Mediterranean Salad

Studded with ripe cherry tomatoes, bite-sized feta, sliced cucumber and Greek olives, this Mediterranean salad recipe conjures up balmy Greek seasides and the coasts of Southern Italy. Herby oil and vinegar generously coat the romaine, keeping things light and refreshing. It’s the kind of salad to serve with Italian-inspired grilled pork chops and spicy fennel relish or lamb moussaka.

This healthy salad comes together in under 30 minutes and pairs brilliantly with other Mediterranean diet recipes. Use it as a side salad for dinner or when you need potluck salads to feed a crowd.

Ingredients for Mediterranean Salad

• Romaine lettuce: Crunchy romaine lettuce is our favorite in a recipe for Mediterranean salad. No need to chop the romaine—just roughly tear the leaves.
• Vegetables: Vibrant cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and roasted sweet red peppers join forces in this salad.
• Olives: Fruity, briny Greek olives like kalamata or Halkidiki are perfect for this recipe, adding a satisfying pop of saltiness with each bite.
• Feta: The salty, tangy Greek cheese makes a phenomenal addition to the Mediterranean salad recipe. I recommend buying a block of it instead of using precrumbled; you’ll notice a difference in freshness!
• Olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil as your dressing base. The best olive oil brands will range from fruity to buttery and will have a velvety texture.
• Red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar is sharp and sweet, and it will cut through olive oil’s fat to make a beautifully balanced dressing.
• Garlic: Adding garlic to savory dishes is the easiest way to make a good thing great. Its piquant flavor brings a delicate bite to this easy recipe for Mediterranean salad.
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning (which typically includes basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and marjoram) boosts the Mediterranean flavor of the salad dressing. Salt and pepper act as a finishing touch.

Directions

Step 1: Assemble the salad

In a very large salad bowl, combine the lettuce, cucumber, feta, tomatoes, red onion, red peppers and olives.

Step 2: Mix and drizzle the dressing

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Pour the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper into a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, then toss well to coat.

Editor’s Tip: Add freshly ground black pepper over the salad as a finishing touch.

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Mediterranean Salad Variations

• Add a protein: Transform this side into a main meal by adding a protein. Anchovies or sardines, grilled chicken, seared flank steak, shrimp or chickpeas—there’s no limit!
• Swap the feta: Grilled Halloumi is one of my favorite variations in this salad, especially during the summer. Mini mozzarella balls or shaved Parmesan hit all the right notes too, complementing the fresh, tangy flavors in a Mediterranean salad recipe.
• Try a different vinegar: While red wine vinegar builds on the Mediterranean flavors in this salad, you can easily swap it for balsamic, white wine or apple cider vinegar.
• Top it with croutons: Give that stale loaf of bread new life and make homemade croutons to toss into the salad.

How to Store Mediterranean Salad

While 90% of salads taste best the same day they’re prepared, you can still store leftover Mediterranean salad to tuck into later. Either tightly wrap the salad bowl with storage wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Pour leftover dressing into a jar. Keep both the salad and the dressing in the fridge.

How long does Mediterranean salad last?

Leftover Mediterranean salad lasts up to two days when refrigerated. The vinaigrette will last up to two weeks if you store it in a separate, well-sealed jar.

Can you make a Mediterranean salad ahead of time?

Anytime you’re dealing with fresh vegetables, the closer to serving time they’re cut and prepped, the better. Lettuce wilts. Veggies like cucumbers and tomatoes release their juices, turning the salad into a sog-fest. For the best results, make your recipe for Mediterranean salad only up to a couple of hours before serving it.

Mediterranean Salad Tips

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What’s the best way to chop vegetables for a Mediterranean salad?

The secret to correctly chopping veggies for salad isn’t a massive revelation to most. When wielding your knife, aim to cut the vegetables so the pieces are roughly the same size, neither too big nor too small. No one wants awkward bites when scoffing down a salad.

What is the best lettuce for a Mediterranean salad?

Of all the common lettuce varieties, romaine tops the list when it’s time to mix up a Mediterranean salad recipe. Crisp and refreshing, romaine lettuce brings an earthy, subtly bitter flavor and a robust texture to the salad that ensures it doesn’t get lost in the other ingredients.

What can you serve with a Mediterranean salad?

This is one of those side salad recipes that goes with virtually anything. Keep with the Mediterranean theme and pair it with mains like chicken souvlaki and kofta meatballs, or serve it with beloved Italian recipes like a traditional lasagna, shrimp scampi and chicken piccata with lemon sauce. Again, Mediterranean salad is a versatile salad—it’s a welcome barbecue side dish throughout the summer, not to mention a hit alongside hearty casseroles once winter arrives at your doorstep.