A terrific Greek Salad Dressing recipe inspired by the dressing served at Christo’s Restaurant in Brockton, Massachusetts
The Best Greek Salad Dressing
The best Greek Salad we’ve ever had was served at Christo’s Restaurant in Brockton, Massachusetts. For more than forty years, this landmark Greek restaurant was known for serving the best Greek food in the area south of Boston.
Christo’s was most famous for their Greek Salad – so much so that former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis named Christo’s owner, Chris Tsanganis, the “Greek Salad King” – and that name was proudly used until his death in 2013. Sadly, Christo’s Restaurant closed later that same year.
This Greek Salad Dressing is my husband Jack’s attempt to recreate the famous, secret recipe that was served on every Greek salad at Christo’s.
Our Greek Salad Dressing is delicious and quite bold in flavor – so when making it for the first time, you might want to start with half the amount of oregano and black pepper that is called for in the recipe – then add more to taste if you like.
We like to serve this dressing with our Greek Salad with Meat recipe found here.
For our Local Massachusetts Readers
Why You'll Love This Greek Salad Dressing
- It has bold, authentic Greek flavors that are fantastic on any Greek salad.
- It’s easy to make – just put the initial ingredients in a blender and mix on low while you drizzle in the olive oil.
- This versatile recipe can also be used as a marinade.
Reader Review
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Garlic – Always use fresh garlic, not jarred for the best flavor.
- Basil – Fresh or dried can be used.
- Kosher Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Onion Powder
- Dried Mediterranean or Greek Oregano Leaves
- Granulated Sugar
- Mint – Fresh or dried can be used.
- Lemon Juice – Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice, not the bottled juice.
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Water
- Dijon Mustard
- Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Italian olive can be used if that’s all you have, but definitely seek out a Greek olive oil for the most authentic flavor.
Special Tools You'll Need
- Blender
- Various Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Lemon Juicer
How Do I Make Greek Salad Dressing?
- Place all of the ingredients except the oil into a blender.
- Turn the blender on to a low speed and slowly drizzle in the olive oil until completely mixed.
- Serve with your favorite Greek Salad. (You’ll love our Greek Salad with Meat!)
Tips & Tricks
When you mix this Greek dressing in a blender, the high blender speed will emulsify the oils and other ingredients, yielding a thick and creamy dressing that won’t separate as it sits.
You can, however, vigorously whisk the ingredients together by hand. The dressing will likely need to be shaken or stirred to remix before you add to your salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Yasou brand of Greek dressing from Christo’s Restaurant? The current label calls it “The Original Greek dressing” and in year’s past, it did reference Christo’s as well. In our humble opinion, it never quite tasted the same as the dressing served at the restaurant.
- Can I make this Greek Salad Dressing ahead of time? Yes – it stores well in the refrigerator for up to a month. (Keep it in a bottle or covered container.) You’ll want to bring it back to room temperature for serving.
This Greek Salad Dressing recipe originally appeared on A Family Feast in June 2013. We’ve updated the post and photos, but the delicious recipe remains the same.
You might like these other Salad Dressing Recipes
Click here for more delicious Salad Recipes!
Greek Salad Dressing
This Greek Salad Dressing is our attempt to recreate the famous dressing served at Christo’s Restaurant in Brockton, Massachusetts.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 1/4 cups 1x
- Category: salad dressing
- Method: blend or whisk
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Ingredients
1 tablespoon fresh garlic minced fine (1–2 cloves)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil, or half that of dried
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried Mediterranean or Greek oregano leaves
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint or half that of dried
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about half a lemon)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 cup good quality Greek extra virgin olive oil (use Italian olive oil if you can’t find Greek)
Instructions
- In blender, add all of the dressing ingredients in except oil.
- Turn the blender on low speed, and very slowly add the olive oil in a drizzle until the entire cup of oil has been added.
- Serve with our Greek Salad with Meat.
Excellent flavour
Thanks Kelly!
I did not mince the garlic nor put in oil gradually, just loaded it all into my immersion blender jar. The only difference that might occur would be that adding oil gradually would make it thicker? Anyhow, love this dressing.
Yes – that’s exactly right – adding the oil more slowly via the cap of the blender will help emulsify the dressing and make it thicker, but immersion blenders also do a good job mixing the dressing at such high speeds.
Grew up near Christo’s…loved it. This dressing brings me home!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe Char!
This dressing is as a hit in my family. Nice blend of herbs, full of flavour. Really, really good. I modified it a bit and my folks liked it even more. I added a bit more mint and a little bit less oregano. Just lovely!
Thanks Sonya!
This dressingis out of this world delicious! I make this all the time. I can’t get enough. I marinate chicken breasts in it and serve over the Greek salad. Healthier than the cold cuts, but those are great on it too. Thanks for sharing your recipe!!
You’re very welcome Katrina – glad you are enjoying the dressing!
How can this be Christo’s dressing? Christo’s salad dressing is white, not brown.
Hi Ellie – You might be thinking of a creamy supermarket brand sold under a similar name. As mentioned in the post, this is a copycat recipe of the dressing sold at the restaurant in Brockton, Massachusetts.
This is the best Greek salad dressing I have ever had. It is easy to make especially with my herb garden just outside the kitchen. My husband loved the salad and dressing too. I plan to make this for guests when we can entertain again.
Thanks so much Helen! (Fresh herbs are the best!)
Amazing Greek Dressing!!
Thanks Marge!
I grew up on Christo’s greek salad, pizza and chicken. I no longer live in Mass, but out west. My 78 year old parents, who lived in Mass their whole lives moved out west 2 years ago. I wanted to re-create, as best I could, a Christo’s meal. This salad dressing was so great. Everyone loved it, and it reminded us all of days gone by where we all were raise Thank you for sharing!
You’re very welcome Babs! So glad the recipe brought back great memories!
Was so excited to find this, How I miss the restaurant! Thank you for postung!!!
We miss it too Mia! I’ve heard there is a Christo’s To-Go takeout restaurant open now, but we haven’t tried it yet. Hope you enjoy the recipe!