This Chopped Greek Salad is a must-try and one of the healthiest salad recipes! It comes together fast and is loaded with crisp romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and avocado, with tangy bites of olives and feta cheese. You will fall in love with the homemade Greek salad dressing. 

Chopped Greek Salad with Lettuce served in a blue bowl with dressing

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

I could eat this salad as a stand-alone meal paired with some fluffy and crisp Focaccia Bread. Sometimes we add gyro meat or grilled chicken if serving it as a dinner salad.

One of my readers, Ella Z. shared this recipe with us years ago and I’m so glad she did. Here is her story of how this Chopped Greek Salad was born is: “The person that taught us this recipe was here on a visit from Israel, we kept cooking different kinds of dishes and he said “please stop cooking for me and take me to the market” lol He bought all these ingredients and made this salad and we have never been the same since!”

Chopped Greek Salad Video Tutorial

I’ll never stop loving this recipe, and I hope this Chopped Greek Salad recipe becomes a new favorite go-to salad recipe for you.

Ingredients for Chopped Greek Salad

Chopped Greek Salad (a play on Traditional Greek Salad) is basically a Mediterranean salad that is chopped into bite-sized pieces and includes romaine lettuce and avocado to bulk it up, which is perfect for serving a crowd. It’s naturally gluten-free (although I’ve been known to sprinkle in some crunchy croutons) and typically combines fresh ingredients:

  • Cucumbers – use an English cucumber or garden cucumbers
  • Tomatoes – either cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or heirloom tomatoes cut into chunks
  • Avocado – adds an irresistible creaminess – this is optional, but so nice!
  • Sweet bell peppers – any color will work here; red, green, yellow, orange
  • Red onion – adds depth to the salad
  • Kalamata olives – adds a briny tang, but you can substitute with green olives or black olives, but black olives have less flavor.
  • Feta cheese – You can use just about any feta for this salad, and it will be tasty. We prefer block-style feta cheese like the one we used for Feta Pasta. Also, look for feta made of sheep’s milk, which is creamier with a lighter taste.
  • For the Greek Dressing: The simple lemon, olive oil, and garlic dressing make every bite memorable. This salad is a staple not only in Greece but throughout the Mediterranean region.
Ingredients for Greek Salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olives and feta cheese

Natasha’s Tip for Buying Olives

Buy kalamata olives that are already pitted for easier salad prep. Sometimes you can even buy them pre-sliced. Lately, I’ve been buying the big jar from Costco because my family loves this salad so much!

Greek Salad Dressing

The Greek salad dressing is so easy and flavorful – you will want it on all of your salads! You might recognize it from some of our most popular recipes like Chicken Avocado Salad, this Cucumber Avocado Salad, or healthy Tuna Salad. The ingredients for Mediterranean dressing are so simple but each ingredient is important so be sure to use:

  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice (not from concentrate)
  • A good extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh garlic (not powder or pre-chopped garlic)
Pouring Greek Salad Dressing over Chopped Greek Salad

How to Make Choped Greek Salad

For gatherings or dinner parties, I arrange all of the salad ingredients on the platter for a beautiful presentation then add dressing and toss it all together just before serving.

  • Prep Lettuce: Chop, rinse and spin dry lettuce and arrange over the bottom of a salad bowl.
Romaine lettuce in salad spinner prepped for salad
  1. Prep Veggies: Chop and arrange the remaining ingredients (avocado, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, onion, and cucumbers) over the salad, then sprinkle on Feta Cheese.
Ingredients sliced and prepped for chopped greek salad
  1. Make the Greek Salad Dressing: shake all of the dressing ingredients together in a mason jar. Just before serving, drizzle over the salad to taste and toss to combine.
Chopped Greek Salad served in a blue bowl with side of Greek salad dressing ready to drizzle

Make-Ahead Salad Tips

Whether you are assembling this Greek salad for meal prep, to-go lunches, or planning for a party, these tips will keep your green salads vibrant and fresh:

  • For crisp lettuce, rinse your romaine lettuce in cold water, then use a salad spinner to dry completely. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Prep and refrigerate most of your salad 3-5 days in advance except for tomatoes and avocados which are best added fresh.
  • Add dressing just before serving. The salt in the dressing can cause the salad to wilt.
Tossed Chopped Greek salad with serving spoon

Our Favorite Greek Recipes

If you love fresh Mediterranean flavors, these are a must-try!

