Transport yourself to the Greek islands with this Horiatiki Salad! This classic recipe is packed with fresh, chunky veggies, kalamata olives, feta cheese and it’s finished with red wine vinegar and olive oil. It’s fresh, flavorful and ready in minutes!

Horiatiki in a bowl with a fork

I visited Greece many years ago, and ate some of the most delicious food I’ve ever had in my life. 

I ate my weight in chicken souvlaki, tzatziki, Greek yogurt with fresh fruit and honey, along with an array of Greek pastries that surpassed anything I’d ever eaten here at home.

The interesting thing was that the Horitaiki salad (also known as Greek village salad), is what really blew my mind.  The ingredients were incredibly simple, but they were so fresh that the flavors exploded.

I don’t make this salad in any other season besides summer, because that’s when the ingredients are at their peak of flavor.

It makes all the difference, and it truly stacks up to the salads I had in Greece!

Horiatiki salad in a teak bowl with block of feta on top

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Horiatiki, otherwise known as Greek village salad, is rustic, chunky and packed with flavor.
  • It’s the perfect way to utilize market or garden tomatoes and cucumbers in the summertime.
  • It comes together in minutes and may be prepped up to an hour in advance.
  • It makes a great summer side dish or vegetarian lunch!

Recipe ingredients

There are only a few simple ingredients in this Horiatiki salad, so it’s important to make them best for maximum flavor.

Greek horiatiki salad ingredients

Ingredient notes

  • Veggies. Tomatoes, cucumber and red onion are classic ingredients in this Greek village salad, but oftentimes you’ll find chopped green bell pepper as well. Your favorite variety of tomatoes or onion will work great!
  • Olives. Kalamata olives are traditionally used in this salad, but if they’re too strong for you, use your favorite variety of olives.
  • Feta cheese. A block of feta in the brine is the freshest and makes a big difference in this recipe, but you can use what’s readily available or what you have on hand.
  • Vinegar and oil. Red wine vinegar and olive oil are combined for a simple “dressing” that makes this salad come alive!
  • Oregano. Freshly chopped or dried oregano may be used.

How to make Greek village salad

This Greek Village Salad is extremely easy to make because it doesn’t require a lot of chopping and the dressing is super simple.

Pro tip:  Use the freshest vegetables you can find, as well as good quality olive oil and vinegar for maximum flavor.

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

How to make Horiatiki
  1. Place the chopped vegetables in a large bowl.
  2. Toss the vegetables with red wine vinegar first, so that the vegetables can absorb it for maximum flavor.
  3. Toss with the extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper and stir to combine.
  4. Serve the salad topped with a thick rectangle of feta cheese, dried oregano, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Greek village salad on a white plate

FAQs

What’s the difference between horiatiki vs. Greek salad?

If you order Horiatiki or Greek village salad in Greece, it includes rustic, chunky vegetables and olives, a creamy block of feta and dried oregano on top. It’s tossed with red wine vinegar and olive oil, which may sound simple, but that’s all it needs because everything is so fresh.

Greek salad is a composed salad, which means it contains lettuce, the vegetables are chopped smaller, and the feta cheese is crumbled into the salad. It’s tossed in a finished dressing like my Greek Salad Dressing as well.

What does horiatiki mean?

Horiatiki means village, which is why it’s also referred to as Greek village salad. It consists of tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and is dressed simply with vinegar, oil and is finished with oregano.

Horiatiki pronunciation

Horiatiki is pronounced hor-ya-tee-kee.

Serving suggestions

There are so many ways to serve this Greek Horiatiki Salad!

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip:  Use the freshest vegetables you can find, as well as good quality olive oil and vinegar for maximum flavor.
  • For best results, toss the salad with the vinegar and oil no more than 1 hour in advance, adding the feta just before serving.
  • Customize this Horiatiki salad with your favorite variety of tomatoes, or add chopped green or yellow bell pepper as well.
  • Recipe is easily scaled to feed a crowd as needed!
Greek horiatiki salad with crumbled feta on top

More Greek recipes you’ll love:

Did you try this recipe?

If so, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below, and don’t forget to tag @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram!

Horiatiki in a bowl with a fork

Horiatiki (Greek Village Salad)

Servings: 2 servings
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins
Additional Time: 0 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Horiatiki, or Greek Village Salad, will transport you to the islands of Greece! It's fresh, flavorful and finished with a simple drizzle of oil and vinegar for the perfect summer salad!
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Ingredients

  • 2 medium tomatoes cut into wedges then halved
  • 1 medium medium cucumber I used seedless
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 12 kalamata olives
  • 2 ounces feta cheese cut into thick slices or cubes
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • dried oregano for serving
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Place the tomato, cucumber, red onion and kalamata olives in a medium bowl (If using cubed or crumbled feta instead of a thick slice, add that now as well).
    2 medium tomatoes, 1 medium medium cucumber, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 12 kalamata olives
  • Add the red wine vinegar and stir to combine. Add the olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste, then stir until incorporated.
    2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Divide the salad between (2) plates and top with a slice of feta, a quick drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of dried oregano. Serve and enjoy!
    2 ounces feta cheese, dried oregano

Video

Notes

  • Pro tip:  Use the freshest vegetables you can find, as well as good quality olive oil and vinegar for maximum flavor.
  • For best results, toss the salad with the vinegar and oil no more than 1 hour in advance, adding the feta just before serving.
  • Customize this horiatiki salad with your favorite variety of tomatoes, or add chopped green or yellow bell pepper as well.
  • Recipe is easily scaled to feed a crowd as needed! 

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 25mg, Sodium: 708mg, Potassium: 491mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 1311IU, Vitamin C: 22mg, Calcium: 184mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Salads
Cuisine: Greek
Author: Marcie
Keyword: Greek village salad, horiatiki, horiatiki salad
All recipes and images © Flavor the Moments.
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

**This recipe was originally published in July 2018. Step by step photos have been added, and the text has been modified to include more recipe information.

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