Maroulosalata (Greek Lettuce Salad)
on May 02, 2025
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We all know Greek Salad—an icon of Mediterranean cuisine 🤩. But have you met her effortlessly cool cousin, Maroulosalata (Mah-roo-loh-sah-LAH-tah)? This salad is lesser known (among non-Greeks), but extremely popular and beloved across Greece 🇬🇷. This recipe is similar to our Bulgarian Salad, but with a Mediterranean twist. Like any great Greek dish, this recipe is all about simple, high-quality ingredients, fresh flavors, and lots of excellent olive oil 🥬. If you love a refreshing, crisp, salty, and herby dish, this salad is for you!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Maroulosalata (Greek Lettuce Salad)
In this staple salad of Greek cuisine, finely shredded crisp Romaine lettuce mingle with dill and green onions, crumbled feta, a burst of fresh lemon, and plenty of olive oil 🍋. Simple, yet bursting with flavor: aromatic herbs, salty cheese, crunchy fresh lettuce, and peppery, buttery olive oil. Opa 💃! This salad comes together in minutes and is the perfect side dish for any grilled protein: pork skewers, cevapi, chicken souvlaki, salmon skewers, branzino, and more.
Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce: Shredded romaine hearts give this salad its crunchy texture. Check out my tutorial for How to Shred Lettuce to get your greens perfectly thin. A sharp, high-quality knife goes a long way in perfecting this technique.
- Green onions: Mild and flavorful, green onions give Maroulosalata depth of flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Dill: This herb adds fresh, bright flavor to this simple salad, giving you a little lift in each bite.
- Olive oil: This nectar of the gods gives the dressing its base and coats the ingredients in bold flavor. Choose a good Greek extra virgin olive oil for authentic taste.
- Lemon: Tangy lemon balances the richness of the olive oil, marrying all the flavors and textures together in one cohesive bite. Get every last drop of juice effortlessly with a lemon squeezer.
- Feta: Hand-crumbled feta adds a hint of creaminess and bold flavor to the salad. Be sure to use a block of feta packed in brine for the BEST flavor, as opposed to pre-crumbled cheese.
- Salt: I like to add a pinch of salt to boost the natural flavors of the herbs and veggies. The feta also adds a hint of saltiness, so it’s best to season to taste. My favorite salt will forever be Redmond.
Nonna’s Tip 🥬
Chiffonade your romaine leaves by stacking and rolling them tightly like a cigar. Then, using a sharp knife, slice perpendicular to the roll creating thin ribbons.
Variations and Substitutions for Maroulosalata (Greek Lettuce Salad)
- Green leaf lettuce and little gem lettuce will work in a pinch as a substitution for romaine hearts 🥬. While it is crunchy, I wouldn’t go for iceberg lettuce. It doesn’t compare in terms of flavor and nutritional value.
- In addition to dill, you could add more herbs 🌱 like mint and parsley to this salad for an extra burst of flavor.
- To make vegan Maroulosalata, simply leave out the feta.
- If you don’t have any lemons 🍋 on hand, you could substitute for red wine vinegar.
- I like to use green onions because they’re mild without overpowering the rest of the salad. But in a pinch you could use a small amount of thinly sliced shallots or red onions.
Best Served With
- Top your Maroulosalata with savory Chicken Souvlaki Skewers.
- Serve as a side salad 🥗 with Greek Chicken Gyros. Short on time? Make these Easy Chicken Gyros!
- Create a lovely Greek Lemon Soup and salad combo, complete with a warm, crusty Baguette 🥖.
- Make a hearty and wholesome meal with Spatchcock Greek Lemon Chicken and Greek Lemon Potatoes.
How to Serve Maroulosalata
Sure, this salad should be served barefoot on a sun-drenched Greek island, waves crashing nearby, and a glass of wine in your hand 😜. But if that’s not in the cards this week, here are some practical tips for serving:
- Don’t prep the salad too early—the lettuce wilts fast.
- Toss everything together just before serving to retain crunch and freshness.
- For extra brightness, squeeze the lemon juice over the salad once it’s at the table.
- Have your proteins ready to go, then prepare the salad.
- And don’t forget bread; it’s perfect for mopping up that glorious leftover dressing.
Similar Recipes
Maroulosalata (Greek Lettuce Salad)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Romaine hearts, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, roughly chopped
- ½ bunch dill, roughly chopped (about 1/4 cup chopped)
- 50 grams feta, crumbled (about 3 tablespoons crumbled)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Thinly slice the lettuce and place it in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the green onions, dill, and feta cheese.
- Sprinkle with the salt.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad, toss gently, taste for seasoning, and enjoy!
Notes
- Shredding the lettuce: Stack and roll the romaine leaves tight like a cigar. Then, using a sharp knife, slice perpendicular to the roll, creating thin ribbons. My tutorial is here.
- Lettuce varieties: Green leaf lettuce and little gem lettuce will work in a pinch as a substitution for romaine hearts.
- Herbs: In addition to dill, you could add more herbs like mint and parsley for an extra burst of flavor.
- Vegan cheese: To make vegan Maroulosalata, simply leave out the cheese or use your favorite vegan feta.
- Lemon substitution: Red wine vinegar is commonly substituted for lemons in the dressing.
- Onions: Green onions are best because they’re mild without overpowering the rest of the salad. But in a pinch you could use a small amount of thinly sliced shallots or red onions.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Common Questions
Maroulosalata is a traditional side salad often found on Greek tables. It requires just a few simple ingredients to make. Finely shredded romaine hearts are tossed with feta, fresh dill, green onions, and a refreshing olive oil and lemon dressing.
This easy Greek Lettuce Salad – pronounced mah-roo-loh-sah-LAH-tah – is as fun to say as it is to make!
YES! Aside from being easy to make and delicious to eat, Maroulosalata is packed with nutritious ingredients like fiber rich greens and heart healthy olive oil. It pairs perfectly with your favorite proteins to make a complete, wholesome meal that hits all your macros.
A serving of this easy Greek Lettuce Salad is just 110 calories, making it the ideal side if you’re on a weight loss journey.
Maroulosalata is the house salad of Greece. That’s to say, it goes with EVERYTHING! I like to serve mine with Mediterranean dishes, such as Chicken Gyros, Chicken Souvlaki Skewers, and even Baked Meatballs. However, you can’t go wrong with any grilled protein.
Of course! If you’d like to make this salad vegan, simple leave out the feta.
Romaine hearts are traditionally used in this recipe for their mild flavor and crunchy texture. Little gem lettuce and green leaf lettuce can be used instead. I would steer clear of iceberg lettuce, since it doesn’t compare in terms of flavor and nutritional value.
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So light and refreshing and perfect for summer!
I love a simple green salad…especially in the summer when it’s too hot to eat!🤣 This version is quickly becoming a staple in our home! ❤️
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
So happy to hear, Janet! ❤️
This salad is seriously delicious! It’s so fresh and full of flavor. The herbs, feta, and olive oil come together perfectly…a simple, tasty dish!