Savor the Flavors: Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
Are you looking for a fresh and healthy recipe to brighten up your summer? Look no further than this delicious Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette! This dish is full of vibrant colors and flavors that are sure to impress your dinner guests or liven up your lunchtime routine.
Not only is this salad visually stunning, but it is also packed with wholesome ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, red cabbage, and fresh mesclun and romaine lettuce. Plus, it features classic Mediterranean staples like feta cheese, kalamata olives, and a tangy red wine vinaigrette.
Whether you’re hosting a cookout or just looking for a new weekday recipe, this Greek Salad is an excellent choice. It’s simple to make, bursting with flavor, and perfect for meal prep – so you can enjoy healthy lunches all week long.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re a fan of Greek salads, then you’re going to love this one even more. The Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette recipe is a classic dish that’s perfect as a side dish or main course. This salad has everything you need to enjoy your greens and feel satisfied.
One reason you’ll love this recipe is that it’s incredibly easy to make. With ingredients like kalamata olives, feta cheese, red bell peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes combined with the delicious dressing, it’s hard not to love the flavors in this salad. Plus, the preparation time is minimal, so you can have this on the table within minutes.
Another reason why you’ll love this recipe is that it’s perfect for people who are health-conscious. The ingredients used in this recipe are fresh vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals essential for the body.
Gone are the days when salads meant boring iceberg lettuce and bland dressing. No more adding unhealthy croutons or bacon bits. The Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette contains all of nature’s goodness with an added tangy flavor from the vinaigrette dressing.
This recipe is also versatile; it’s an excellent base recipe that allows for substitutions and pairings. Want to add meat? Go ahead and char-grill some chicken and mix it with your salad for some extra protein. If you prefer gluten-free salads or vegan alternatives, swap out the feta cheese or remove altogether.
Overall, there are plenty of reasons to love this recipe. It will fit your busy schedule while still providing delicious nutritious food. It’s healthy, refreshing, and full of flavors that will leave everyone wanting more!
Ingredient List
Salad:
- 2 cups of mesclun
- 2 cups of chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup of sliced red cabbage
- 1/4 cup of sliced red onions
- 1/2 cup of diced red bell pepper
- 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1/3 cup of pitted kalamata olives
- ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup of sliced white mushrooms
Red Wine Vinaigrette:
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried mint
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- juice of one fresh lemon (around approximately 1/4 cup)
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced (around approximately 1 tsp)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp sugar
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Tips:
When buying ingredients for the salad, make sure to choose ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers and use red bell peppers that are firm to the touch. These ingredients are essential for making a fresh tasting salad. Also, make sure to rinse your vegetables well before serving.
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Prepare the vegetables
- 2 cups mesclun or romaine lettuce
- ½ medium red onion, quartered and thinly sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 small cucumbers, peeled, and chopped
- 10 kalamata olives
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 4 white mushrooms, sliced
Prepare all your vegetables as instructed in the ingredients list.
Step 2: Make the Vinaigrette
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried mint
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
- Juice of one lemon (about two tablespoons)
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
In a small bowl, whisk together oregano, mint, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add vinegar and lemon juice and whisk until combined. Gradually add olive oil, whisking constantly until the dressing thickens slightly.
Step 3: Combine all ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add lettuce leaves and toss with about two tablespoons of the vinaigrette. Add in prepared onions, bell pepper, cucumber, olives, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Toss again to combine everything well.
Step 4: Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette
Drizzle the remaining dressing all over the top of your salad. Crumble some Feta cheese on it for an extra burst of flavor.
Step 5: Serve chilled
Your tasty Greek Salad With Red Wine Vinaigrette is ready to be served!
Substitutions and Variations
Now, let’s talk about some substitutions and variations you can make to this Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs. You can modify or add some ingredients to adjust the flavor, texture, or color of the salad without compromising its nutritional value.
If you are not a fan of feta cheese or prefer a vegan option, you can substitute it with crumbled tofu, vegan cheese, or nutritional yeast for a creamy and tangy texture. Similarly, you can replace Kalamata olives with green olives, capers, or sun-dried tomatoes for a briny and aromatic flavor.
You can also add protein to the salad by incorporating grilled chicken breast, shrimp, salmon, or chickpeas for vegetarians. For extra crunch and freshness, you can add chopped celery, carrots, jicama, or apple slices to balance the softness of the lettuce and tomatoes.
When it comes to the dressing or vinaigrette, you have endless possibilities to experiment with. Instead of using red wine vinegar or lemon juice as an acidic element, you can try balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, pomegranate juice, or lime juice for variations in sweetness and tartness.
Moreover, you can add some honey, maple syrup mustard or yoghurt instead of sugar or Dijon mustard for a unique taste. If you like it spicy and bold flavor profile, add some minced garlic cloves or jalapeño peppers balanced with dried herbs such as thyme, parsley or basil.
