Traditional Greek salad without lettuce

An authentic Greek salad contains no lettuce. What it does contain: tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives and feta. That is it. Cherry tomatoes are a deliberate choice in this recipe: they are sweeter and juicier than regular tomatoes, and they create that pool of tomato juice at the bottom of the bowl that are perfect for dipping bread.

Greek salad dressing with lemon and oregano

The traditional Greek salad dressing is not a complicated sauce. It is a simple combination of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and dried oregano. In northern Greece, a splash of red wine vinegar is sometimes used instead, and both are considered authentic. We keep it halal, so the latter is so the wine vinegar is not an option. The dressing blends naturally with the tomato juices as you eat, creating a rich, savory sauce at the bottom of the bowl. Always serve with sturdy bread on the side for dipping.

Tips for the best Greek salad with feta cheese

Choose cherry tomatoes that are truly ripe and sweet. For the feta: look for Greek feta made from sheep’s milk. It is crumbly, salty and creamy all at once, which is exactly what this salad needs. Rather than crumbling the feta, cut it into cubes. Want to turn it into a complete meal? Add a thick slice of sourdough bread and serve the Greek salad as a main course.