Chopped Greek Salad with Lettuce and Avocado

4.98 from 82 votes
Chopped Greek Salad with lettuce recipe in a bowl with dressing
This Greek Salad is a must-try! It is one of the healthiest Mediterranean salad recipes, naturally gluten-free and full of fresh, raw veggies. You will love the healthy Greek Salad dressing. So delicious and guilt-free! 
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 people as a side salad

Greek Salad Ingredients:

  • 1 romaine lettuce head, chopped
  • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 bell pepper, (any color), chopped
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved (or slice heirlooms when in season)
  • 1 English cucumber, sliced
  • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, sliced into thirds
  • 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled

Greek Dressing Ingredients:

Instructions

  • Rinse, chop and spin dry romaine lettuce and transfer to a large salad bowl. 
  • Add remaining salad ingredients to the bowl: sliced red onion, sliced bell peppers, halved tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced avocado, kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
  • Combine all Greek dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake to combine. Just before serving, drizzle dressing over the salad to taste and toss to combine.

Nutrition Per Serving

203kcal Calories9g Carbs4g Protein17g Fat4g Saturated Fat16mg Cholesterol587mg Sodium355mg Potassium3g Fiber3g Sugar1065IU Vitamin A27mg Vitamin C116mg Calcium0.8mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Chopped Greek Salad with Lettuce and Avocado
Amount per Serving
Calories
203
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
17
g
26
%
Saturated Fat
 
4
g
25
%
Cholesterol
 
16
mg
5
%
Sodium
 
587
mg
26
%
Potassium
 
355
mg
10
%
Carbohydrates
 
9
g
3
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
1065
IU
21
%
Vitamin C
 
27
mg
33
%
Calcium
 
116
mg
12
%
Iron
 
0.8
mg
4
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Keyword: greek salad, mediterranean salad
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 203
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
4.98 from 82 votes (40 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • lauren kelly
    February 22, 2019

    This is the perfect salad! It’s my favorite!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      February 22, 2019

      Thank you Lauren! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 22, 2019

      I’m so happy to hear that, Lauren! Thank you for that great review!

      Reply

  • Tetiana Shambra
    December 11, 2018

    Hi! Where can I buy Kalamata olives?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 11, 2018

      We purchased them in a store called Rosauers. They should have them in the major grocery stores like FredMeyer, Albertsons. Maybe at Walmart. Which stores have you checked?

      Reply

  • Ema
    January 7, 2017

    I made this on a recent trip with friends and everyone loved it! It was a side dish and people got seconds of only salad and asked me for the recipe. It’s sooo yummy. Didn’t change a thing. Thank you Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 7, 2017

      Awesome!!! I am happy to hear you loved it Ema! 🙂

      Reply

  • Bradford
    June 4, 2016

    Regards for helping out, excellent information.

    Reply

  • Tanya Khochay
    November 26, 2014

    Great salad i added honey and balsamic vinegar to the dressing and it was a hit!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 26, 2014

      Thanks sis, I’m so happy you liked it! 🙂 How was your party?

      Reply

  • Rog
    July 5, 2014

    Hello Miss Natasha, This recipe looks absolutely delicious and Its perfect for our weekend family dinner.. Thanks for the share and I must try this!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      July 6, 2014

      Hi Rog and thank you! I hope you love the salad. It’s a family favorite in our home 🙂

      Reply

  • Inna
    April 23, 2014

    This salad is addicting. Bought all the ingredients yesterday to make it again and again. I made it 4 times last week. I can eat it nonstop! I am a big fan of a Greek salad, and this recipe is the best!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 23, 2014

      Inna, thank you for such a great review :). Reading your comment tells me that you are definitely addicted to it :D.

      Reply

  • Olviya@servingsisters.com
    April 17, 2014

    I’m eating a giant bowl of this salad as I am typing this up. 🙂
    For the past year or so I’ve been making this salad per this recipe:

    http://greek.food.com/recipe/kittencals-famous-greek-salad-66596

    It’s pretty much identical to yours except for the dressing which includes a few more (probably in your pantry already) items that I feel like make the dressing even more flavorful!

