Mediterranean Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Mediterranean Salad is a fresh and flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or as a side to your favorite main course. Packed with crisp vegetables, tangy olives, and creamy feta, it offers a wonderful balance of textures and flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 large head Romaine lettuce or 2 medium (chopped, about 8 cups)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup sliced Persian cucumbers (or English cucumber)
• 3/4 cup sliced pepperoncini (drained)
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 cup garlic herb croutons
• Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the chopped Romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, pepperoncini, red onion, and Kalamata olives.
2. Step 2: Gently toss the salad ingredients to mix evenly without bruising the vegetables.
3. Step 3: Add the crumbled feta cheese and garlic herb croutons on top of the salad.
4. Step 4: Spoon the Greek yogurt over the salad or serve it on the side as a creamy dressing alternative.
5. Step 5: Season with freshly cracked black pepper to taste and toss lightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a tangier dressing, mix the Greek yogurt with a splash of lemon juice and olive oil before adding it to the salad.
• Substitute pepperoncini with mild banana peppers if you prefer less heat.
• Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein to make this a complete meal.

Storage

Store the salad components separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days to keep everything crisp. Combine just before serving to prevent sogginess. Leftover salad is best served fresh, but if needed, gently reheat any additions like chicken before mixing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

It’s best to prep the ingredients ahead but assemble the salad right before serving to maintain freshness and crunch.

What can I use instead of Greek yogurt?

You can substitute Greek yogurt with a simple vinaigrette or tzatziki sauce for a different flavor profile.

Mediterranean Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 146 reviews

A refreshing and vibrant Mediterranean Salad featuring crisp Romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, tangy pepperoncini, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and garlic herb croutons, all tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish, this salad bursts with Mediterranean flavors and textures.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Ingredients

• 1 large head Romaine lettuce or 2 medium heads, chopped (about 8 cups)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup sliced Persian cucumbers (or English cucumber)
• 3/4 cup sliced pepperoncini, drained
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 cup garlic herb croutons
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Dressing

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables: Rinse the Romaine lettuce thoroughly and chop into bite-sized pieces, approximately 8 cups. Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the Persian cucumbers, drain and slice the pepperoncini, and thinly slice the red onion.
2. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add the chopped Romaine, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, pepperoncini, red onion, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Toss gently to mix the flavors evenly.
3. Add Croutons: Just before serving, add the garlic herb croutons on top of the salad to maintain their crunchiness.
4. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, take 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt and whisk it smoothly to prepare the creamy dressing. Optionally, season with freshly cracked black pepper as desired.
5. Toss and Serve: Drizzle the Greek yogurt dressing over the salad and toss gently to evenly coat all ingredients. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh, crisp textures and bold Mediterranean flavors.

Notes

• To make this salad vegan, substitute feta with a plant-based cheese and use dairy-free yogurt for the dressing.
• For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of olive oil to the dressing.
• Use fresh garlic herb croutons for added crunch and aroma.
• Keep croutons separate until just before serving to avoid sogginess.
• Store leftovers without croutons and dressing in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Keywords: Mediterranean salad, Greek salad, healthy salad, no-cook salad, feta cheese salad, summer salad