Maroulosalata: The Essential Fresh Greek Lettuce Salad with Zesty Feta Dressing
Maroulosalata, a name that simply translates to “lettuce salad” from Greek, is far more than its humble designation suggests. It’s a cornerstone of Greek cuisine, celebrated for its refreshing crunch, vibrant flavors, and incredible versatility. This classic Greek lettuce salad is meticulously crafted with finely chopped crisp romaine lettuce, bright green onions, and an aromatic medley of fresh dill and mint. What truly elevates this salad is its lively lemon and garlic dressing, which I often enhance with crumbled feta cheese for an irresistible creamy, salty, and rich dimension.
During a memorable trip to Greece, my husband Mike and I discovered the sheer delight of Maroulosalata. We were instantly captivated by its unparalleled freshness and simple yet profound flavors. It’s a dish that embodies the Mediterranean diet – light, wholesome, and bursting with natural goodness. This salad isn’t just a side dish; it’s a culinary experience that transports you straight to the sun-drenched tavernas of Greece with every bite.
This traditional Greek lettuce salad is remarkably versatile, making it a perfect accompaniment to a vast array of dishes. Whether you’re serving grilled seafood, roasted meats, poultry, or a variety of vegetable-based entrées, Maroulosalata adds a bright, crisp contrast that complements nearly any meal. For those looking for a lighter main course, simply top this delightful salad with some succulent grilled chicken or fish, a handful of roasted vegetables, or a generous portion of hearty chickpeas, transforming it into a complete and satisfying meal.
The star of Maroulosalata is undoubtedly its invigorating dressing. This luscious creation starts with rich extra virgin olive oil, which forms the perfect base for zesty freshly squeezed lemon juice and pungent minced garlic. A touch of dried oregano is added to infuse that quintessential Greek aromatic essence, resulting in a dressing that is both vibrant and deeply flavorful. My personal touch involves blending in a little crumbled feta cheese, which not only imparts a delightful creamy texture but also contributes a subtle saltiness that perfectly balances the acidity of the lemon and the sharpness of the garlic. The result is a dressing so exquisite, it elevates the entire salad to a new level of culinary perfection.
I find this dressing so incredibly delicious and adaptable that I always prepare a double batch. Half is used immediately to generously coat the crisp lettuce and herbs for a fresh Maroulosalata, while the remaining half is stored in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator. This allows for quick and effortless meal preparation on busy days, ensuring I always have a flavorful dressing on hand to transform any simple green salad into a Greek-inspired masterpiece.
If you adore the dynamic flavors and varied textures found in Greek cuisine, you must explore my other beloved Greek-inspired salads. Try the wholesome Greek Quinoa Salad, the rustic charm of the Greek Village Salad (Horiatiki), the protein-packed Greek Chickpea Salad, the visually appealing Greek Spiralized Salad, or the comforting Greek Orzo Pasta Salad. Each offers a unique taste of Greece.
Should you prefer a dressing without feta, or simply wish to explore other flavor profiles, consider using my creamy and refreshing Dill Dressing or the rich and nutty Tahini Yogurt Dressing. Both offer excellent alternatives that pair beautifully with crisp greens.
Why You Will Adore This Maroulosalata
- Effortless Preparation: This salad is truly a savior on busy weeknights. In just 15 minutes, you can have a vibrant, flavorful dish ready to grace your table. Its simplicity makes it the perfect go-to recipe for any night of the week, requiring minimal cooking skills and effort for maximum taste.
- Infinitely Adaptable: One of the greatest charms of Maroulosalata is its flexibility. Like most great salads, this recipe serves as an excellent foundation for customization. Don’t fancy a particular herb? Feel free to swap it for one you love, such as parsley or chives. Craving extra texture and a satisfying crunch? Enhance it by sprinkling toasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or even a handful of crunchy pine nuts just before serving. The possibilities for personalization are endless, allowing you to tailor it to your exact preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand.
