Greek food is based on the essentials of a Mediterranean diet. Traditional Greek cuisine uses seasonal and fresh raw ingredients to create a balanced taste in their Greek foods.
Olive oil, fresh herbs, lemon juice, wine, olives, honey, and yogurt are the main ingredient used in many of the best Greek foods.
This means Greek food is packed with delicious flavors that even the most sensitive palate will love.
Pasta is also an essential ingredient in traditional dishes of Greek food – orzo is a popular choice. It’s not a Greek dish without salty feta cheese, either!
Table of Contents
What Are Traditional Greek Foods?
You’ve probably heard of some of the more common, traditional Greek foods from local Greek restaurants.
Moussaka, souvlaki, gyros, baklava, Greek salad, and tzatziki are some of these most popular Greek foods.
The traditional names for delicious Greek foods sometimes have a meaning behind them. For example, the Greek word kleftiko means “hidden meat.”
This is because it was traditionally cooked in a fire pit underground.
What Do You Serve at a Greek Party?
Meze – meaning “small bites” – is widespread in Greek culture as an appetizer. The components of meze are usually quick and easy to prepare.
Olives, feta cheese, hummus dip, and pita bread wedges can be part of this.
A main course can include traditional Greek dishes that are easy to share or prepare individual servings.
Perhaps Greek salads, potato dishes, vegetable bakes, and souvlaki. Lamb is a typical ingredient for meat-bashed dishes.
Many Greek desserts can include using filo pastry to make desserts with a crunchy texture. Ingredients like fruit syrups, honey, nuts, and spices produce authentic Greek flavors.
Easy Greek Food Recipes
All these original recipes and delicious meals are quick and easy to create with fresh ingredients and will wow your taste buds.
1. Greek Green Beans and Potatoes
Source: recipepocket.com
Fasolakia is the official name for this Greek dish. One of the best things is it can be eaten hot or cold, so it’s suitable for any time of the year.
This makes it an ideal popular dish for picnics or barbecues in the summer.
Green beans and potatoes are cooked in a sauce made from tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil.
Your sauce is super flavorful from garlic, onion, cumin powder, dried oregano, bay leaf, fresh parsley, and sugar!
2. Yellow Mediterranean Rice
Source: blessthismeal.com
This Greek rice dish is fresh and flavorful. It works as a side dish for dinner or on its own for tasty lunch.
You’ll cook long-grain rice in a chicken broth with garlic, oregano, and turmeric. The turmeric is what provides its vibrant yellow color!
Top your rice with a fresh Mediterranean salad made with tomatoes, onion, cucumber, and feta. This is seasoned with salt, pepper, red wine vinegar, and olive oil.
3. Orzo Pasta Salad
Source: strengthandsunshine.com
Orzo is one of the most famous greek foods; it is ideal for cold salads because of its short, slender shape. It looks like rice, so it’s easy to confuse it.
It works well in Greek pasta salads with fresh veggies like tomatoes, onions, and cucumber and also paired with different types of meats.
You’ll use flavors of Greece in your pasta salad. Think salty kalamata olives, protein-rich chickpeas, and artichokes.
Everything is tossed with a fresh lemon vinaigrette flavored with garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Greek Lemon Potatoes
Source: herbsandflour.com
Lemon potatoes (patates lemonates) are the perfect side dish for any Greek meal. They’re easy to make and have a zesty lemon taste that brings your potatoes to life.
Along with lemon, you’ll use garlic, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper to produce a delicious flavor. Everyone will want to go back for more!
5. Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
Source: budgetdelicious.com
A bowl of Greek chicken is like a trip to the Mediterranean. These meat dishes shine with olive oil, garlic, oregano, and lemon.
Olives are an essential part of every Greek meal. Fresh, juicy tomatoes add to the rainbow of color. Bell peppers and cucumbers make the dish more crunchy.
Add tzatziki just before serving. This would also be delicious in pita bread!
6. Greek-Style Vegan Feta
Source: rainbowplantlife.com
Vegan feta is easy to make with a block of firm tofu and pantry staples. It has the savory, salty, tangy flavor of classic feta, but it’s completely dairy-free.
Your marinade includes miso paste, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and spices.
This is delicious, crumbled into salads and wraps. You could also try it served on top of crostini or tossed into pasta.
7. Briam
Source: littlesunnykitchen.com
Briam is a traditional Greek dish of sliced roasted vegetables baked with tomatoes and spices. It’s like a ratatouille but with the flavors of Greece.
Ideal veggies to use are zucchini, eggplant, potato, tomato, and red or yellow onion. You can take time to lay your veggies out like a rainbow, or you can throw them in randomly.
Either way, it tastes the same when cooked!
8. Greek Fries with Feta
Source: littleferrarokitchen.com
These baked fries – or potato wedges – are seasoned with flavorsome spices and roasted until golden brown. They make an ideal side dish, or you could eat a bowl with a tzatziki dip!
