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Greece Cuisine

Europe · Southern Europe

81 recipes

Signature Greece Dishes

🥗 Ingredient:

Moussaka

Greece's beloved layered casserole featuring tender slices of eggplant, a rich, spiced lamb and tomato filling, and a creamy, decadent béchamel sauce, baked until golden brown and bubbling.

Greece·Easy·4 hours 30 minutes

Arnaki Kleftiko

A traditional Greek dish where lamb shoulder is slow-cooked with potatoes, garlic, and lemon, sealed in parchment paper to trap moisture and flavor. The result is incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone lamb.

Greece·Medium·2 hours 45 minutes

Arnaki me Bamies

A classic Greek summer dish featuring tender, slow-cooked lamb and okra simmered in a rich tomato sauce. The vinegar soak for the okra is key to preventing sliminess.

Greece·Medium·8-10 hours (including marinating)

Authentic Greek Gyros

Experience the king of Greek street food with these authentic gyros. Tender, marinated pork shoulder is slow-cooked on a vertical rotisserie (or baked in a loaf pan for a home version) until golden and crispy, then thinly shaved and served in warm pita bread with fresh toppings and creamy tzatziki sauce.

Greece·Medium·55 minutes

Avgolemono Soup

A classic Greek comfort food, Avgolemono is a silky, bright, and deeply satisfying chicken soup thickened with a delicate mixture of eggs and lemon. It's sunshine in a bowl.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 15 minutes - 1 hour 20 minutes

Bamies Latheres

A classic Greek summer dish where tender okra pods are gently braised in a rich, flavorful sauce of olive oil, tomatoes, and aromatics. This preparation method minimizes the okra's natural sliminess, resulting in a delicious and healthy vegetable side dish.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 5 minutes - 1 hour 10 minutes

Bougatsa

A beloved Northern Greek breakfast pastry from Thessaloniki, featuring layers of crisp phyllo dough encasing a rich, creamy semolina custard. Best enjoyed warm and dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 45 minutes

Briam

Briam is a rustic and flavorful Greek dish of mixed summer vegetables baked in olive oil and tomato. It's a staple of Greek home cooking, celebrated for its simplicity and delicious, tender results.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 15 minutes

Diples

Diples are traditional Greek honey scrolls made from thinly rolled fried dough, drenched in a sweet honey syrup, and often topped with crushed walnuts and cinnamon. They are a popular treat during holidays like Christmas and are also served at weddings.

Greece·Medium·2 hours 15 minutes

Dolmades

Tender grape leaves delicately wrapped around a flavorful mixture of herbed rice, toasted pine nuts, and sweet currants, all gently simmered and served with a bright lemon finish. A classic Mediterranean appetizer.

Greece·Easy·1 hour - 1 hour 5 minutes

Fakes Soupa

A comforting and hearty Greek lentil soup, traditionally flavored with bay leaf and finished with a bright splash of red wine vinegar. This is an everyday staple, perfect for a simple yet satisfying meal.

Greece·Easy·10 hours 5 minutes (including soaking)

Fasolada

Fasolada is considered the national dish of Greece, a hearty and comforting white bean soup simmered with aromatic vegetables, tomatoes, and fragrant herbs. It's a simple yet deeply flavorful dish, perfect for a chilly day.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 10 minutes - 1 hour 20 minutes

Fasolakia Lathera

Fasolakia Lathera is a classic Greek dish featuring tender green beans slowly braised in a rich, flavorful sauce of olive oil, tomatoes, and aromatics. The name 'lathera' translates to 'oily,' highlighting the generous use of olive oil which is essential for the dish's signature taste and texture. This dish is often served as a main course or a substantial side, perfect with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Greece·Medium·2 hours 30 minutes (including cooling and syrup absorption)

Galaktoboureko

A classic Greek dessert featuring a rich, creamy semolina custard baked between layers of crisp, golden phyllo dough, all generously drenched in a fragrant citrus-infused syrup.

Greece·Easy·35 minutes

Galaktos Keftedes

Galaktos Keftedes are a delightful and lesser-known Greek sweet treat, essentially sweet milk fritters that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, often dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon. They are a comforting dessert, particularly popular in certain regions of Greece.

Greece·Easy·45 minutes

Garides Saganaki

A classic Greek dish featuring succulent shrimp baked in a rich tomato sauce, infused with the distinct anise flavor of ouzo, and topped with salty feta cheese that melts into a bubbling, irresistible topping. Perfect as a starter or a light main course.

