This fresh and flavorful Mediterranean Salad is perfect for a quick lunch, light dinner, or side dish. Crisp romaine lettuce, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, red onions, and feta cheese are tossed in an easy Mediterranean vinaigrette dressing for the ultimate satisfying Greek-inspired salad.
This salad has the perfect balance of flavors, textures, and colors, making it a perfect side dish to elevate any main course.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
- Quick and easy to prepare: This salad comes together in minutes!
- Customizable: This salad is highly versatile and can be easily customized to suit your personal taste.
- Wholesome and nutritious: Packed with nutrient-rich ingredients, this salad is not only delicious but also nutritious.
- Satisfying and filling: Despite being light and refreshing, this salad leaves you satisfied without weighing you down.
Ingredients Needed
For the dressing
- Olive oil – The base of the vinaigrette. Olive oil also balances the acidity of the red wine vinegar.
- Red wine vinegar – Gives the dressing a bright and tangy flavor.
- Garlic
- Herbs and seasonings: Italian seasoning, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
For the salad
- Romaine lettuce
- Olives – Pitted and halved kalamata olives.
- Tomatoes – I use cherry or grape tomatoes, but any type can be substituted.
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Feta cheese
How to Prepare
For the detailed instructions, please see the recipe card.
- Prepare the vinaigrette dressing: Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or large measuring cup.
- Toss the salad and coat with dressing: Toss the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss again to coat evenly.
Flavor Variations
- Olives: Feel free to substitute black olives for kalamata olives.
- Peppers: Incorporate added flavor and texture by adding roasted red peppers, chopped green bell pepper, or chopped jalapeño pepper.
- Beans: Add chickpeas (garbanzo beans) or black beans for a boost of protein and added flavor.
- Leafy greens: Use your favorite salad greens in place of romaine lettuce. Ideas are kale, spinach, butter lettuce, Swiss chard, and arugula.
Helpful Tips
- Wash and dry your lettuce using a salad spinner to clean and remove excess moisture.
- Adjust the dressing to your taste. Taste the dressing before drizzling over the salad and adjust to your liking. Add more olive oil for extra richness, more vinegar for extra tanginess, or increase the amount of herbs and seasonings.
- Gently toss the salad to keep the delicate ingredients intact.
Common Questions
Yes, you can! The dressing can be made and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Be sure to shake or whisk before using.
Wash and dry your lettuce using a salad spinner and toss with the dressing just before serving. You can also store the salad separately and use the dressing on the portion of the salad you plan to eat immediately.
Since red wine vinegar is made from red wine (hence the name), there may be a slight trace amount of alcohol in it. During the fermentation process most of the alcohol is converted to acid (this is what makes the vinegar taste sour and tangy). The amount of alcohol is extremely low and is considered safe for those that abstain from alcohol.
Proper Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this salad with comforting tomato soup, chicken pesto pasta, or French dip sandwiches, or top it with delicious homemade croutons for added crunch and texture.
More Refreshing Salads
Mediterranean Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon minced fresh garlic
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- â…› teaspoon salt or to taste
- â…› teaspoon black pepper or to taste
For the salad:
- 6 cups tightly packed chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup pitted and halved kalamata olives
- 1 ½ cups halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups thinly sliced cucumbers cut into half moons
- ¾ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or large measuring cup.
- Toss together lettuce, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and feta cheese in a large bowl.
- Drizzle with dressing and toss again to coat as evenly as possible.
Notes
Nutrition
If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.
Jee
I made this recipe, and will DEFINITELY be making it again. It tasted unbelievably good, and was really enjoyable and easy.
Amy Brinkley
Thank you, Jee – I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Christine
Delicious! Refreshing ‘