How Much Feta Should I Use in a Greek Salad?

[GreekGirlCooks]

I’m planning to make an authentic Greek salad (Horiatiki) for a small gathering, and I want to get the balance just right. I know feta is one of the star ingredients, but I’m not sure how much to use. I’ve seen some recipes call for crumbling a lot over the top, while others use large blocks.

What’s the ideal amount for a salad serving 4-6 people? Should it be crumbled or kept in bigger pieces? And are there any tips on getting the flavor just right—like should it be marinated in olive oil or herbs beforehand?

Normally I would eyeball and I tend to like a lot. However, I am in an area where I can't find large quantities of feta and it's kind of expensive. So, how little can I get away with when I am serving this salad to others, not just me?

 

[k_tsoukalas]

Great question! For a Horiatiki salad serving 4-6, about 150-200 grams of feta should be enough to give everyone a taste without overwhelming the other ingredients. Traditional Greek salad often uses a single block of feta placed on top rather than crumbling it, which looks authentic and allows each person to break off just enough cheese.

To enhance the flavor, you could drizzle a bit of olive oil over the feta and sprinkle some oregano before adding it to the salad. This will give it a fragrant, herby kick without needing to marinate the cheese. Also, try to use good-quality olive oil, as it really elevates the dish!

By using a single block and letting guests crumble as they like, you’ll keep the cheese’s impact strong but manageable, even with a smaller amount.