- The Quintessential Summer Salad: With its abundance of fresh, crisp lettuce and fragrant herbs, Maroulosalata is the epitome of a refreshing summer salad. It’s the perfect vehicle for utilizing the bounty of seasonal produce from your garden or local farmers market. Its light and invigorating nature makes it an ideal choice for barbecues, picnics, or simply a refreshing meal on a warm day.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with fresh vegetables and herbs, and dressed with healthy extra virgin olive oil, this salad is a powerhouse of nutrients. It’s naturally low in calories but high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for a balanced and health-conscious diet.
- Authentic Greek Flavors: Every ingredient in this Maroulosalata contributes to a genuinely authentic Greek taste experience. From the zesty lemon and pungent garlic to the aromatic dill and mint, each component works in harmony to deliver a flavor profile reminiscent of the sun-soaked Mediterranean.
Essential Maroulosalata Recipe Ingredients
Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the ingredients needed to create this exquisite Maroulosalata. For precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the complete recipe card provided at the bottom of this page.
For the Salad Base:
- Lettuce: My top choice for Maroulosalata is two hearts of romaine lettuce. Romaine is celebrated for its fantastic crisp texture and satisfying crunch, which holds up beautifully against the vibrant dressing. To ensure your lettuce remains perfectly dry and prevents any sogginess, I highly recommend using a salad spinner. Alternatively, you can soak the chopped lettuce in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes to crisp it up even further, then dry it thoroughly before assembling the salad.
- Green Onions (Scallions): I prefer to use both the white and green parts of 5-6 green onions. Their milder flavor is less overpowering than traditional onions, providing a gentle allium kick that complements the fresh herbs without dominating the salad. They add a subtle sweetness and a beautiful visual appeal.
- Fresh Herbs: The combination of chopped fresh dill and mint is crucial for the authentic flavor profile of this Greek salad. These herbs provide a burst of aromatic freshness that is truly invigorating. While dill offers a slightly anisy, grassy note and mint a cool, peppery essence, you can also experiment with a handful of fresh parsley for an added layer of herbaceousness.
- Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese is generously added to the salad for an extra hint of its signature salty and tangy flavor. Feta introduces a creamy, crumbly texture that beautifully contrasts with the crisp lettuce, making each bite more exciting.
For the Zesty Dressing:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For an unparalleled nutty and rich flavor, high-quality extra virgin olive oil is indispensable in this dressing. It forms the smooth, luxurious base that carries all the other flavors. Opt for a good quality Greek or Mediterranean olive oil for the most authentic taste.
- Citrus: The freshly squeezed juice from one large lemon is essential. It provides the vibrant acidity that brightens the dressing, cuts through the richness of the olive oil, and awakens the flavors of the fresh herbs and garlic. Always use fresh lemon juice for the best results, as bottled varieties lack the same brightness.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is paramount for the most potent and aromatic flavor. One clove provides the perfect punch. In a pinch, a good quality garlic puree can be used, but fresh is always recommended for superior taste.
- Dried Herbs: Dried oregano is a staple in Greek cuisine and a key ingredient here, infusing the dressing with its earthy, slightly peppery notes. Its dried form integrates well into the oil base, releasing its full aroma as it sits.
- Cheese: I love to crumble an additional 2 ounces of feta cheese directly into the salad dressing. This step adds an incredible creaminess and a subtle salty undertone that emulsifies beautifully with the olive oil and lemon juice, creating a more decadent and cohesive dressing.
- Seasoning: A touch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper is used to season the dressing, balancing all the flavors and bringing out the best in each ingredient. Remember to taste and adjust the seasoning to your personal preference.
Delicious Recipe Variations to Explore
- Experiment with Lettuce: While I highly recommend romaine for its exceptional texture and crunch, don’t hesitate to explore other crisp varieties. Gem lettuce offers a sweet, sturdy bite, while curly lettuce provides a lighter, frillier alternative. For an extra peppery kick, try adding some peppery arugula or delicate watercress to your greens mix.
- Enhance with More Vegetables: Elevate the salad’s nutritional content and flavor by incorporating more fresh vegetables. Finely chopped cucumber adds a cool, refreshing element, while thinly sliced radishes provide a sharp, peppery crunch. Consider adding vibrant cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), or even some marinated artichoke hearts for a Mediterranean twist.
