Horiatiki Salata (Greek Village Salad)
Local name: Χωριάτικη Σαλάτα
In short: Ripe tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, peppers and olives dressed with olive oil and oregano, topped with a slab of feta. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 325 kcal
Horiatiki means village salad, and that is what it is: summer vegetables cut in large pieces, olives, a little oregano and good olive oil, with a thick slab of feta on top. There is no lettuce. The salad depends entirely on ripe tomatoes, so make it when they are at their best. Serve it with bread to mop up the juices at the bottom of the bowl.
Instructions
- Soak the sliced onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain. This takes away the harsh bite.
- Put the tomato wedges and cucumber in a wide bowl and sprinkle with the salt. Let them stand for 10 minutes so the tomatoes release their juices.
- Add the onion, pepper rings, olives and capers. Pour over 3 tablespoons of the oil and the vinegar and toss gently.
- Lay the slab of feta on top. Sprinkle with the oregano and drizzle with the remaining oil.
- Serve at once, and break the feta into pieces at the table so everyone can mix it into the juices.
Tips
- Use the ripest tomatoes you can find. Out of season, small cherry tomatoes are usually sweeter than large pale ones.
- Look for feta sold in brine in a block. Dry pre-crumbled feta lacks the creamy texture the salad needs.
Questions and answers
Is there lettuce in a Greek village salad?
No. Horiatiki is built on tomatoes, cucumber, onion, pepper, olives and feta. Lettuce salads exist in Greece, but they are different dishes.
Why is the feta served in one piece?
A whole slab stays creamy and lets each person take what they want. Crumbling it into the salad is a common shortcut.
Can I make it ahead?
Cut the vegetables up to 2 hours ahead and keep them chilled, but salt them, dress them and add the feta just before serving, or the salad turns watery.
How long does it take to make Horiatiki Salata (Greek Village Salad)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Horiatiki Salata (Greek Village Salad)?
About 325 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 325 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 1050 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