You’ll use dried oregano and paprika as a seasoning. The paprika also lends a deep golden color to your cooked fries.
Top your golden-baked fries with tangy crumbled feta cheese and drizzle with a fresh lemon vinaigrette.
Healthy Greek Food Recipes
These recipes are perfect if you’re trying to eat more healthily but still want Greek food.
9. Mediterranean Chicken Farro Bowl
Source: laurafuentes.com
Farro is a whole grain that has a nutty taste and chewy texture. So, it’s perfect for pairing with chicken and fresh veggies in this Mediterranean salad bowl.
Tender chicken is marinated in delicious lemon oregano flavors and pan-seared to perfection. Juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, kalamata olives, and sharp red onion create your fresh salad.
Finish your chicken farro bowl with tangy feta cheese, zesty lemon, and refreshing tzatziki sauce.
10. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Source: bestservedvegan.com
Chickpeas are high in protein, so they’re filling food. They are bland independently; however, you can experiment with flavors like this salad.
You’ll use English cucumber, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and Kalamata olives for your salad.
Complete it with a simple dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, lemon, and garlic.
11. Lettuce Greek Salad
Source: biteontheside.com
This Greek lettuce salad is simple and quick to make. It’s fresh and light, making an excellent summer side dish.
Make your salad with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, Kalamata olives, and salty feta cheese.
Create a flavorful dressing using olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and oregano.
12. Greek Cucumber Salad
Source: sinfulkitchen.com
This Greek cucumber salad is packed with fresh Mediterranean flavors. It’s zesty, flavorful, and perfect for a summer side dish or a light lunch.
Use English cucumber, grape or cherry tomatoes, and red onion for your salad. Sliced olives and sharp, salty feta add to the Greek flavor.
13. Tabouli Salad
Source: theperfecttide.com
Tabouli salad (Tabbouleh) incorporates popular Greek flavors to provide a delicious, fresh salad. You’ll also use Bulgur to give a different texture.
It’s easy to make by mixing your salad ingredients and then add your dressing. You’ll use flat parsley, juicy tomatoes, and green onion.
Combine olive oil, lemon juice, and chopped mint leaves for your dressing.
Greek Dinner Recipes
All these recipes are ideal for dinner with family or friends.
14. Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner
Source: allnutritious.com
This one-pan recipe is not only full of nutritious vegetables and Greek flavors. It means minimal washing up too!
Your roasted veggies are caramelized and sticky from olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. Tender chicken breast chunks take on this flavor too.
Red, yellow, and green bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion are ideal for this dish. Crumble with soft feta cheese before serving.
15. Keto Greek Chicken Bowls
Source: jenniferbanz.com
These healthy Greek chicken bowls are easy to prepare and delicious to eat. They are ideal for meal prep too!
There are many ingredients you need to use. However, these are essential for the best flavor for your chicken and tzatziki.
Serve your chicken on top of romaine lettuce and crunchy cucumber. Artichoke hearts and kalamata olives add Greek flavors.
16. Greek Meatballs
Source: joyfoodsunshine.com
Greek meatballs are ideal for a flavorful main dish or an appetizer. They’re quick and easy, ready in only 20 minutes!
You’ll make your meatballs with ground beef. To flavor them, use oregano, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper, garlic, and onion.
Serve your meatballs with tzatziki or over a Greek salad. You could also try them in a pita.
17. Greek Stuffed Peppers and Tomatoes
Source: herbsandflour.com
Gemista is the traditional name for this dish. This recipe is a Greek version of classic stuffed peppers. Bell peppers and tomatoes are the most popular for stuffing.
However, you can also use zucchini and eggplant.
You’ll stuff your peppers with a rice filling. This is flavored with onions, garlic, parsley, basil, and mint. You can also add ground beef.
Tender potatoes are cooked alongside your stuffed peppers and tomatoes. This creates a complete meal in one pan.
18. Greek Salad
Source: joyfoodsunshine.com
Horiatki is the traditional name for a Greek salad. This version has a beautiful mix of textures and flavors to satisfy every palate. It makes a delicious, fresh, light lunch or side dish for dinner.
Fresh salad leaves, juicy baby tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and sharp red onion are the base of your salad. Kalamata olives and crumbly feta cheese add a taste of Greece.
Add a unique twist to your salad with crispy pita croutons!
19. Greek Lamb Stew with Orzo
Source: slowthecookdown.com
This traditional, authentic dish (traditionally known as giouvetsi) is made with few ingredients. You’ll simmer it to achieve a rich flavor for the perfect comfort dish.
You can use tender veal, lamb, or beef for your stew. It’s personal preference or whatever you can get hold of. This is cooked in a rich tomato broth with orzo pasta.
