Wash all vegetables thoroughly under cold water. Slice the tomatoes into wedges, cut the cucumber into thick slices, and thinly slice the onion and bell pepper.
Try to keep the vegetable pieces fairly large. Traditional Greek salads have a rustic appearance with chunky vegetables rather than finely chopped pieces.
Place the sliced red onion in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes. This helps reduce its sharpness while keeping its crunch.
Drain well before adding it to the salad. The flavor becomes milder and more balanced.
Add the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and Kalamata olives to a large mixing bowl. Toss gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
The colorful combination creates a beautiful Mediterranean presentation that looks as good as it tastes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and black pepper until combined.
Use a quality extra-virgin olive oil since its flavor is very noticeable in this simple salad.
Pour the dressing over the vegetables and gently toss. Make sure every ingredient gets lightly coated without bruising the tomatoes.
Avoid overmixing, which can make the vegetables release too much liquid.
Place the feta cubes or block on top of the dressed salad. Sprinkle a little extra oregano over the cheese if desired.
Keeping the feta in larger pieces helps maintain its creamy texture and traditional appearance.
Allow the salad to rest for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This gives the vegetables time to absorb the dressing.
The brief resting period helps all the Mediterranean flavors come together beautifully.
Transfer the salad to a serving platter or serve directly from the bowl. Garnish with additional oregano and a drizzle of olive oil.