This simple chopped salad is packed with Mediterranean flavors like tomato, cucumber, olives, feta, and a simple citrus-herb vinaigrette. Enjoy this chopped Greek salad with or without lettuce for potlucks, picnics, BBQ, and as a summery mid-week salad!
Rinse and finely chop all the vegetables using a sharp knife or food chopper. Then, juice the lemon.If you want to enjoy the salad over several days, it's a good idea to de-seed any seedy tomatoes and cucumber. That will help it to avoid becoming too "soggy" too soon.
Optionally, in a small bowl, whisk the greek vinaigrette.
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and toss well.I crumbled the feta directly into the salad, but feel free to chop/use little cubes of feta instead. It's up to you!
I then highly recommend allowing it to sit and "marinate" for 20-30 minutes before tasting, adjusting the seasoning if necessary, and enjoy!
How to Store?
Make ahead: you can chop the vegetables a day in advance and store them in separate containers. Some vegetables can be stored together, but keep the very "wet" ones - like tomato and cucumber – away from the dry ones. You could also prepare a large batch of the simple vinaigrette to use over several days. Then, when ready, simply combine everything. Store: once assembled, store the chopped veggie salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. The veggies will soften and release excess liquid in this time, becoming more "watery." If you want to store it for longer, keep the salad and dressing separate and store it for an additional day or two. If you want to enjoy the salad over several days, preparing the dressing separately in a small bowl/jar is a good idea. You can pour some on the first day and top it up before enjoying it the next time.
Notes
To speed up the prep: rely on a handy food chopper to get your ingredients ready in just a couple of minutes.
For a chunkier salad: if you prefer more of a traditional salad texture, simply chop larger pieces of the veggies and enjoy!
Allow it to "marinate": this will give all the flavors a chance to meld and create an overall more flavorful salad.
Use the best ingredients: this simple, fresh chopped salad relies on just a few fresh veggies – so make sure they’re high quality. During tomato season, I choose the best of the best. Small tomatoes like cherry tomatoes are best for the rest of the year, as they’re the juiciest option year-round.
For a vegan salad: simply swap out the feta for vegan feta, and you're good to go!
Check the blog post for more ingredient notes, optional add-ins, answers to top FAQs, and serving recommendations!