Vegetarian Greek Salad Recipe

Prepare tomatoes

Core and dice tomatoes into roughly 1-inch pieces. Place in a large mixing bowl and lightly sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt to help draw out juices while you prepare other ingredients.

Prepare cucumber

If cucumber has thick skin, peel in alternating strips; otherwise leave skin on. Halve lengthwise, scoop out seeds if very watery, then slice into 1/4-inch half-moons. Add to the bowl with tomatoes.

Slice onion and pepper

Peel and halve the red onion; cut into thin half-moon slices about 1/8-inch thick. Core, seed, and thinly slice the green bell pepper into strips. Add both to the bowl.

Add olives and feta

Add the pitted kalamata olives and crumbled vegetarian feta to the mixing bowl. Gently toss the vegetables with the cheese and olives to combine, taking care not to mash the tomatoes.

In a small jar or bowl, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Secure lid and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds, or whisk until well emulsified.

Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning: add up to 1/4 teaspoon more salt or a little more lemon juice if you prefer brighter acidity.

Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly. Reserve the remainder to serve at the table.

Let the dressed salad rest at room temperature for 5–10 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then give it one final gentle toss. If the salad looks dry, drizzle in the reserved dressing a tablespoon at a time until desired coating is reached.

Taste and adjust final seasoning with a pinch of salt, a grind of black pepper, or a squeeze of lemon if needed. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and the additional 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano over the top for garnish.

Serve immediately with toasted pita chips or crusty bread on the side. Leftovers keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature and stir before serving.