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🇬🇷 Greek Feta Salad Tower Recipe
Introduction: A Classic Greek Salad Reinvented
Greek salad — or Horiatiki — is one of the most iconic Mediterranean dishes, known for its simplicity, freshness, and bold flavors. But what if you could take those beloved ingredients and turn them into a dish that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious?
Introducing the Greek Feta Salad Tower — a modern, layered twist on the classic, designed to wow guests while keeping everything you love about traditional Greek salad: crisp vegetables, briny olives, creamy feta, and a zingy olive oil dressing.
This recipe transforms a rustic dish into an elegant plated appetizer, ideal for dinner parties, brunches, or romantic meals where presentation matters as much as flavor. Plus, it’s vegetarian, gluten-free, and endlessly adaptable.
Why You’ll Love This Greek Feta Salad Tower
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🧀 Elevated twist on a classic Greek salad
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🎨 Eye-catching presentation for special occasions
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🍅 Fresh, healthy, and loaded with Mediterranean flavor
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🕒 No cooking required — comes together in under 20 minutes
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✅ Vegetarian and gluten-free
Whether you’re serving a crowd or plating an Instagram-worthy starter for two, this stacked salad is a true showstopper.
Ingredients Overview
🧀 Feta Cheese
Use a high-quality Greek feta, ideally made from sheep’s milk. A block is best for clean slicing and stacking.
🍅 Tomatoes
Heirloom, Roma, or cherry tomatoes all work well. Use whatever is ripe, sweet, and juicy.
🥒 Cucumber
Adds crisp, refreshing crunch. English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers are ideal due to their thin skin and minimal seeds.
🧅 Red Onion
Provides sharpness and color contrast. Soak in cold water to mellow its flavor if preferred.
🫒 Kalamata Olives
Authentic and briny, these add depth and balance to the fresh ingredients.
🫒 Olive Oil & Red Wine Vinegar
The classic Greek salad dressing base — flavorful, sharp, and perfectly balanced.
🌿 Oregano (Fresh or Dried)
No Greek salad is complete without it. Fresh oregano adds brightness, while dried adds a concentrated punch.
Ingredient List (Serves 2–4)
Salad Components:
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4 oz block of feta cheese, sliced into thick slabs
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1 large vine-ripened tomato (or 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved)
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1/2 cucumber, sliced into thin rounds or ribbons
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1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
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6–8 Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
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1/2 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
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Fresh oregano or dill (for garnish)
Dressing:
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3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
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1 tbsp red wine vinegar
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1/2 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for creamier emulsion)
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1 small garlic clove, finely grated
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1/2 tsp dried oregano
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Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
Optional Add-Ins:
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Capers
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Roasted red peppers
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Sliced avocado
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Artichoke hearts
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Microgreens
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Toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds
Equipment Needed
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Ring mold or food mold (3–4 inch diameter)
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Sharp chef’s knife
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Mandoline (optional, for precision slicing)
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Small bowl for mixing dressing
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Plating spatula or spoon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
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Tomatoes: Slice large tomatoes into thick rounds. If using cherry tomatoes, halve them.
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Cucumbers: Slice thinly into rounds or lengthwise into ribbons.
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Red Onion: Thinly slice and soak in ice water for 10 minutes to mellow the bite.
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Feta: Slice block feta into ¼ to ½-inch thick pieces to stack easily.
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Olives: Halve and remove pits if necessary.
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Bell Pepper: Slice into thin rings or strips (optional for added crunch and color).
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together:
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3 tbsp olive oil
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1 tbsp red wine vinegar
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1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
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Grated garlic
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Dried oregano
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Salt and pepper
Taste and adjust acid/salt balance as needed.
Step 3: Assemble the Tower
Place your ring mold in the center of a small plate. Begin layering:
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Cucumber base — creates stability
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Tomato slice — for juiciness and flavor
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Feta slice — firm yet creamy
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Red onion + olives — for briny and sharp notes
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Drizzle dressing after each layer for absorption
Repeat the layers if you have height. Finish with:
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A final drizzle of dressing
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Fresh oregano leaves
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Cracked black pepper
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Optional: a decorative olive or cherry tomato on top
Step 4: Lift the Mold & Garnish
Gently press down on the top of the stack to compress slightly, then slowly lift the mold straight up to reveal the tower.