Your pasta soaks up all the fantastic flavors of tomato, white vinegar, onion, salt, and pepper. Top your stew with grated Romano cheese.
This is one of the best foods for special occasions if you are wanting a traditional Greek recipe!
This mouthwatering meal is one of the best Sunday dinner ideas for families!
20. Vegan Pastitsio
Source: rainbownourishments.com
This vegan pastitsio is like lasagna but made with Greek flavors! It takes time to prepare and bake, so it’s more suited to a lazy weekend comfort food.
The bottom layer of your pastitsio is made from pasta – in this case, macaroni – and a little vegan bechamel sauce.
The middle layer is your “meat” layer. This is created from brown lentils, mushrooms, and walnuts or pecans. These give a variety of textures to your dish.
You will add vegan bechamel sauce as your top layer. This includes blended butter beans for a thick and creamy texture!
21. Lamb Souvlaki with Sumac Tzatziki
Source: eatloveeats.com
These lamb souvlaki skewers are juicy, flavorful, and quick to prepare and cook.
Oregano is an essential flavoring for your tender lamb. (It would be best if you could find Greek oregano!) This goes with cumin, paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Serve your souvlaki with pita and sharp sumac tzatziki.
22. Saucy Shrimp with Feta and Olives
Source: sweetsimplemasala.com
Feta cheese and Kalamata olives bring out the Greek flavors in this saucy shrimp dish.
The key to the best flavor for your sauce is to develop the flavors of cherry tomatoes and garlic. You can then cook the shrimp to get color on both sides.
Once you’ve done this, you can add the other ingredients. These include heavy cream and butter to create a glossy texture for your sauce.
23. Kofta Kebab Recipe with Green Goddess Sauce
Source: ohsodelicioso.com
Kofta kebabs are essentially meatballs formed into a longer, more oval shape. They are then placed on skewers and grilled to perfection.
Your lamb kebabs are flavored with garlic, chili powder, cumin, black pepper, and onion salt. Bread crumbs and an egg help them keep their shape.
Your Green Goddess sauce is easy to make too. You need to blend all your ingredients until smooth. This includes Greek yogurt, lemon, Kalamata olives, fresh chives, cilantro, and dill.
24. Prawn Saganaki
Source: somebodyfeedseb.com
Prawn saganaki is a delicious seafood dish, perfect for an appetizer or a light lunch.
You’ll cook a slightly sweet, tangy tomato sauce for 20 minutes. Dry white wine adds a unique flavor to this. You can then add your prawns to cook through.
Finish your saganaki with crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley. Serve it with tender rice or crusty bread.
25. Lamb Gyro with Hummus Sauce
Source: ohsodelicioso.com
A gyro is a Greek dish traditionally made with delicious marinated, rotisserie-cooked lamb. Slices of lamb are stuffed into a pita with a salad.
You’ll serve your gyros with a lemon hummus sauce and any of these best sides for lamb. You can use store-bought hummus or make your own. Stir in oil, salt, pepper, and lemon for flavor.
Greek Lunch Recipes
These recipes are ideal for a light lunch.
26. Greek Salad
Source: cookwithkushi.com
This Greek salad takes minimal prep time. It’s made with fresh, simple ingredients common in Greek cuisine.
You’ll use cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, feta, and cilantro for the base of your salad. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for your zesty Greek dressing.
27. Greek Yogurt Chicken
Source: biteswithbri.com
This Greek yogurt chicken requires marinating for a few hours, but it’s worth the wait! It’s flavorful, tender, and has a beautiful orange color from the spices.
Oregano, cumin, lemon, shallot, garlic, and dill weed are ingredients in your marinade. Smoked paprika, turmeric, and cayenne pepper provide a great color!
Mixing your spices with Greek yogurt leaves your chicken moist and imparts maximum flavor.
28. Greek Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta
Source: thisfarmgirlcooks.com
Orzo is a popular ingredient in Greek pasta salads. This orzo pasta salad is elevated with an easy lemon vinaigrette. It brings all the flavors together for a delicious meal.
Use crunchy cucumber, grape tomatoes, and sharp red onion for your salad. Feta cheese is a salty contrast to briny Kalamata olives.
Create your flavorful dressing using lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, and garlic.
29. Feta Pasta Salad
Source: whereismyspoon.co
This pasta salad doesn’t only taste delicious. It looks pretty, too, as you’ll use a different pasta for this one: the bow tie variety.
Using green bell pepper is essential when it comes to a Greek salad. No other color will do! Ripe tomatoes, red onion, and crunchy cucumber go into your salad.
Black olives and creamy feta add authentic Greek flavors. Your sharp dressing combines red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and olive oil.
30. Vegan Spanakopita
Source: theveganlarder.com
This spanakopita (Greek spinach pie) is a vegan twist on a classic Greek dish. It’s ideal for using up nutritious green leafy veggies.
