Vegan Greek Salad

Discover the ultimate vegan twist on the classic Greek dish with our Best vegan Greek salad recipe. This traditional-style dish features fresh, crisp vegetables, tangy olives, creamy vegan feta cheese, and a homemade herb-infused dressing. Indulge in this plant-based delight's vibrant flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

Despite the abundance of options available, we couldn't resist giving our take on this recipe. The reason is simple - finding a truly satisfying version of this dish can sometimes be challenging.

The traditional style of Greek Salad holds a special significance for me as it brings back cherished memories from my teenage years. It was a dish I enjoyed countless times, thanks to my best friend's Greek relatives. Knowing my adoration for bold flavors and fresh food, her mom always made sure I had my fill of this salad.

The Classic Greek Salad was on top of my list, along with Tabbouleh Salad, also on this site. I have a thing for Mediterranean flavors and fresh salads.

Jump to:

• 💚 Why you will love it
• 🧾 Ingredients
• 🔪 Instructions
• 💡 Expert tips
• 📖 Variations
• 🥢 How to serve
• ❓ FAQ
• 🥡 Storage
• 🥗 More vegan salads
• 📋 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews and Comments

🧾 Ingredients

The secret to getting this delicious salad right is the quality of the list of ingredients.

• Plum Tomatoes add a burst of juicy sweetness and vibrant red color to the salad, enhancing its visual appeal and refreshing taste.
• Red Onion lends a mild, tangy flavor to the salad while adding a delightful crunch. They also contribute a beautiful pop of color.
• Vegan feta cheese block (we like Daiya and Violife): provides a creamy and tangy element to the salad, mimicking the feta's traditional flavor and texture while remaining plant-based.
• Kalamata black olives offer a briny and robust taste, elevating the Greek salad's overall flavor profile and contrasting the other ingredients pleasantly.
• Green bell pepper contributes a crisp and slightly sweet flavor to the salad, enhancing its crunchiness and refreshing notes to each bite. You can use red bell pepper, but it is not traditional.
• Extra-virgin Olive Oil: serves as the base for the vegan Greek salad dressing, lending a rich, fruity, and distinct flavor to the salad while providing healthy fats and a smooth mouthfeel.
• Cucumber: adds a cool and hydrating element to the salad, balancing out the flavors and textures while contributing a refreshing crunch.
• Dried Oregano is a staple herb in Greek cuisine, infusing the salad with its signature earthy and aromatic flavor, complementing the other ingredients beautifully.

Optional ingredients

Capers, red wine vinegar, romaine lettuce, and salt and pepper for the Greek salad dressing: Capers add a tangy and slightly briny flavor, while red wine vinegar enhances the overall acidity and depth of the dressing. Salt and pepper season the dressing to perfection, harmonizing the flavors of all the ingredients.

Some Greek salads don't include capers or red wine vinegar in the dressing. It's up to you.

🔪 Instructions

1. Slice the red onion into thin strips and soak them in water to mellow their flavor.
2. Chop your veggies into larger, rustic pieces, keeping the skin on.
3. Combine all the veggies in a mixing bowl along with the Greek dressing ingredients.
4. Season the salad by adding olive oil, vinegar, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt (remember that Feta, Kalamata Olives, and Capers are already salty, so go easy on the additional salt).

Place the vegan cheese on top without crumbling or mixing it when serving the chopped salad. The temptation to do so may arise, but by leaving it in chunks, you'll enjoy the delightful experience of having cheese in every bite as you eat the salad.

📖 Variations

Tofu Feta Option: For a delightful twist, consider using tofu feta as an alternative to regular cheese in this recipe.

Tangy Lemon Twist: To create a tangy dressing, simply add a splash of lemon juice to the dressing recipe.

Cherry or Grape Tomato Swap: While traditional Greek salad typically doesn't include cherry tomatoes, feel free to substitute plum tomatoes with cherry or grape tomatoes for a burst of flavor.

Filling Vegan Greek Pasta Salad: To make the salad more satisfying, add 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of cooked short pasta to create a vegan Greek pasta salad. If you prefer gluten-free options, choose a specifically gluten-free pasta variety.

Garlic Infusion: For a bolder flavor, mince one clove of fresh garlic or lightly sprinkle some garlic powder on top of the fresh veggies before mixing everything together.

🥢 How to serve

Get creative with your serving options for the Greek salad! Here are a couple of delicious ideas:

Serve the Greek salad in a large salad bowl and pair it with a side of pita chips or warm pita bread. The combination of the crisp salad and the crunchy pita provides a delightful contrast in textures.

Enhance the Mediterranean experience by serving the Greek salad alongside a Greek Fasolada. This hearty and filling white bean soup is super easy to make and pairs wonderfully with the salad's refreshing flavors.

For a light and refreshing meal, serve the Greek salad as a topping for grilled or roasted vegetables. Arrange a colorful assortment of vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers, on a platter and generously top them with the vibrant Greek salad.

For a Mediterranean-inspired wrap, fill a whole wheat or gluten-free wrap with the Greek salad and some black-eyed peas hummus or tzatziki sauce. Roll it up and enjoy a portable and flavorful meal on the go.

Serve individual portions of the Greek salad in hollowed-out red bell peppers or tomatoes. The natural cups created by the vegetables not only make for an eye-catching presentation but also add an extra layer of flavor to the salad.

Feel free to experiment and tailor the serving options to your liking, as the versatility of the Greek salad allows for endless creative possibilities!

❓ FAQ

🥡 Storage

To extend the life of the Greek salad:

1. Store the Greek salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent the ingredients from wilting or drying out.
2. If the salad includes the dressing, consider storing it separately and drizzling it over the salad just before serving. This will help prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
3. For optimal taste and texture, consume the Greek salad within 2-3 days of preparation. After this time, the vegetables may become less crisp, and the flavors may start to diminish.

For meal prep options:

1. Prepare the Greek salad in advance by chopping and storing all the vegetables in separate containers.
2. Store the dressing separately in a sealed container.
3. When ready to assemble the salad, combine the prepped vegetables and dressing in a bowl and mix well.
4. You can portion out the Greek salad into individual containers for convenient grab-and-go lunches or quick meals throughout the week.
5. If you plan to include tofu feta or any other cheese alternative, consider adding it to the salad just before serving to maintain its texture.

By utilizing proper storage techniques and incorporating meal prep, you can enjoy the Greek salad throughout the week while saving time and ensuring its flavors remain fresh and vibrant.

🥗 More vegan salads

Experience a warm and comforting delight with our couscous warm salad, featuring a medley of flavors and textures that will leave you craving for more.

Elevate your salad game with Mom's Homemade Salad Vinaigrette, a tried-and-true recipe passed down through generations, adding a burst of flavor to any salad creation.

Dive into the vibrant and nutrient-packed Vegan Kale Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing, a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Transport yourself to the flavors of the Middle East with our Traditional Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad, a refreshing blend of parsley, bulgur wheat, and zesty lemon that will transport you to sunny Mediterranean shores.

I really enjoy seeing classic salads transformed into vegan delights, just like this salad. The vegan Caesar salad & dressing here perfectly capture the essence of a traditional Caesar salad.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag a photo #ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

📋 Recipe