Greek Salad Dressing

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This Greek Salad Dressing recipe is one of my go-to dressing recipes. You know I’m a Greek gal and I love my Greek food. This recipe is authentic, and perfect for a fresh Greek Salad. The best part about this dressing is that it’s made with only a few simple ingredients and it’s incredibly versatile. You can use this recipe on not just salads, but also as a marinade for meat, drizzled over roasted or barbecued veggies, or as a dressing for your favorite grain bowl. The options are endless so I always like to have this prepped and in my fridge for easy access.

The history of Greek Salad Dressing is intertwined with the simple, fresh ingredients in Greek salad. Originating in the countryside of Greece, the famous Greek salad used fresh, in-season produce that was in abundance to the area (cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, and olive oil). This dressing uses a high-quality olive oil, seasoning such as salt and oregano, and sometimes you’ll find it with lemon juice or vinegar. Since Greek cuisine has spread globally, you’ll find different variations to Greek Salad and Greek Salad Dressing but this is the one I grew up with.

Maria Koutsogiannia

Maria is the creator of FoodByMaria and your go-to Greek food expert for cozy, flavor-packed recipes. Inspired by her Mediterranean roots, she brings traditional Greek flavors, feel-good ingredients, and a whole lot of joy to everyday cooking.

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Lemon being muddled in bowl to add to Greek Salad Dressing.

Why You’ll Love This Greek Salad Dressing

Quick: Make this delicious homemade Greek Salad Dressing in only 5 minutes. Making your salad dressings is so easy, healthier, and underrated! It’s also so much better than buying store-bought salad dressings that contains a long list of ingredients you have never heard of before. By making your own, you know what goes into it and it’s so easy!
Minimal Ingredients: This is the best dressing and it is made with less than 10 simple ingredients. You probably already have most of these ingredients in your house. Whipping up a salad dressing at home is quicker than you think because literally you can just pull out a few ingredients from your pantry and voila!
Versatility: This dressing is versatile and can be used on any salad, veggies, or even as a marinade. This dressing is full of flavor and a staple in my household.

Ingredients

Olive Oil: It’s important to use quality olive oil in Greek Dressing. Look for extra-virgin in a jar that isn’t clear. A good olive oil 100% tastes different! And please for the love of dressing, do not use things like vegetable oil instead. Here is my Olive Oil 101 guide to know exactly what to look for.

Red Wine Vinegar: Don’t swap your vinegar for anything else here unless you want to have a different taste completely. Red wine vinegar is made with fermented red wine and provides the right flavor and tang for the best Greek Salad Dressing. Some people like to use lemon instead of red wine vinegar, or a combination of both in their dressing. If you do decide to use lemon, the only way to go is by using freshly squeezed juice.

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Herbs: I use oregano in my homemade Greek Dressing because it makes it authentic, however, there is nothing wrong with swapping it out for another herb like thyme or rosemary. It’ll provide a different flavor but still will be delicious and versatile. Oregano is found in a lot of Greek cuisine so it is a staple in my household!

Jar of Greek salad dressing sitting on cutting board with a knife and garlic cloves

How to Make Greek Salad Dressing

So many people opt for store-bought salad dressings, and I think that’s because they don’t realize how easy it is to make them homemade. Homemade dressings are way healthier because there are no preservatives and you know exactly what is going into the dressing. This Greek Salad Dressing recipe is so easy and delicious. Here are the simple steps to make it:

1. To a medium-sized mason jar add all the ingredients and shake till well combined.

2. Use immediately and store it in the fridge for at least 10 days.

Substitutions & Additions

Herbs: Get creative, if you want to add dried thyme or dried rosemary that would work great too!
Vinegar: White wine vinegar or champagne vinegar could work too, it’ll give a different flavor but still be delicious.
Lemon: You can omit the lemon entirely but I love the freshness it gives. Please don’t use bottled lemon juice either, you won’t get the same flavor.
Garlic: You can use more or less garlic depending on your preference of flavor.
Mustard: You’ll notice when making homemade dressings that you’ll often find Dijon mustard in them. This can give a unique flavor profile to your dressing and is an easy addition. Start small and add more as needed. This can also make your dressing more on the creamy side of things.

Serving Suggestions

Use this Greek Salad Dressing as a bread dip with pita or fresh sourdough
Drizzle this dressing on veggies before you throw them on the BBQ or bake them in the oven
Marinade your meat like chicken, lamb or beef in this dressing for a zesty, fresh flavor

Other Salad Dressings You’ll Love

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover Greek Dressing in the fridge in a jar for at least 10 days. Just shake it up again before using it. If your olive oil congeals, don’t worry, you just need to leave the dressing at room temperature for a little while and then shake it up. It’ll go back to normal

Common Questions

What should I eat with this dressing?

Other than an authentic Greek salad, you can also use this dressing on any of your favorite salads, on cooked or raw veggies, on a grain bowl, to marinate tofu, tempeh, or your favorite feta. Salad dressing doesn’t just need to be used on salad. No matter what kind of dressing you are making, it has multiple uses and can be a fantastic marinade. You can also get creative with this recipe and add your fav fresh herbs to the mix as well.

Is Greek salad dressing easy to make?

Yes! Making your salad dressings is so easy. I highly recommend making your own and storing them in the fridge to have on hand. This way you know exactly the ingredients going into them, and they’re healthier than what you buy at the store.

What do I do if my dressing went hard in the fridge?

Your olive oil and other ingredients will separate in the fridge. Just leave your jar of dressing on the counter for about 30 minutes before serving and it should melt. If not, you can pop it in the microwave for a few seconds and give it a good shake.

What is the oil to acid ratio in a good homemade salad dressing?

A common starting point is a 3:1 ratio of oil to acid, but you can adjust this to your taste.

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