Who doesn’t love a fresh and zesty Greek-style salad? Packed with crisp greens, aromatic herbs, and a creamy feta cheese dressing, Maroulosalata, also known as Greek lettuce salad, embodies that perfectly. My Simple Greek Lettuce Salad is a wholesome and easy version of this classic Greek dish, inspired by my favorite salad at the renowned San Francisco eatery, Kokkari. It’s quick to whip up and makes a delightful starter or a satisfying main course!
Whenever my husband and I have a date night in San Francisco, there’s one place we always go: Kokkari. Situated near the Embarcadero, Kokkari is a charming upscale restaurant celebrated for its timeless Greek cuisine. From the comforting Avgolemono (chicken and rice soup) to the zesty chicken with lemon rice, I adore their take on traditional Greek fare. It’s simply unparalleled!
However, my absolute must-order dish at Kokkari is their Maroulosalata, or Greek lettuce salad. This seemingly straightforward salad is anything but ordinary. With crisp lettuce, fragrant herbs, toasted pine nuts, and a creamy feta cheese dressing, it elevates the classic Caesar salad to new heights!
Fortunately, you don’t need to trek to San Francisco to savor this delectable salad. In fact, it’s incredibly simple to recreate at home! I love throwing together this salad on busy days when I crave something hearty and flavorful but don’t have much time to spare. Whether enjoyed as an appetizer or a main dish, it’s a winner every time!
Easy Maroulosalata Salad (Kokkari Copycat)
Ingredients
- 2 heads of Romaine lettuce about 3 cups, chopped
- 1 head of Radicchio about 1.5 cups, chopped
- 1/2 bunch of Dill about 1/4 – 1/3 cup, chopped
- 4 Green Onions sliced
- 1/2 cup of toasted Pine Nuts
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup of Olive Oil
- 7 ounces of Greek Feta Cheese
- 2 cloves of Garlic
- Juice of 1 Lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon of Ground Black Pepper
- 1/4 – 1/3 cup of Water to adjust the dressing consistency
Instructions
- Begin by washing and chopping the Romaine lettuce, Radicchio, dill, and green onions. Place them in a large bowl.
- Now, let’s prepare the dressing. In a blender, combine all dressing ingredients except some feta cheese. Blend until smooth, adjusting the consistency with water as needed.
- Toast the pine nuts in a small pan over medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn them!
- Once toasted, let the pine nuts cool before adding them to the salad bowl.
- Toss the salad with the dressing until well coated.
- Finally, sprinkle the remaining crumbled feta cheese and additional dill on top. Serve and enjoy this delightful Greek-inspired salad! Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to two days in an airtight container.