will find a heavenly match with a refreshing mocktail, while leftovers stored in an airtight container provide a hassle-free and nutritious meal for the next day.

What makes a Greek Salad such a good healthy option?

A Greek salad can be a healthy option as it typically includes a variety of nutritious ingredients. Here are the components commonly found in a traditional Greek salad:

Vegetables: Greek salads are abundant in fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onions. These vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, providing numerous health benefits.

Olives: Greek salads often feature black or Kalamata olives, which are a good source of monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and antioxidants. However, olives are high in calories, so it's important to consume them in moderation.

Feta cheese: Feta cheese is a key ingredient in a Greek salad. While it is delicious, it is also high in sodium and saturated fat. Therefore, it should be consumed in moderation, or you can opt for reduced-fat versions or use smaller amounts.

Olive oil dressing: Greek salads are typically dressed with olive oil, which is a heart-healthy fat rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. However, it's important to use the dressing in moderation, as it is high in calories.

Overall, a Greek salad can be a nutritious choice as it includes fresh vegetables and healthy fats from olives and olive oil. To make it even healthier, you can adjust the portion sizes of cheese and dressing according to your dietary needs.

This was inspired by my other recipe on this site, and pairs well with this amazing sidedish recipe.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: n/a
Servings: 4-6

Jump to:

• What makes a Greek Salad such a good healthy option?
• Ingredients needed to make An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad
• How to make An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad
• Variations on the An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad recipe
• Equipment used in making An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad
• Storage for An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad
• Top tips for making An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad
• Related
• Pairing
• An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad

Ingredients needed to make An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad

• Greek Dressing:
• ¼ c. red wine vinegar
• 2 t. dried oregano
• 2. T. fresh basil, finely chopped
• 1 clove fresh garlic, peeled and finely minced
• 2 t. red onion, finely minced
• 1 T. Dijon mustard
• ½ c. extra virgin olive oil
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

• Salad Ingredients:
• ¼ medium red onion, finely chopped
• 2 large heads of Romaine lettuce, washed, patted dry, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 4 oz. Feta cheese, cut into small, uniformly sized pieces
• 1 8-oz. can black olives, drained and roughly chopped
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, washed and cut in half lengthwise
• 1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced, then cut into quarters

Garnish (optional):
2 t. dried oregano.

How to make An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad

1. Add chopped red onion to a small glass bowl and barely cover with a mixture of equal parts water and red wine vinegar. Set aside.
   
2. In another small non-reactive bowl, combine vinegar, oregano, basil, garlic, red onion, and mustard. Slowly whisk in olive oil until the mixture is emulsified. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Set aside. 
   
3. Add Romaine lettuce to a large serving bowl. Starting in the center, add the feta cheese to form a row. On each side of the feta, add a row of chopped black olives. Then add a row of sliced grape tomatoes on the other side of the black olives. Finish by filling in the far end with the sliced cucumbers.
   
4. Once all ingredients are in place, drain the red onions from Step 1 and gently pat dry. Then carefully arrange them in a thin row on either side of the feta cheese. You want to wait until the end to add the onion to give them time to soak and to prevent them from falling down between the larger toppings.
   
5. If desired, sprinkle the top with additional dried oregano and serve immediately with the homemade Greek Dressing or cover and place in the refrigerator for up to one day before serving. Enjoy!

Variations on the An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad recipe

Greek salads are a healthy and fresh option for picnics or family gatherings. The Amazing Hearty Greek Salad recipe is a classic go-to recipe that never fails to impress. But sometimes, you might want to switch things up a bit and try out some variations. How about using quinoa instead of lettuce, or adding some grilled chicken to make it more hearty? Another option is to use watermelon or mango instead of cucumbers for a sweet twist. And if you're looking for a mocktail to pair with this salad, mix up some tzatziki lemonade for a refreshing treat. Don't forget to store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep it fresh for later enjoyment!

Equipment used in making An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad

non-reactive bowl

Storage for An Amazing Hearty Greek Salad

Looking for a healthy recipe to bring to your next picnic or family gathering? Look no further than the Amazing Hearty Greek Salad! This refreshing side dish is packed with colorful vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty homemade dressing. Plus, it's easy to make ahead of time and can be stored in the fridge for several days, making it the perfect dish to enjoy throughout the week. Whether you serve it as a side dish or enjoy it as a light lunch, this mocktail will be sure to impress your guests and leave them feeling satisfied. So next time you're looking for a delicious and nutritious recipe, give the Amazing Hearty Greek Salad a try!

Related

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Pairing

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