Greece·Easy·2 hours

Gemista

Gemista are vibrant, sun-kissed vegetables, typically tomatoes and bell peppers, generously stuffed with a fragrant mixture of rice, fresh herbs, and olive oil. Baked until tender and bursting with flavor, they are a quintessential summer dish in Greece, often accompanied by roasted potatoes that soak up the delicious juices.

Greece·Medium·2 hours

Gemista me Kima

A hearty and flavorful Greek classic, Gemista me Kima features ripe tomatoes and bell peppers generously filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, fresh herbs, and aromatics, then baked until tender. This version includes potatoes, which absorb the delicious juices during baking.

Greece·Easy·13 hours 30 minutes (including soaking and resting)

Gigantes Plaki

Gigantes Plaki are large, tender butter beans baked in a rich, aromatic tomato and herb sauce. This classic Greek taverna dish is hearty, comforting, and surprisingly simple to make, with the beans becoming incredibly creamy and flavorful as they bake.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 15 minutes

Giouvarlakia

Giouvarlakia are tender, rice-filled meatballs simmered in a rich, lemony egg-and-rice broth (avgolemono). This is a classic Greek comfort food, perfect for a chilly day.

Greece·Easy·3 hours

Giouvetsi

A comforting and flavorful Greek classic, Giouvetsi features tender lamb shoulder slow-cooked with tomatoes and aromatic spices, then baked with orzo pasta until perfectly al dente. Traditionally prepared in a clay pot, this dish is ideal for Sunday dinners and special occasions.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 15 minutes

Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes

A classic one-pan Greek dish featuring tender, juicy chicken thighs and roasted potatoes infused with lemon, garlic, and oregano. This recipe is simple to prepare and perfect for a weeknight meal.

Greece·Easy·40 minutes

Greek Shrimp and Orzo with Feta

A vibrant and flavorful one-pan dish featuring orzo pasta cooked in a savory broth with cherry tomatoes, olives, and herbs, topped with succulent shrimp and creamy feta cheese. This quick meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 40 minutes

Hilopites me Kota

A comforting and homestyle Greek dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic spices, served over square egg noodles (hilopites). Perfect for a Sunday family meal.

Greece·Easy·20 minutes

Horiatiki Salata

An authentic Greek village salad, featuring ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sharp red onion, briny Kalamata olives, and a generous slab of feta cheese, all dressed with extra virgin olive oil and fragrant oregano. This salad is traditionally made without lettuce, focusing on the fresh, vibrant flavors of its core ingredients.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 20 minutes

Hortopita me Myzithra

A savory pie filled with a variety of wild greens (horta) and creamy myzithra cheese, encased in a flaky phyllo dough. This regional specialty highlights the abundance of edible greens in Greece.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes

Htapodi Krasato

A classic Greek taverna dish where octopus is slowly braised in red wine and aromatics until it's incredibly tender and flavorful. The resulting sauce is rich and perfect for soaking up with crusty bread.

Greece·Medium·2 hours 30 minutes

Imam Baildi

A classic Greek dish of tender eggplants stuffed with a rich mixture of onions, tomatoes, and garlic, then slow-braised in olive oil. The name translates to 'the imam fainted,' supposedly due to its exquisite richness.

Greece·Easy·30-32 minutes

Kalamarakia Tiganita

Authentic Greek fried squid rings, known as Kalamarakia Tiganita, are a quintessential taverna dish. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and best enjoyed with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon. A taste of the Greek seaside.

Greece·Hard·3 hours 30 minutes

Katsiki Stifado me Kokkina Frouta

A unique twist on the classic Greek stifado, this recipe features tender goat meat slow-cooked with a rich, spiced tomato sauce and the unexpected sweetness of red fruits like cranberries or cherries.

Greece·Easy·40-45 minutes (plus optional resting time)

Keftedes

Authentic Greek keftedes are flavorful, herb-flecked meatballs, traditionally pan-fried to a golden crisp. This taverna classic is perfect as an appetizer or a light meal, best served with a cooling tzatziki sauce.

