Greek food brings the taste of the Mediterranean to your table. With fresh vegetables, olive oil, herbs, and seafood, these recipes offer a healthy and tasty way to eat.

Greek dishes are known for their bold flavors and simple ingredients.

You can make many classic Greek recipes at home without going to a restaurant. From spanakopita to Greek salad, moussaka to souvlaki, there are lots of options to try.

These 15 Greek recipes will give you a taste of Greece right in your own kitchen. Get ready to enjoy some delicious Mediterranean flavors!

1. Moussaka

Moussaka is a beloved Greek dish that combines layers of eggplant, ground meat, and creamy béchamel sauce.

To make it, start by slicing and salting eggplant, then baking or frying until golden.

Next, prepare a flavorful meat sauce with ground beef or lamb, onions, garlic, and spices like cinnamon and allspice.

Layer the eggplant and meat sauce in a baking dish.

Top it all with a rich béchamel sauce made from butter, flour, and milk. Bake until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it cool slightly before serving for the best texture and flavor.

2. Spanakopita

Spanakopita is a classic Greek spinach pie. You’ll love its flaky phyllo crust and savory filling.

To make spanakopita, sauté spinach with onions and herbs. Mix in crumbled feta cheese and beaten eggs for a creamy texture.

Layer sheets of phyllo dough in a baking pan, brushing each with olive oil. Spread the spinach mixture evenly, then top with more phyllo layers.

Bake the pie until golden brown and crispy. Let it cool slightly before cutting into squares.

Serve spanakopita as an appetizer or light meal. It’s perfect for parties or family dinners.

3. Souvlaki

Souvlaki is a popular Greek dish of grilled meat skewers. You can make it with chicken, pork, or lamb.

To prepare souvlaki, marinate the meat in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

Thread the marinated meat onto skewers and grill for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally. The result is juicy, flavorful meat with a slightly charred exterior.

Serve souvlaki in pita bread with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, and onions. You can also enjoy it on its own with a side of Greek salad.

For best results, use metal skewers or soak wooden ones in water before grilling to prevent burning.

4. Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a creamy Greek dip that’s easy to make at home. You’ll need Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs.

Start by grating cucumber and squeezing out excess water. Mix it with thick Greek yogurt in a bowl. Add minced garlic, a splash of lemon juice, and some olive oil.

Stir in chopped fresh dill or mint for extra flavor. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Let the tzatziki chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

Enjoy your homemade tzatziki with pita bread, fresh veggies, or as a sauce for grilled meats. It’s a versatile and refreshing addition to any Greek meal.

5. Baklava

Baklava is a sweet Greek dessert you’ll love. It’s made with layers of flaky phyllo dough, nuts, and syrup.

To make baklava, start by layering phyllo sheets in a baking pan. Brush each sheet with melted butter.

Mix chopped walnuts or pecans with cinnamon and nutmeg. Spread this mixture over the phyllo layers.

Add more buttered phyllo sheets on top. Cut the baklava into diamond shapes before baking.

Bake until golden brown. Pour cooled syrup over the hot baklava when it comes out of the oven.

Let the baklava sit for a few hours to soak up the syrup. Then enjoy this rich, sweet treat!

6. Dolmades

Dolmades are a classic Greek dish made with grape leaves stuffed with a savory filling. You’ll love these tasty little parcels bursting with flavor.

The filling usually consists of rice, herbs, and sometimes ground meat. Common herbs include dill, mint, and parsley.

To make dolmades, you’ll need to carefully wrap the filling in grape leaves. Then cook them in a pot with lemon juice and broth until tender.

Serve dolmades warm or at room temperature as an appetizer or side dish. They’re perfect for parties or family gatherings. Try them with a dollop of tzatziki sauce for extra zest.

7. Gyro

Gyros are a popular Greek street food you can easily make at home.

Start by mixing ground lamb or beef with onion, garlic, and spices like oregano and cumin. Shape the meat into a loaf and cook it on a grill or in a skillet until fully cooked and charred.

Let the meat rest, then slice it thinly.

Warm up some pita bread and fill it with the meat slices. Add fresh tomatoes, onions, and a dollop of tzatziki sauce.

To make tzatziki, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. This cool, tangy sauce complements the savory meat perfectly.

Serve your homemade gyros immediately for a tasty Greek meal you can enjoy any time.

8. Pastitsio

Pastitsio is a beloved Greek pasta dish often called “Greek lasagna.” You’ll love its layers of flavor and texture.

To make pastitsio, you start with a base of tubular pasta. Next, you add a rich meat sauce seasoned with cinnamon and allspice.

The dish is topped with a creamy béchamel sauce. This gives pastitsio its signature smooth, velvety finish.

Bake the pastitsio in the oven until golden brown on top. The result is a comforting, hearty meal perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

You can serve pastitsio with a simple Greek salad for a complete meal. It’s sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.

9. Kleftiko

Kleftiko is a beloved Greek dish featuring tender lamb and vegetables. You wrap the ingredients in parchment paper before baking, which locks in the flavors.

To make Kleftiko, you’ll need lamb, potatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and feta cheese. Cut the lamb and vegetables into chunks.

Season everything with olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs. Then wrap it tightly in parchment paper.

Bake the Kleftiko for about 2.5 to 3 hours at a low temperature. This slow cooking method results in incredibly juicy meat and flavorful vegetables.

For a final touch, you can unwrap the parcel and broil the dish briefly to add some color to the lamb and veggies.

10. Avgolemono Soup

Avgolemono soup is a Greek classic that combines chicken, rice, and a creamy lemon-egg sauce. You can make it easily in about 30 minutes using rotisserie chicken and ready-made stock.