    Beautiful photos!..and I loved reading the blurb on the origin of this recipe as well.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 17, 2014

      If you haven’t tried this simple dressing, I hope you give it a chance. It’s amazing how a few simple ingredients make for one amazing dressing! Thanks for sharing the link; I love trying new things. And thanks for the compliment! I enjoyed photographing this salad 🙂

      Reply

  • Elina
    April 15, 2014

    My husband and I had this salad for a late night dinner recently and loved every bite. I also added some shrimp sauteed with cayenne pepper, fresh squeezed lemon, salt, and a bit of pepper and this was an outstanding addition 🙂
    Great recipe, Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 15, 2014

      Oh my goodness that sounds bomb with shrimp! I want that so bad now! Thanks alot! 😉

      Reply

      • Elina
        April 15, 2014

        Btw, that was meant to be 5 stars, my fingerwork wasn’t very graceful 😉 LOL

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          April 15, 2014

          Thanks Elina! 🙂

          Reply

  • kristina
    April 12, 2014

    You can add it to the dressing i guess 🙂 i dont make mine as fancy as yours:) so i just cut and mix all the veggies…press garlic and pour dressing over: )

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 12, 2014

      Thanks Kristina! I’ll try it for our next adults only gathering. My son yells “spicy!” When he tastes fresh garlic 🙂

      Reply

  • kristina
    April 11, 2014

    Yep:) i make this salad all the time!!! Love it!! Try adding couple cloves of garlic:)) so so good! It could replace a meal:)

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 11, 2014

      Do you add garlic into the dressing?

      Reply

      • Dina
        April 26, 2014

        Just add some pressed garlic into the dressing it takes it to the next level.

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          April 26, 2014

          Thanks Dina! 🙂

          Reply

  • Katya
    April 9, 2014

    This looks delish! We love greek salads in our households 🙂 I like the avocado and bell pepper addition.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 9, 2014

      It was so nice. I’m so in love with avocados and the sweet bell peppers were a great compliment to this salad!

      Reply

  • Olena@iFOODreal
    April 9, 2014

    People from Israel differently know how to make Greek salads. I make exactly the same one that my husband taught me.:) THis looks divine and I love the colours and the blue bowl!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 9, 2014

      I need to try more recipes from that part of the world, both from Israel and Greek recipes. I think I just need to travel more 😉

      Reply

  • Oksana
    April 9, 2014

    Where do you buy your Kalamata olives? I cannot seem to find any here in Philly.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 9, 2014

      We purchased them in a store called Rosauers. They should have them in the major grocery stores like FredMeyer, Albertsons. Maybe at Walmart. Which stores have you checked?

      Reply

  • Julia
    April 8, 2014

    Just Made this yummy salad for dinner today! It was amazing! Thank you so much for the recipe!! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 8, 2014

      You are quick and you’re so welcome. I love to share good things and I’m so glad Ella shared the recipe with me 🙂 Good things are meant to be shared!

      Reply

  • Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg
    April 8, 2014

    Photos are gorgeous. I love Greek salad.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 8, 2014

      Norma, thank you so much 🙂 me too! It’s just a feel-good (and taste-good) food!

      Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 8, 2014

      Norma, thank you so much 🙂 me too! It’s just a feel-good (and taste-good) food!

      Reply

  • Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking
    April 8, 2014

    This salad looks like Summer! So bright and fresh! I love the simple vinaigrette and the story behind it!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 8, 2014

      Isn’t it a great story?! It totally makes me want to go to the market and eat salad for the rest of the week 😉

      Reply

  • Yelena B.
    April 8, 2014

    Ella always makes a bigger portion when I come over. Absolutely the best and healthiest salad ever!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 8, 2014

      You already know it’s good! 🙂 I’m so happy she shared this little treasure with us 😉

      Reply

    • Ella
      April 9, 2014

      :))) Thanks Lena!

      Reply

  • Anna
    April 8, 2014

    It is my favorite salad! I eat it all the time!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 8, 2014

      I just bought more ingredients for today again :).

      Reply

  • moms dish
    April 8, 2014

    I love Greek Salad from Panera. I think I would like this one too! Will give your recipe a try 😉

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 8, 2014

      I haven’t tried theres; I don’t think we have a Panera around here 🙂 Maybe we will one day!

      Reply

As Featured On

Never Go "Hangry" Again!

Get weekly updates on new recipes, exclusive giveaways plus behind the scenes photos.