Use spinach or chard for your green mix. This is mixed with onion, crushed garlic, fresh dill, and olive oil. You can also add chili for a spicy kick.
You’ll make vegan “ricotta” to use in your spanakopita. Use firm tofu, cashew nuts, nutritional yeast, green olives, and lemon.
Once these are made, your pie is easy to assemble with crispy filo pastry.
31. Greek Chicken, Rice, and Vegetable Soup
Source: tiffinandteaofficial.com
There are many ingredients and steps to this Greek soup. However, having a satisfied family with a delicious meal is worth the effort!
Onion, carrots, and celery are nutritious veggies you will add to your soup. Using whole-grain rice makes it healthier too. Or, you could use orzo instead.
A unique element of this soup is the addition of eggs and lemon. They take ordinary soup to another level!
32. Greek Chicken Gyros
Source: jamjarkitchen.com
Greek chicken gyros are a tasty alternative to the traditional lamb version. Chicken thighs are recommended for this recipe.
They have a higher fat content than chicken breast, so they remain juicy and deliver more flavor.
You’ll marinate your chicken with Greek yogurt, Greek seasoning, red wine vinegar, and lemon. This is best left for at least two hours, preferably overnight, to provide maximum taste.
Serve your gyros with pita, tzatziki, and crumbled feta cheese.
33. Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
Source: theartoffoodandwine.com
This Greek lemon chicken soup has a bright lemon flavor and a vibrant yellow color. It’s easy to make in an Instant Pot or on the hob.
Using giant pearl couscous adds a different texture to your soup. If you prefer, you can use orzo instead.
Garnish your soup with crumbled feta and chopped chives. These provide a salty and fresh contrast of flavor.
Greek Breakfast Recipes
These breakfast recipes are a Greek way to start your day.
34. Greek Scrambled Eggs
Source: theunlikelybaker.com
These easy Greek scrambled eggs (strapatsada) are ideal for your day. You’ll use tomatoes, sweet onion, and salty feta cheese to complement your eggs.
This is delicious when served with warm, crusty bread.
35. Greek Tomato Fritters
Source: littleferrarokitchen.com
For these Greek tomato fritters (domotokeftedes), you’ll use a quantity of fresh, sweet tomatoes to create savory pancakes.
Red onion, mint, dill, oregano, and parsley add light, fresh flavors to your fritters. Crumbly feta cheese adds a salty hit.
Make a tasty dip by combining Greek yogurt with fresh dill and lemon juice.
Greek Snacks
36. Layered Hummus Dip
Source: thisfarmgirlcooks.com
This layered dip makes traditional hummus more exciting—layer hummus with homemade tzatziki, fresh veggies, Kalamata olives, and salty crumbled feta.
Your dip is beautiful to see and delicious to eat! Serve it with pita chips and crunchy veggie batons.
This tasty dip is a must have potluck idea to feed a crowd!
37. Greek Almond Cookies
Source: flavorthemoments.com
Greek almond cookies (amygdalota) are a delicious, sweet treat when you need a pick-me-up. They have a crunchy outside and chewy middle. They’re easy to make with minimal ingredients too.
Combine almond flour, sugar, salt, orange zest, and egg whites to create your cookie dough. Sliced almonds add even more flavor and make your cookies look rustic.
38. 5-Layer Greek Dip
Source: iheartnaptime.net
This tasty Greek dip makes an excellent appetizer for family and friends gatherings. It’s easy to make as there is no cooking required. Just assemble your ingredients.
You will need hummus dip, red bell peppers, cucumber, kalamata olives, salty feta cheese, and fresh parsley. Finish with a herby olive oil drizzle and serve with pita chips for scooping!
39. Lemon Dill Hummus
Source: balancewithjess.com
This recipe is another flavor variation on a classic hummus dip. Fresh lemon juice and zest give your hummus a fresh, bright flavor.
Tahini, garlic, cumin, and dill add balanced flavors that make your dip stand out.
40. Greek Pita Bread
Source: nutmegandvinegar.com
Homemade Greek pita bread tastes better than store-bought any day of the week. You can use this soft and fluffy bread to dip in your hummus. Or even use it for souvlaki.
You need bread flour, salt, olive oil, yeast, and sugar. Salt gives your pita a better flavor, and olive oil gives your bread a moist texture.
This yummy pita is one of the great things to bake when bored on a rainy day.
41. Tomtato and Feta Dip
Source: heydonna.com
This tomato and feta dip is flavorful, quick, and easy to make. It comes together in a few minutes with minimal ingredients.
Combine fresh tomatoes, green onions, crumbled feta cheese, olive oil, and Greek seasoning.
Mix oregano, thyme, basil, marjoram, dried minced onion, and dried minced garlic if you can’t find Greek seasoning.
Make this dip ahead of time to let your flavors meld together and make it even more delicious!
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