To prepare, simmer the chicken and rice in broth until tender.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and lemon juice. Slowly add some hot broth to the egg mixture, stirring constantly.

Pour the egg-lemon mixture back into the pot, stirring gently. The soup will thicken slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

This comforting soup is perfect for cold nights. You can also try using orzo pasta instead of rice for a different texture.

11. Horiatiki Salad

Horiatiki salad is a classic Greek dish bursting with fresh flavors. You’ll love this simple yet delicious combination of vegetables and cheese.

To make it, chop ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and red onions. Add sliced bell peppers and kalamata olives for extra taste and texture.

The star of this salad is a generous chunk of feta cheese placed on top. Drizzle everything with olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar.

Sprinkle dried oregano over the salad for an authentic touch. Season with salt to enhance the flavors.

Enjoy this refreshing salad as a light meal or side dish.

12. Galaktoboureko

Galaktoboureko is a sweet Greek dessert that will delight your taste buds. It combines crispy phyllo dough with a creamy custard filling.

To make this treat, you’ll need to prepare a rich custard using milk, sugar, and semolina. Once cooled, you’ll layer it between sheets of buttered phyllo dough.

Bake the Galaktoboureko until golden brown and crispy on top. The final touch is a sweet syrup poured over the hot pastry.

This dessert is best served warm or at room temperature. You’ll love the contrast between the crunchy exterior and the soft, sweet filling.

13. Fasolada

Fasolada is a hearty Greek bean soup perfect for cold days. You’ll need white beans, carrots, celery, onions, and olive oil as key ingredients.

Soak the beans overnight, then simmer them with the veggies in a large pot. Add some garlic and tomato paste for extra flavor.

Season your fasolada with bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Let it cook slowly until the beans are tender and the broth thickens.

Serve this comforting soup hot with a drizzle of olive oil and crusty bread on the side. It’s a filling meal that will warm you up from the inside out.

14. Taramosalata

Taramosalata is a beloved Greek dip made from fish roe. This creamy appetizer is perfect for spreading on pita bread or serving with vegetables.

To make taramosalata, you’ll need fish roe, olive oil, lemon juice, and either bread or potatoes as a base.

The ingredients are blended until smooth, creating a slightly pink, flavorful spread.

Some recipes use soaked bread as the base, while others prefer mashed potatoes. Both versions result in a delicious dip with a unique taste and texture.

Taramosalata is often part of a meze platter, alongside olives and other small dishes. It’s a staple in Greek cuisine and a must-try for anyone exploring Mediterranean flavors.

15. Stifado

Stifado is a flavorful Greek beef stew that will warm you up on chilly days. This dish combines tender chunks of beef with small onions or shallots in a rich, tangy sauce.

To make stifado, you’ll brown the meat and caramelize the onions. Then, you’ll simmer everything in a sauce made with red wine, vinegar, and tomatoes.

Spices like cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves give stifado its distinctive aroma. The slow cooking process ensures the beef becomes incredibly tender.

Serve your stifado with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the delicious sauce. It’s a comforting meal that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Historical Influence on Greek Cuisine

Greek food has deep roots in ancient traditions and Mediterranean customs. The cuisine has evolved over thousands of years, shaped by geography, trade, and cultural exchanges.

Ancient Greek Food Practices

Ancient Greeks ate lots of grains, fruits, and vegetables. Barley bread was a staple, often dipped in wine. Olives and grapes were popular then and remain important today.

Greeks also enjoyed legumes, figs, and nuts.

Meat was less common, mainly eaten during festivals or by the wealthy. Fish and seafood were more widespread, especially in coastal areas.

Ancient Greeks used olive oil for cooking and flavoring. They seasoned food with herbs like oregano, mint, and thyme. Many of these ingredients are still key in modern Greek recipes.

Mediterranean Dietary Traditions

Greek cuisine is part of the larger Mediterranean diet. This way of eating focuses on plant-based foods, healthy fats, and moderate amounts of dairy and meat.

Olive oil is central to Greek cooking. It’s used for frying, dressing salads, and adding flavor to dishes. Fresh vegetables play a big role in meals. Tomatoes, eggplants, and zucchini are common ingredients.

Herbs and spices add depth to Greek food. Garlic, onion, and dill are widely used. Yogurt and feta cheese are popular dairy products. Fish and seafood remain important protein sources in coastal areas.

Key Ingredients in Greek Cooking

Greek cuisine relies on fresh, simple ingredients that bring out bold flavors. The right herbs, spices, and olive oil form the backbone of many classic Greek dishes.

Unique Herbs and Spices

Greek cooking uses a variety of herbs and spices to create its signature tastes. Oregano adds a pungent, earthy flavor to many dishes. You’ll find it in Greek salads, meat dishes, and tomato sauces.

Mint brings a cool, fresh taste to foods like tzatziki and dolmades.

Dill is common in seafood recipes and adds a tangy zip. Cinnamon gives warmth to both sweet and savory foods. Greeks use it in dishes like moussaka and baklava.

Garlic is a must-have, lending its strong flavor to many recipes. Bay leaves are often used to flavor soups and stews.

Olive Oil and Its Uses

Olive oil is central to Greek cooking. It’s used for frying, roasting, and as a key ingredient in dressings and dips.

Greeks often drizzle it over salads or use it to finish cooked dishes.

Extra virgin olive oil is prized for its rich flavor and health benefits. You can use it to make classic dips like skordalia or taramasalata.

It’s also great for marinating meats before grilling. In baking, olive oil sometimes replaces butter in traditional recipes.

Greek cooks often use olive oil to preserve foods. You might find olives, cheese, or sun-dried tomatoes stored in olive oil.

This method adds flavor and helps keep foods fresh longer.