Fresh Greek Salad is my new favorite salad. Full of all the fresh greens, vegetables, feta cheese, and my homemade Greek Freak dressing that you can possibly handle, you’re going to have a new “go-to” salad to serve anytime the occasion calls for it. 

Greek Salad with Greek Freak Dressing

There are a few ingredients necessary in my book for a salad to qualify as a “Greek Salad”. First, it better have great olives. Sure you can use any of those canned black olives if you want, but I seriously recommend finding a grocery store with an olive bar.

You get tons of choices of much better-tasting olives. There, you can find my favorite which is the big Kalamata olives.

Next, it better have some Feta cheese. How can it be Greek without some Feta? Serious, was there ever a question?

What are kalamata olives?

Kalamata olives are big and meaty. They are a dark eggplant purple color. Although they are a variety of olive and grown on multiple continents, the ones grown in a specific area of Greece qualify for a special designation.

If you are getting the kalamatas from the Peloponnese in Greece, then expect a much higher price than domestics.

The original kalamatas were grown in Laconia, which is where the Spartans were. I am pretty sure that meant preserving their honor and integrity was a serious point of pride. Don’t mess with the Spartans or their kalamatas.

The olives come brined and prepared for eating in either a white wine and olive oil mix or just in olive oil. Sometimes additional herbs are preserved with them as well to add more flavors.

Speaking of more flavor, you should serve this with some homemade Zaatar Manakish! It would be incredible! Also, this Greek Beet Salad is a perfect addition to your next Greek-inspired meal!

Get my easy Side Dish recipes!

What makes Feta cheese so perfect for this?

Feta cheese has to originate in Greece to be called Feta. Since 2002, it can only be real Feta cheese if it was made in Greece with the milk of Greek sheep.

Since very ancient times, Greeks take their sheep very seriously. Whenever it was time to make a big point with Saturn or Apollo or any of the others, then time to put a sheep on the grill.

But, toss the rams on the fire and save the ewes for milking and making that wonderful Feta cheese!

Good Feta is dry-aged cheese that crumbles very nicely. It is pretty salty, so don’t feel like you need to add extra salt with Feta in the mix.

Try with our Smoked Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup!

Are there any good substitutions for feta cheese?

If you can’t find any good Feta cheese in the dairy section or at the deli counter, then you may need another option instead. (But also, where do you live? Feta is errrrrywhere!)

You can use fresh ricotta, or goat cheese (chevre) or halloumi, or queso fresco from Mexico. These cheeses are a bit less salty than Feta. If you are trying to watch your sodium intake, then those are the way to go.

Can you still call it a Greek salad if you don’t use Feta cheese?

I don’t want to answer that, but I promise not to tell if you do. Just put on a bit of extra Greek Freak dressing to cover up the Feta being missing.

What is Greek Freak?

Greek Freak from Spiceology is a Mediterranean-themed spice blend. The seasoning includes garlic, herbs, a hint of red pepper, and dried onion powder in addition to a bunch of other things that I’m pretty sure are mostly magic. It tastes great on almost everything.

What else should go into this salad?

The leafy greens can be any mix of greens that you like. Romaine lettuce, spinach, arugula, and mustard greens all combine quite nicely. You can blend those in any ratio, or you can use the pre-mixed greens you find in the store. I particularly like the Spring Mix that you can get in the produce aisle.

I guess just like olives and Feta, having spinach in there only helps keep the Greek flare in full effect. Make sure you have some spinach in the greens. Popeye also approves. He isn’t Greek, but he knows the benefits of eating spinach.

More Greek-inspired recipes to enjoy!

If you want to eat more Greek-inspired cuisine (and you should), then check these recipes out:

• Greek Chicken Marinade
• Greek pasta salad
• Greek Freak Empanadas (I know the Greek version is called a “kreatopita”)
• More Greek Freak recipes