The possibilities are limitless when it comes to personalizing your Greek salad with red wine vinaigrette recipe. Be creative and use what’s available in your fridge to make a unique version that stands out at any gathering.
Serving and Pairing
:
Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette is a satisfying and flavorful meal in itself, but it also makes a great side dish or accompaniment to a larger meal.
You can serve this salad along with your favorite protein such as grilled chicken, lamb chops or fish for a complete and filling meal. The saltiness of the feta cheese and the tanginess of the vinaigrette pair well with seafood and chicken dishes.
If you are vegetarian, pair it with some grilled halloumi cheese or add some cooked chickpeas or edamame beans to make it more protein-packed.
The traditional Greek flavors of this salad also make it perfect to serve alongside other classic Mediterranean dishes such as hummus, tzatziki, grilled vegetables or dolmades. And don’t forget to have some fresh crusty bread on hand to mop up all the delicious vinaigrette!
For wine pairing, a light and refreshing white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay would be ideal. You can also opt for a dry rosé, which has enough acidity to balance the flavors of the salad. However, if you prefer red wine, go for something fruity and light like Pinot Noir or Beaujolais.
Overall, Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette is a versatile dish that you can enjoy at any time of the day – for lunch, dinner or even as a snack!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
The Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe is the perfect fit for meal preppers out there. This recipe is easily made ahead of time, and the ingredients are readily available in most grocery stores.
If you want to make a week’s worth of salad, you can easily store the salad and dressing separately. Do not mix the dressing before storing as this will make the salad soggy. Keep the vegetables in an airtight container, while the dressing should be kept in a separate jar or bottle. Stored correctly in the refrigerator, this salad will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days.
When it comes to reheating leftover salads, it’s always a bit tricky. But with greek salads, you don’t need to worry about it. Greek salads are best served cold without any heating needed. To enjoy this salad throughout the week, all you need to do is make sure you have enough dressing on hand and mix them together right before eating.
However, if you find your salad is too cold, let it sit for a few minutes outside of the fridge or place it on a plate instead of eating it straight from the container. Adding warm chicken or shrimp would also be an excellent addition if you prefer a warm meal.
Overall, this recipe is perfect for those who want to save some time during their busy weeks by preparing food ahead of time. It’s a no-fuss salad that can be stored and re-heated with minimum effort and maximum deliciousness.
Tips for Perfect Results
To ensure that your Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette turns out perfectly every time, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Invest in high-quality olive oil: The olive oil used in a salad dressing can make or break the flavor. I recommend using extra-virgin olive oil as it has a more robust flavor and aroma than regular olive oil.
2. Add the dressing right before serving: In order to avoid wilted lettuce and vegetables, toss the salad with the dressing just before serving.
3. Use fresh ingredients: The freshness of ingredients is crucial in making a tasty Greek salad. Make sure to choose ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and firm kalamata olives.
4. Be generous with the feta cheese: Feta cheese adds saltiness and creaminess to this salad. Don’t skimp on it!
5. Balance the flavors: To get the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity in your red wine vinaigrette, adjust the amount of honey and lemon juice accordingly.
6. Customize to your liking: While this recipe is delicious as is, feel free to add or substitute ingredients to create your own perfect version of the classic Greek salad.
By following these tips, you are sure to impress your dinner guests with a refreshing and flavorful Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette recipe is a delicious and healthy choice for any occasion. With its fresh and colorful ingredients, this salad is not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrients. The pairing of feta cheese, kalamata olives, and red wine vinaigrette dressing makes it a delectable treat that can be enjoyed as a side dish or even as a full meal.
Additionally, this recipe allows for many substitutions and variations to accommodate personal preferences and dietary restrictions. Whether you want to add or remove certain vegetables, switch up the dressing, or even turn it into a pasta salad or antipasto platter, the options are endless!
What’s more, this recipe is easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time for convenience. As an added bonus, the red wine vinaigrette dressing can also be used as a marinade for chicken or other meats.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a delicious and healthy salad option that’s versatile and easy to make, look no further than the Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette recipe. It’s sure to impress your guests and delight your taste buds!
Greek Salad With Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
Red Wine Vinaigrette
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon crushed dried mint
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Salad
- 3 cups romaine lettuce, torn
- 2 cups mixed salad greens or 2 cups mesclun, torn
- 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups cucumbers, sliced (1 medium)
- 2 medium tomatoes, cut into thin wedges
- 1 cup red onion, sliced
- 1 cup red onion, sliced
- 1 cup white mushroom, trimmed and sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, julienned
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup kalamata olive, pitted and sliced
Instructions
- For the Red Wine Vinaigrette: In a large jar with tight fitting lid, combine the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, mint, salt and pepper.
- Cover and shake well and set aside For the salad: In a large salad bowl, toss together the romaine, lettuce mix and cabbage.
- Add all the remaining ingredients and toss gently To serve the salad, shake the dressing, drizzle ove the salad and toss well Serve immediately.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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