Maroulosalata (Greek Feta Salad)

Say hello to the easiest salad you’ll ever make.

Sometimes the simplest dishes made with humble ingredients turn out to be the best recipes. This maroulosalata is one of those: crisp romaine lettuce smothered in a salty, bright homemade feta dressing and topped with crispy breadcrumbs for texture. It’s a gold mine of a salad to keep in your back pocket. Perfect for entertaining or when you’re craving something lighter. This Greek lettuce salad might just be the easiest thing you make all week.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

This salad is E.A.S.Y. It’s made with just a handful of ingredients, yet when combined, it’s one you’ll want to make again and again. It pairs with nearly anything, and if you love feta cheese and bright, lemon-based dressings, this salad is for you. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s simple enough to prep at the beginning of the week and assemble later when you’re short on time.

What makes this maroulosalata recipe stand out from others online is the crispy lemon and herb breadcrumbs sprinkled on top after dressing. They add not only a burst of flavor but also a satisfying crunch — your salad will thank you.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR MAROULOSALATA

• Romaine Lettuce – We aren’t looking for anything fancy here, just good old romaine lettuce. In this rare instance iceberg lettuce can be a substitute.
• Fresh Dill – Fresh only!
• Feta – Grab the block, not the crumbles. If you didn’t already know, pre-shredded and pre-crumbled cheese is coated with an anti-caking agent to prevent it from sticking together in the bag or container. While it’s completely safe to eat, it does affect the texture and slightly dulls the flavor. Opt for the block and crumble it yourself. You’ll get the freshest feta flavor, and it’s more cost-efficient too.
• Scallions / Green Onions
• Lemon – Fresh only! You’ll need 1 ½ large (juicy) lemons, just over ¼ cup of juice + a little extra for the breadcrumbs. Skip the pre-bottled stuff. This salad is all about fresh, bright flavor, and bottled lemon juice tastes flat and overly acidic compared to the real thing.
• Olive Oil – Use a good extra virgin olive oil to maximize flavor.
• Sourdough Bread – This salad comes together in minutes, so take the extra 15 to make homemade sourdough breadcrumbs. You’ll need about ¼ of a boule, which comes out to roughly 2 to 2 ½ cups once cut.
• Italian Seasoning – Don’t have Italian seasoning? No problem! Use dried basil, thyme, oregano, or a mix of all three. My go-to Italian seasoning is Little Italy from The Spice House. It’s evenly balanced and free of extra fillers, just pure, dried herbs.

HOW TO MAKE MAROULOSALATA

Make the Breadcrumbs – Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut the sourdough bread into ¼-inch cubes and place them on a sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, and squeeze the juice of ¼ lemon over top. Toss well to coat evenly, then season with a pinch of salt. Bake for 10–13 minutes, tossing halfway through to ensure even browning. Once golden and crisp, remove from the oven and crush.

Prep the Dressing – To give the dressing a few minutes to sit, prep it first. In a small bowl, add the feta cheese, lemon juice, chopped dill, and olive oil. Mash the feta until it starts to blend into the dressing but still has some texture. Set aside.

Prep the Salad – Clean the lettuce thoroughly, and dry preferably with a salad spinner. Using a sharp knife or a mandoline, slice the romaine hearts into thin ribbons. Add it to a large bowl and pour over the dressing. Toss until evenly coated, then add the breadcrumbs and toss once more. Serve immediately.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH MAROULOSALATA

This Greek salad is meant to be a quick, throw-together side that doesn’t scream “last-minute dish.” I love making it for a lighter lunch, but if you want to round it out a bit more and add some protein, try serving it alongside my Crispy Breaded Chicken Cutlets or my Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs. Want to beef the salad up? Try adding kalamata olives, chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, or tomato. A few other recipes to consider pairing it with include:

Honey Harissa Chicken Thighs
Oven Roasted Chicken Shawarma
Chicken Provencal

STORING/REHEATING

Once dressed, this maroulosalata should be eaten immediately — it cannot be stored in the fridge. The lettuce will wilt and “pickle” from the lemon juice, the breadcrumbs will get soggy, and the salad will lose its crisp, fresh texture. You can, however, prep components ahead of time. Keep the salad and dressing separate and only combine them when ready to serve. The lettuce can be pre-chopped and stored in a zip-top bag with a paper towel to absorb moisture for 2–3 days in the fridge. The dressing can also be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week. Note that the oil may solidify; bring the dressing back to room temperature gradually before using.