- Diverse Fresh Herbs: Although fresh dill and mint are traditional and incredibly delicious, feel free to get creative with your herb choices. Fresh basil adds a sweet, aromatic note, while parsley offers a bright, clean flavor. A sprinkle of fresh oregano or chives can also introduce delightful variations.
- Tangy Vinegar Options: For those who enjoy an extra layer of tanginess, a splash of red wine vinegar can be a wonderful addition to the dressing. Alternatively, balsamic vinegar offers a sweeter, more complex acidity, while apple cider vinegar provides a lighter, fruitier note.
- Add Olives for Briny Flavor: Olives are a hallmark of Greek cuisine. While I often use green olives for their slightly milder, buttery flavor, Kalamata olives are an excellent choice for a more intensely briny and fruity taste. Black olives also work well, offering a rich, savory depth.
- Cheese Swaps: If you’re looking for an alternative to feta, consider creamy goat cheese, which offers a delightful tang and soft texture. For a different profile, thinly shaved Parmesan cheese can add a sharp, salty bite, or even grilled halloumi cubes for a warm, squeaky texture.
- Crunchy Nuts & Seeds: Introduce a delightful textural contrast by sprinkling toasted pine nuts, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds over the salad just before serving. Toasting them briefly in a dry pan enhances their flavor and crunch significantly.
- Protein Boost: Transform Maroulosalata into a hearty main course by adding your favorite protein. Grilled chicken breast, pan-seared shrimp, flaky salmon, canned tuna, or hard-boiled eggs are all excellent choices. For a vegetarian protein, roasted chickpeas or tender lentils work wonderfully.
- Add Grains: For a more substantial and filling salad, consider incorporating cooked and cooled grains such as orzo pasta, fluffy quinoa, or even couscous. They absorb the dressing beautifully and add a delightful chewiness.
Crafting Your Maroulosalata: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this fresh Greek lettuce salad is remarkably simple, requiring just a few straightforward steps to achieve a dish bursting with flavor and texture. Follow these instructions to prepare your perfect Maroulosalata with feta:
Step 1: Prepare the Salad Base: Begin by taking your finely chopped romaine lettuce, green onions (both white and green parts), fresh dill, and fresh mint. Place all these vibrant ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Gently toss them together to ensure an even distribution of the herbs and onions throughout the lettuce. The key here is gentle handling to maintain the crispness of the lettuce.
Step 2: Prepare the Zesty Feta Dressing: In a blender, combine the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, 2 ounces of crumbled feta cheese, sea salt, and black pepper. Blend these ingredients until the dressing is smooth and creamy. The feta will emulsify, creating a beautifully uniform texture. Once blended, taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as needed – perhaps a little more lemon for brightness or salt for balance. Pour this delicious dressing into a mason jar or a dedicated salad dressing container, ready for use.
Step 3: Dress and Serve the Salad: Just before serving, pour the freshly prepared dressing over the mixed salad ingredients in the large bowl. Using salad tongs, gently toss the salad until all the greens and herbs are evenly coated with the luscious dressing. Avoid over-tossing, as this can bruise the lettuce. Next, add the remaining crumbled feta cheese directly over the dressed salad and give it one final, light toss. Serve your Maroulosalata immediately to enjoy its peak freshness and crisp texture. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ideally with dressing separate if possible to maintain crispness.
Expert Tips for the Ultimate Maroulosalata
- Prep Ahead with Care: If you plan to prepare this salad in advance, it is crucial to keep the dressing separate from the greens until just before you are ready to serve. Dressing the salad too early will cause the lettuce to become soggy and lose its delightful crunch, compromising the overall texture of the dish.
- Embrace Freshness: The success of Maroulosalata hinges on the quality of its ingredients. Always opt for the freshest possible vegetables and herbs. This ensures the best flavor and guarantees that satisfying crunch that makes this salad so enjoyable. Visit your local farmers market for peak seasonal produce.
- Double Your Dressing Batch: This homemade feta-lemon-garlic dressing is incredibly versatile and delicious. Making a double batch is a smart move – use half for your current Maroulosalata and store the remainder in a jar in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 5 days, ready to elevate any quick salad on another day.
