For the most flavorful Greek salad, your tomatoes should be at room temperature, as cold temperatures can suppress their essential tart and tangy flavors.

It’s best to buy fresh tomatoes and then store and serve them at room temperature. This will provide the classic punchy, bright, and fresh flavor that Greek salads are known for.

Some recipes even call for Greek tomatoes, which are firmer and have fewer seeds. As these are difficult to source, cherry tomatoes (not grape) are the closest substitute.

Besides fresh tomatoes, a true Greek salad includes ingredients like Kalamata olives, quality Greek extra virgin olive oil, and Greek feta.