Fresh vegetables, olive oil, herbs, and seafood are the cornerstones of Greek food. No wonder it’s considered one of the healthiest Mediterranean diets. The coastal areas of Greece rely heavily on seafood and veggies, creating a beautiful meld of light and natural flavors. Meanwhile, the inland regions favor dishes with meat and cheese. Anywhere you go in Greece, you won’t have trouble finding a good meal. But the best thing is, you can bring the country’s favorite dishes right into your home. Set aside time to make these Greek recipes, and you’ll find out why Greek food is SO good!
1. Skordalia
Hearty, rich, and flavorful, skordalia is a must-try Greek dip! This dish takes its name from one of its main ingredients, skordo, or garlic. The crushed garlic is combined with potatoes, almonds, olive oil, and lemon juice, resulting in utter deliciousness. This garlicky-tangy dip is ideal to serve with crackers, veggies, or pita bread. But really, I won’t blame you if you eat it with a spoon right out of the bowl. It’s that tasteful!
2. Greek Salad
With Greeks’ heavy use of vegetables on their dishes, this roundup wouldn’t be complete without a proper veggie salad. You’ll only need seven ingredients to make this refreshing meal, and all of them are super easy to find at your local grocery store. For a flavorful salad, you’ll need to make sure that the chopped ingredients are similar in size. This way, you’ll get a mix of veggies, cheese, and olives with each bite. Of course, the bright, zesty dressing is a must for a summery salad. Garnish with mint leaves for added freshness.
3. Greek Lemon Potatoes
Roasted thick potato wedges are flavored with a garlic-lemon broth. This is one addictive dish! Besides the delightful taste of Greek lemon potatoes, they have golden crisp edges that make for a crunchy bite. Make a large batch because they’re simply irresistible and a show-stealer. For a delicious variation, you can also cook the potatoes in the juices of roasted lamb or chicken.
4. Chicken Gyro
This Greek pita sandwich is loaded with chicken tenders, veggies, olives, and tzatziki sauce. Using a yogurt marinade for the chicken is the secret to its tantalizing flavor. You can grill the chicken, bake it, or cook it in a skillet or pan. Once it’s done, you’ll be left with the easy-peasy assembling of the sandwich. Serve this chicken gyro with some lemon potatoes for the ultimate Greek feast.
5. Greek Butter Cookies
If you want to infuse Greek flavors into your next holiday meal, these Greek butter cookies are a must-have. These cookies may not be the best-looking, but when you take a bite, you’ll have to go back for seconds! Greek butter cookies are buttery and crumbly, with the perfect salty-sweet flavor combo. As a bonus, making these cookies will flood your kitchen with a gentle fragrance.
6. Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a classic Greek meze (appetizer) that you’ll find in almost any Greek restaurant. This yogurt-cucumber sauce pairs well with gyros, grilled meats, and roasted vegetables. Just slather the sauce on your sandwich, and you’ll be in for a treat! This light yet creamy dip is traditionally made with goat or sheep yogurt, but you can make things easy by using plain Greek yogurt. Of course, don’t forget other Greek staples like olive oil, white vinegar, and warm spices for maximum flavor.
7. Spanokopita
Healthy spinach and creamy feta cheese are all wrapped up in crispy phyllo dough. This is one of those Greek recipes you won’t want to miss! Spanokopita, or spinach-cheese pie, is savory and crunchy. The filling is made even better with the addition of eggs, herbs, and Greek spices. This pie makes a great appetizer or side dish. But with its heavenly taste, I wouldn’t be surprised if you make a meal out of it!
8. Greek Fried Cheese
I thought the perfect appetizer for any meal didn’t exist until this Greek fried cheese (saganaki) came along. Crunchy meets gooey with this cheese, coupled with salty and zesty flavors. Saganaki is a slice of cheese dipped in water and flour, then fried to golden perfection. The lemon squeeze is added right before serving for a citrusy kick. The ideal cheese to use is the one with a high melting point, like kefalotyri. Other cheeses with hard texture (think graviera and kasseri) also work well for this dish.
9. Greek Fries
Dressing up plain fries Greek-style has never been easy with this recipe. All you’ll need is a simple homemade seasoning and a couple of Mediterranean toppings. Want to amp up the flavors? Serve these golden crispy fries with tzatziki sauce! Lemon dill sauce works just as well, making the dish ultra-rich and savory.
10. Greek Honey Cookies
Greek honey cookies are sticky, moist, and crunchy. In short, they’re to die for! If you’re looking for a new cookie recipe for the holidays, this is it. These wonderfully sweet honey cookies are popular in Greek households during Christmas time. There’s so much going on with these pastries in terms of flavor and texture, but the combination is nothing short of perfect. The sticky honey syrup is the cherry on top, but you can upgrade these cookies by drizzling some chocolate syrup, too!
11. Greek Baked Orzo
This one-pot baked dish is full of tomato goodness and flavor-rich vegetables. I’m sure the Greeks won’t argue if I say that this is an ultra-comforting dish for wintry nights. You can make this recipe your own by adding proteins or more veggies, depending on your taste. Top with feta cheese, fresh dill, and lemon juice for flavor explosion and a pop of color!
12. Greek Walnut Cake
This soft and syrupy walnut cake will fill your kitchen with the refreshing aroma of cinnamon and cloves. But that’s not all. This traditional Greek dessert is infused with honey and breadcrumbs, so every bite is deliciously sweet and crunchy. Feeling generous? Make this treat fancier by adding vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup on top!