Greece·Easy·4 hours - 4 hours 30 minutes

Kleftiko (Greek Slow-Roasted Lamb

Kleftiko, meaning 'stolen', is a traditional Greek dish where lamb shoulder is slow-cooked in parchment paper, traditionally in a pit oven by bandits. This method ensures the lamb becomes incredibly tender and infused with flavor, falling off the bone. The dramatic unsealing at the table is part of the experience.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 55 minutes

Kokoras Krasatos

A rich and hearty traditional Greek dish of rooster (or chicken) braised in red wine with onions, garlic, and spices. It's a flavorful and comforting meal often served with pasta or potatoes.

Greece·Hard·4 hours 30 minutes

Kokoretsi

A quintessential Greek Easter delicacy, Kokoretsi features lamb offal (heart, liver, kidneys, sweetbreads) meticulously wrapped in lamb intestines and slow-spit roasted over charcoal until golden and crispy. This dish is a cherished tradition, often prepared for Easter Sunday feasts.

Greece·Medium·2 hours 45 minutes (plus overnight soaking)

Koliva

Koliva is a traditional Greek Orthodox memorial dish made from boiled wheat berries, nuts, and pomegranate seeds, symbolizing the resurrection and the seeds of life. It is often prepared for memorial services and feasts.

Greece·Easy·40 minutes

Kolokythakia Tiganita

Crispy, golden-fried zucchini rounds coated in a light, airy beer batter. A quintessential Greek summer mezze, perfect for sharing.

Greece·Easy·50-55 minutes

Kolokythokeftedes

Deliciously crispy and savory Greek zucchini fritters, a popular Cretan specialty. These patties are packed with fresh zucchini, salty feta cheese, and aromatic herbs like mint and dill. Perfect as an appetizer or light meal.

Greece·Easy·2 hours 15 minutes (including rising)

Koulouri Thessalonikis

Chewy Greek bread rings generously coated in sesame seeds, a beloved street food breakfast staple across Greece and Turkey.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 5 minutes

Kourabiedes

Kourabiedes are traditional Greek butter cookies, known for their incredibly crumbly texture and rich almond flavor. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are a staple during the Christmas holidays, generously dusted with powdered sugar.

Greece·Medium·2 hours 30 minutes

Lahanodolmades

Tender cabbage leaves are filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, and fresh herbs, then gently simmered and finished with a rich, creamy avgolemono (egg-lemon) sauce. This is a classic Greek comfort food, perfect for a hearty meal.

Greece·Medium·2 hours 50 minutes

Lamb Giouvetsi with Yogurt

A comforting and flavorful Greek baked dish featuring tender lamb stewed with orzo pasta, enriched with a creamy yogurt sauce. This is a variation of the classic Giouvetsi, often prepared for special occasions.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 45 minutes (including rising)

Loukoumades

Loukoumades are delightful, bite-sized fried dough balls, a traditional Greek sweet, often referred to as 'honey tokens' or 'honey puffs'. They are known for their crispy exterior, fluffy interior, and are generously drenched in a warm honey syrup infused with cinnamon, then sprinkled with crushed walnuts. This ancient treat was even enjoyed by athletes in the original Olympic Games.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 10 minutes

Makaronada me Kima

A comforting and flavorful Greek classic, Makaronada me Kima features spaghetti tossed with a rich, cinnamon-spiced meat sauce. Traditionally enjoyed as a hearty Sunday lunch.

Greece·Easy·25-30 minutes

Manitaria Scharas

A simple yet flavorful Greek mezze featuring large mushrooms grilled to perfection with a zesty olive oil, garlic, and herb marinade. Ideal as an appetizer or side dish.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 5 minutes - 1 hour 20 minutes

Melitzanosalata

A classic Greek appetizer, Melitzanosalata is a smoky and flavorful roasted eggplant dip, distinct from Baba Ghanoush due to its simpler preparation and fewer ingredients. It's typically made with roasted eggplant, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice, offering a delightful balance of smoky, tangy, and savory notes.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 15 minutes - 1 hour 20 minutes

Melomakarona

Melomakarona are traditional Greek Christmas cookies, characterized by their soft, crumbly texture, warm spice notes, and a rich soaking in honey syrup. They are typically made with olive oil, making them suitable for fasting periods.

Greece·Easy·15 minutes

Ntakos

A classic Cretan meze, Ntakos features crunchy barley rusks (paximadia) topped with juicy grated tomatoes, creamy feta or mizithra cheese, a generous drizzle of olive oil, and fragrant oregano. It's a refreshing and simple dish perfect for a light meal or appetizer, especially during the summer months.