Garnish the plate with:
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Olive oil drizzle
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Fresh herbs
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Microgreens or edible flowers (for upscale plating)
Serving Suggestions
As a Starter:
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Pair with grilled sourdough or pita crisps
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Serve chilled alongside a lemony lentil soup or avgolemono
As a Main (Double the Recipe):
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Serve alongside orzo with lemon and dill
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Add grilled halloumi or falafel for protein
As a Part of a Mezze Platter:
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With dolmas, hummus, tzatziki, and grilled eggplant
Flavor Pairings
Best Wines:
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Dry rosé
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Sauvignon Blanc
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Assyrtiko (classic Greek white)
Non-Alcoholic:
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Iced mint tea
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Sparkling water with lemon
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Cucumber-lime spritzer
Customizations
For a Heartier Tower:
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Add cooked quinoa or lentils between layers
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Use grilled zucchini or eggplant slices
For a Creamier Texture:
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Spread whipped feta or tzatziki between layers
For Meal Prep:
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Prepare all components ahead, store separately, and assemble fresh
Make It Vegan:
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Use vegan feta or tofu seasoned with lemon and oregano
Greek Salad Tower vs. Classic Greek Salad
Feature |
Classic Greek Salad |
Greek Salad Tower |
---|---|---|
Visual Appeal |
Rustic, tossed |
Elegant, composed |
Serving Style |
Bowl or platter |
Individual plates |
Flavor |
Mixed and marinated |
Distinct, layered bites |
Ideal For |
Family meals |
Dinner parties, events |
Complexity |
Very simple |
Slightly advanced |
Nutritional Highlights (Per Serving Estimate)
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Calories: ~240
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Protein: 6g
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Fat: 20g
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Carbohydrates: 7g
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Fiber: 2g
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Sugar: 3g
Rich in healthy fats (olive oil), calcium (feta), and antioxidants from fresh vegetables.
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
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Prep ingredients 1 day ahead
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Store sliced components separately in airtight containers
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Assemble just before serving for best structural integrity
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Leftovers? Deconstruct and serve as traditional Greek salad the next day
⚠️ Do not freeze — the textures will suffer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I serve this warm?
It’s best served cold or room temperature. But you can use grilled tomatoes or zucchini for a warm twist.
Do I need a ring mold?
It helps with structure, but you can:
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Use a cleaned tuna can with top/bottom removed
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Stack by hand (use toothpicks if needed)
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Layer in a ramekin and invert onto a plate
Can I use crumbled feta?
For the tower structure, block feta is best. Crumbled feta works well for topping once plated.
Can I make this ahead for a party?
Yes! Prep ingredients ahead and assemble the towers 1–2 hours before serving. Refrigerate covered with plastic wrap.
What’s the best tomato type for towers?
Use large, meaty tomatoes like beefsteak or heirlooms for flat layers. Cherry tomatoes work better for rustic or ramekin-style towers.
Final Thoughts: Classic Flavor with Modern Elegance
The Greek Feta Salad Tower takes everything you love about traditional Mediterranean cuisine and elevates it with beautiful plating and thoughtful structure. It’s an easy yet impressive dish that brings a burst of freshness, flavor, and color to any occasion — all in under 20 minutes.
Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner or just want to make your Tuesday night salad feel a little more special, this tower is your new go-to.
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PrintGreek Feta Salad Tower
Description
A stunning layered salad featuring crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and a zesty lemon-oregano dressing, perfect for a light lunch or impressive appetizer.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 large tomatoes, diced
- 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 200g feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- In a bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper. Toss gently.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Layer the vegetable mixture, feta cheese, and olives in individual serving rings or glasses, pressing lightly between layers.
- Drizzle the dressing over each tower and garnish with fresh mint leaves before serving.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings to taste.
I’m Shaykee—born in Morocco, seasoned across continents. From airplane galleys to home kitchens, I share the flavors and stories that shaped my journey.