13. Greek Meatballs
Greek meatballs, or keftedes, are juicy and loaded with herbs and seasonings that’ll make you go back for seconds. These meatballs are traditionally served as an appetizer, but you can wrap them up in a warm pita along with fresh vegetables, and voila! You’ll have a hearty, yummy meal.
14. Stuffed Grape Leaves
Ground beef, herbs, and rice all go into blanched grape leaves, creating healthy rolls cooked in a lemony broth. Also known as dolmades, these stuffed grape leaves pair well with tzatziki sauce or a Greek salad for a light meal. Looking for a delicious vegetarian treat? Simply omit the meat and add more rice to the stuffing mixture. It’s so easy!
15. Moussaka
Moussaka is very much like lasagna, but healthier. With this recipe, you can feast on scrumptious comfort food without any guilt! Instead of pasta sheets, moussaka is layered with eggplant. The rich tomato sauce and béchamel sauce create a delicate layer of flavors. Moussaka is traditionally made with lamb, but using beef would be great too. Not a fan of eggplant? Feel free to use potatoes as a substitute.
16. Greek Pita Bread
Greek pita goes well with almost any Greek dish or meze, so it only makes sense to share a recipe for this versatile bread. This dish takes some time to make, but it’s well worth the effort. The good news is, it only requires a handful of pantry ingredients. Greek pita bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just reheat in the oven when ready to eat.
17. Greek Stuffed Peppers
These stuffed peppers are another nutrient-packed dish from the Greeks. Warm, well-seasoned, and a little cheesy, even the pickiest eaters will love this recipe. The stuffed peppers are filled with classic Greek flavors from oregano, olives, garlic, and olive oil. Ground turkey or beef brings in more flavor. For a fun twist, feel free to mix the two!
18. Greek Bean Soup
Greek bean soup is considered the national dish of Greece. It’s nourishing and a cinch to make. You’ll only need small white beans, a few veggies, and of course, lots of extra virgin olive oil. What was once a poor man’s food is now a staple in Mediterranean cuisine because of the many nutrients it packs. In terms of taste, expect a medley of warm flavors that’ll help you get through the cold nights. Serve with crusty bread to sop everything up!
19. Greek Green Beans
Fasolakia, or braised green beans, are velvety, healthy, and oh-so-yummy! They’re flavored with tomato and olive oil sauce, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Tender potatoes are thrown into the mix for a more satisfying side dish. If you want to serve it as a meal, just add rice and your choice of protein or meat.
20. Greek Feta Dip
Cheese lovers will surely gather around the table once you serve this Greek feta dip. This crowd-pleasing dish is creamy, with briny and citrusy notes. Greek feta dip is already fantastic on its own, but you can up your dip-making game with some garnishes. For a spicy kick, add some red chili flakes. If you’re looking for a nice crunch, mix in some chopped pistachio nuts. The options are endless, so be as creative as you like!
21. Chicken Souvlaki
Chicken souvlaki, or chicken skewers, are perfect when served with fluffy, warm pita bread and creamy tzatziki sauce. For the tastiest souvlaki, you’ll need a good marinade packed with Mediterranean spices. The chicken bites will have to be grilled until crunchy and juicy.
22. Greek Baklava
Baklava is a quintessential Mediterranean dessert with numerous variations. But don’t be fooled. Greek baklava is definitely one of the best! It’s also made using phyllo dough, so you’ll get crusty layers flavored with cinnamon and walnuts. Greek baklava is big on honey, oozing with natural sweetness balanced by a splash of lemon juice.
23. Greek Chickpea Soup
Chickpeas are classified as a superfood, so this Greek dish is naturally healthy. The best part? It’s also comforting and super easy to make. In its basic form, Greek chicken soup only requires onions, lemons, olive oil, water, and of course, chickpeas. You can spice things up by adding your favorite herbs and flavorings.
24. Tiropita
Tiropita is similar to spanokopita, minus the spinach filling. This savory pie has a cheese and egg mixture encased in crusty phyllo dough. The interesting part about this dish is that it doesn’t have an authentic recipe. Everyone makes their tiropita differently. If you’re looking for the best variations, try combining other cheeses with feta or add Béchamel sauce for a buttery, milky taste.
25. Greek Eggplant Dip
Eggplant lovers will take delight in making this simple yet delightful dip. Slather on toasted bread or serve as an appetizer to impress the crowd! For this recipe, the eggplant is roasted until soft, then mashed and flavored with garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Add olives and chopped parsley leaves for a fresh finishing touch.
26. Greek Orange Cake
This aromatic orange cake has a refreshing taste, thanks to its decadent syrup of orange juice with a hint of cinnamon. This dessert also makes use of phyllo dough, but this time, you’ll have to shred it and include it in the cake mixture. Greek orange cake also has a good amount of yogurt and olive oil, so it’s naturally healthier than other desserts.
27. Greek Lentil Soup
Also known as fakes soupa, this Greek lentil soup has the makings of a comforting meal for the winter season. It’s packed with tomatoes, lentils, and a couple of other sauteed veggies. Amplify the flavor by adding vegetable broth, red wine vinegar, and lots of herbs. Make this in your slower cooker for a hands-free, soul-nourishing dish! Click on a star to rate it!
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