All Greek salads are delicious, but some are especially versatile and refreshing during warm spring and summer months.
From starters to side dishes to the main course and even dessert, these Greek salads can play many roles in your menu, and are perfect for your table when the temperature rises. Take them on picnics, serve at cookouts, or find a place for them on the dining room table. They can meet every need from casual to elegant.
Beet & Garlic Salad - Pantzaria Salata
Photo © Jim Stanfield
Greek menus include a wide variety of cooked vegetables we call "salads," and this cold beet and garlic salad is just such a dish. It's delicious, simple to make, healthy, and adds a strong shot of color to the table.
Classic Greek Country Salad - Horiatiki Salata
Photo © Jim Stanfield
No list of warm weather salads would be complete without the famous Greek salad. Ripe tomatoes, cucumber, onions, peppers, olives, and cheese (and not a leaf of lettuce) combine to make a salad that's a favorite as an appetizer, side dish, main course, or snack. (See this recipe in video.)
Crisp Cos (Romaine) Lettuce Salad - Maroulosalata
Photo © N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com
The most common lettuce used in Greek foods is Cos (Romaine), a lettuce that has been cultivated for over 5,000 years. This simple salad is a favorite all over Greece. Lettuce, green onions, fabulous herbs and a classic Greek salad dressing make this a welcome addition to any table.
Easy Fruit Salad with Orange Honey Dressing - Froutosalata
Photo © N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.
A simple combination of favorite seasonal fruits, this recipe is a warm weather favorite. In Greece, fruit and fruit salads are a favorite ending to a meal, and can also be served as a starter, snack, or light meal. Serve with your favorite cheeses.
Potato & Egg Salad - Patatosalata me Avga
Photo © N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Potato salad is a great addition to cookout and picnic menus. The oil and vinegar dressing for this fabulous potato salad adds just the right touch... and you'll never miss mayonnaise! Potatoes, boiled eggs, cucumber, onions, and a healthy helping of parsley create a delicious salad - a favorite for outdoor meals.
Shrimp & Honeydew Salad - Garithes Salata me Peponi
Photo © N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.
This is an easy way to bring color to your table. This refreshing salad combines the tastes of boiled shrimp with grapes and honeydew melon, and a light mint dressing. This is a fabulous choice as a main dish, side salad, or salad course.
Simple Potato Salad
Photo © Jim Stanfield
Lemon is a Greek favorite with potatoes, and this quick and easy classic potato salad relies on lemon to give it a touch of sharpness that goes so well with many main dishes. Whatever else is on the table, have some feta cheese nearby since potatoes and feta are a taste treat.
Watermelon & Feta Salad - Salata Karpouzi me Feta
Photo © N. Gaifyllia, licensed to About.com, Inc.
The combination of watermelon and feta cheese is a Greek favorite in summer. It's eaten as a snack or a light meal. This variation includes paper-thin slices of red onion, and a touch of balsamic vinaigrette to turn this fabulous taste combination into a refreshing hot weather salad. (See a version of this salad in video.)