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A smartphone photo of an Authentic Greek Salad featuring large tomato chunks and thin red onion rings.

Authentic Greek Salad: The Ultimate Traditional Horiatiki Guide

This Authentic Greek Salad (Horiatiki) features juicy vine-ripened tomatoes, unpeeled cucumbers, thin red onions, and glossy Kalamata olives, all topped with a signature thick slab of feta cheese and a generous drizzle of golden olive oil.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 large Vine-Ripened Red Tomatoes Cut into large irregular chunks
  • 1 large Cucumber Unpeeled, thick half-moon slices
  • 1/2 medium Red Onion Sliced into thin, translucent rings
  • 1/2 (75g) Kalamata Olives Whole and glossy
  • 1 thick slab (200g) Feta Cheese Block form, do not crumble
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) Extra Virgin Olive Oil High quality, golden
  • 1 tbsp (2g) Dried Oregano Heavily sprinkled
  • 1/2 tsp Sea Salt To taste

Equipment

  • 1 Sharp Chef's Knife Essential for translucent onion rings.
  • 1 Shallow White Ceramic Bowl Traditional serving vessel.

Method
 

Vegetable Preparation
  1. Wash and dry the tomatoes. Cut into large, irregular chunks (about 1.5 inches) and place in a shallow white bowl.
  2. Slice the unpeeled cucumber into thick half-moons. Add to the bowl with the tomatoes.
  3. Slice the red onion into very thin, translucent rings. Scatter them over the tomato and cucumber base.
Assembly
  1. Toss in the whole Kalamata olives, ensuring they are evenly distributed and glossy.
  2. Place the thick rectangular slab of feta cheese prominently in the center of the salad.
  3. Generously drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the entire dish. Heavily sprinkle the dried oregano flakes over the feta and vegetables.

Notes

Always serve at room temperature for the best flavor.
Use a high-quality Greek olive oil for the most authentic experience.