- Master the Chop: Finely chopping the romaine lettuce, green onions, dill, and mint is key to this salad. Smaller pieces ensure that every forkful contains a harmonious blend of all the ingredients and allows the dressing to coat everything evenly.
- Chill for Flavor Infusion: While this salad can be enjoyed immediately, allowing it to chill in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes before serving can help the flavors meld and deepen, enhancing the overall taste experience.
- Don’t Over-Dress: It’s tempting to drench a salad in delicious dressing, but with Maroulosalata, a light hand is best. Add the dressing gradually and toss until the greens are just coated. You can always add more if needed, but you can’t take it away!
Optimizing Storage for Freshness
To ensure your Maroulosalata remains as fresh and delicious as possible, proper storage is essential. Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best results and to prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy, I highly recommend storing the undressed salad components and the dressing in separate containers. Only combine them just before you are ready to enjoy your next serving. If your lettuce seems a little wilted after storage, a quick dip in an ice water bath for a few minutes can often revive its crispness before re-dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maroulosalata
Absolutely! Both the fresh salad components and the vibrant feta-lemon-garlic dressing can be prepared in advance, making it an ideal choice for meal prepping or entertaining. To maintain the crispness of the lettuce and prevent sogginess, it’s best to store the chopped salad ingredients in a separate airtight container from the dressing. Only combine the two elements right before you intend to serve, ensuring a fresh and crunchy salad experience.
The delightful vinaigrette dressing for Maroulosalata is quite stable and can be made up to 5 days in advance. Simply store it in a sealed, airtight container – such as a mason jar – in the refrigerator. Before each use, give the dressing a good shake or whisk to re-emulsify the ingredients and ensure all the flavors are perfectly blended.
For Maroulosalata, crisp romaine lettuce is my absolute favorite. Its sturdy leaves and refreshing crunch are perfect for holding up to the rich dressing without wilting quickly. Romaine also offers a slightly bitter note that balances the other flavors beautifully. However, other crunchy varieties like gem lettuce or even a crisp iceberg can also be excellent choices if you prefer a different texture.
Maroulosalata is incredibly versatile and complements a wide range of main courses. It’s a fantastic side for grilled meats like lamb chops, chicken souvlaki, or beef kebabs. It also pairs beautifully with fresh seafood, such as grilled fish or shrimp. For a vegetarian meal, serve it alongside lentil soup, roasted vegetables, or a hearty pilaf. Its refreshing profile cuts through richer dishes and brightens lighter ones.
Yes, you can easily adapt Maroulosalata to be dairy-free. Simply omit the feta cheese from both the salad and the dressing. The dressing will still be incredibly flavorful with the olive oil, lemon, garlic, and oregano. For a creamy texture without dairy, you could try blending a small amount of tahini into the dressing, or adding some dairy-free crumbled cheese alternatives to the salad itself.
Discover More Delicious Salad Recipes
Salads
Summer Orzo Pasta Salad
Mediterranean
Mediterranean Eggplant Salad
Mediterranean
Easy Lebanese Salad
Salad
Mediterranean Lentil Salad
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below! Subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on
Facebook,
Instagram, or
Pinterest for the latest.
Maroulosalata (Greek Lettuce Salad)
Pin
Ingredients
- 2 hearts romaine lettuce, chopped
- 5-6 green onions, white and green parts chopped
- 1 small bunch fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese, divided
Maroulosalata Dressing:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large lemon, juiced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped romaine lettuce, green onions, fresh dill, and fresh mint. Mix gently until well combined.
-
In a blender, prepare the dressing by combining the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, 2 ounces of crumbled feta cheese, sea salt, and black pepper. Puree until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Pour the dressing into a mason jar or a salad dressing container.
-
Just before serving, pour the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
-
Add the remaining 4 ounces of crumbled feta cheese to the salad and lightly toss one more time. Serve immediately or store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days (ideally with dressing separate).
Notes
- If you are making this ahead of time, it is highly recommended to leave the dressing off the salad until you are ready to serve to prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy.
- For the best flavor and crunch, always use the freshest possible vegetables and herbs.
- Consider making a double batch of the dressing and storing half in the refrigerator for a quick salad later in the week.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.