Greece·Easy·4 hours 45 minutes (including marinating)

Paidakia

Authentic Greek lamb chops (paidakia), marinated in a simple yet flavorful blend of olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and garlic, then grilled to perfection. A quintessential taverna dish, best enjoyed with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 55 minutes

Papoutsakia

Papoutsakia, meaning 'little shoes' in Greek, are a comforting and classic dish of tender eggplant halves filled with a savory spiced ground meat and tomato mixture, then topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and baked until golden. A true taste of Greek home cooking.

Greece·Medium·4 hours 15 minutes

Pastitsada

A traditional Corfiot dish featuring tender rooster (or chicken) slow-braised in a rich, aromatic tomato and red wine sauce, infused with warm spices. Served over thick pasta and finished with grated Kefalotiri cheese, this dish showcases a distinct Venetian influence on the island of Corfu.

Greece·Medium·2 hours 15 minutes

Pastitsio

A classic Greek baked pasta dish featuring layers of al dente tubular pasta, a rich, spiced ground meat sauce, and a creamy, decadent béchamel, all baked to golden perfection. Often referred to as 'Greek lasagna'.

Greece·Medium·5 hours - 5 hours 45 minutes

Patsas

A hearty and comforting Greek tripe soup, traditionally enjoyed as a late-night restorative meal or a potent hangover cure. This rich broth, made tender with slow-cooked tripe and pork feet, is finished with a creamy avgolemono sauce. The pungent garlic and tangy vinegar provide a sharp contrast to the richness.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 35 minutes - 1 hour 45 minutes

Prasopita

A savory and comforting Greek leek pie featuring tender leeks and salty feta cheese encased in layers of crisp phyllo dough. Perfect as a main dish or appetizer, and delicious served at room temperature.

Greece·Easy·1 hour

Prasorizo

A simple, creamy, and comforting vegetarian Greek rice dish featuring tender leeks, fragrant dill, and bright lemon. Perfect as a light main or a side.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 5 minutes - 1 hour 15 minutes

Psari Plaki

A classic Greek dish where a whole fish is baked on a bed of tomatoes, onions, and herbs, creating a flavorful and tender meal. Simple yet elegant, perfect for any occasion.

Greece·Easy·2 hours 55 minutes

Moschari Kokkinisto

A classic Greek comfort food, Moschari Kokkinisto features tender chunks of beef slow-braised in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce infused with warm spices. This dish is deeply satisfying and perfect for a hearty meal.

Greece·Medium·2 hours 15 minutes

Greek Lamb Fricassee with Avgolemono Sauce

A comforting and classic Greek stew featuring tender lamb shoulder simmered in a rich broth, then finished with a delicate avgolemono (egg-lemon) sauce and wilted romaine lettuce. Perfect for spring.

Greece·Medium·3 hours 30 minutes (including soaking and cooling)

Greek Baklava

Authentic Greek baklava featuring delicate layers of buttered phyllo dough generously filled with a fragrant walnut and spice mixture, all bathed in a sweet honey-lemon syrup. A truly decadent dessert.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 5 minutes

Psari sto Fourno me Patates kai Lemoni

A simple yet flavorful baked fish with potatoes, lemon, and herbs, showcasing the fresh flavors of Greek cuisine. This dish is a staple in many Greek households, often prepared for family gatherings.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 5 minutes - 1 hour 10 minutes

Psari sto Fourno me Patates kai Lemoni

A simple yet flavorful Greek dish featuring whole baked fish (often sea bream or sea bass) cooked in the oven with potatoes, lemon, olive oil, and herbs. It's a staple in Greek households for its ease of preparation and delicious taste.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 40 minutes

Psarosoupa

A comforting and flavorful Greek fish soup, featuring a whole fish simmered with aromatic vegetables. The soup is enriched with a silky avgolemono (egg-lemon sauce) for a truly authentic taste.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 45 minutes (including syrup preparation and initial soaking)

Revani

A delightful Greek semolina cake, Revani is soaked in a fragrant orange-scented syrup. It's a simple yet incredibly satisfying dessert, perfect for any occasion.

Greece·Easy·8-10 hours (plus overnight soaking)

Revithada

Revithada is a cherished Sifnian specialty, a hearty and flavorful dish of chickpeas slow-baked overnight in a traditional clay pot. This method results in incredibly tender chickpeas infused with aromatic flavors, perfect for a comforting meal.

Greece·Easy·10-12 minutes

Saganaki

A classic Greek appetizer, Saganaki features a thick slice of cheese pan-fried to a delightful golden-brown crisp on the outside, while remaining wonderfully gooey and melty within. Served with a bright squeeze of lemon, it's a simple yet impressive dish. Opa!

Greece·Easy·35-40 minutes

Skordalia

A classic Greek garlic and potato purée, Skordalia is known for its potent garlic flavor and creamy texture. It's a versatile accompaniment, often served with fried fish, boiled or fried vegetables like beets, or as a dip.

Greece·Medium·1 hour

Sofrito

A traditional Corfiot specialty, this Sofrito features thinly sliced beef simmered in a rich, aromatic sauce of white wine and abundant garlic, finished with fresh parsley. It's a testament to the island's Venetian culinary influences.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 15 minutes

Soutzoukakia Smyrneika

Soutzoukakia Smyrneika are flavorful, cumin-spiced meatballs originating from Smyrna (modern-day Izmir) in Asia Minor, simmered in a rich tomato and red wine sauce. This dish carries a significant cultural heritage, often associated with Greek refugees from Asia Minor.

Greece·Easy·4 hours 20 minutes (including marinating)

Souvlaki

Tender cubes of pork shoulder marinated in a vibrant blend of lemon juice, olive oil, and oregano, then grilled to perfection on skewers until beautifully charred. Served traditionally in warm pita bread with fresh tomato, red onion, and creamy tzatziki sauce.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 15 minutes - 1 hour 20 minutes

Spanakopita

A classic Greek savory pie featuring layers of crisp, golden phyllo dough encasing a flavorful and herbaceous filling of fresh spinach, tangy feta cheese, and aromatic herbs.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 5 minutes - 1 hour 10 minutes

Spanakopitakia

Delicate, crispy phyllo pastry triangles filled with a savory mixture of spinach, feta cheese, fresh dill, and green onions. These bite-sized pies are a classic Greek appetizer, perfect for parties and gatherings.

Greece·Easy·1 hour

Spetzofai

A hearty and flavorful Greek sausage stew, originating from the Pelion mountain region. Spicy country sausages are simmered with colorful bell peppers and a rich tomato sauce, infused with oregano. It's a rustic dish perfect for a comforting meal.

Greece·Medium·3 hours

Stifado

A rich and warming Greek beef stew, featuring tender beef braised with sweet pearl onions in a fragrant, cinnamon-spiced tomato sauce. Perfect comfort food.

Greece·Easy·20 minutes

Taramosalata

A classic Greek meze, Taramosalata is a creamy and briny dip made from cured fish roe, bread, lemon juice, and olive oil. Its distinctive pale pink hue and rich flavor make it a perfect accompaniment to pita bread, fresh vegetables, or crusty bread.

Greece·Easy·20 minutes

Taramosalata

A classic Greek dip made from cured fish roe (tarama), blended with bread, olive oil, lemon juice, and onion. It's a smooth, pale pink spread, often enjoyed as a meze or appetizer, especially during Lent.

Greece·Medium·2 hours (including chilling)

Tirokroketes

Tirokroketes are delightful Greek cheese croquettes, featuring a crispy fried exterior and a warm, savory cheese filling, perfectly complemented by a drizzle of sweet honey. They make an excellent appetizer or mezze.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 15 minutes - 1 hour 20 minutes

Tiropita

A classic Greek savory pie featuring layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with a creamy mixture of feta cheese, eggs, and fresh dill. Perfect for breakfast, a light lunch, or a satisfying snack.

Greece·Easy·1 hour 15 minutes (including draining and chilling)

Tzatziki

A classic Greek yogurt and cucumber dip, essential for any meze platter. This thick, refreshing dip is packed with fresh cucumber, pungent garlic, and fragrant dill, all brought together with a drizzle of olive oil and a hint of lemon.

Greece·Easy·2 hours

Yemista

Vibrant and flavorful Greek Yemista features ripe tomatoes and bell peppers generously stuffed with a fragrant herbed rice and pine nut filling, then baked until tender and golden. Potatoes absorb the delicious juices, making them a perfect accompaniment.

Greece·Easy·3 hours 10 minutes

Youvetsi

A comforting and flavorful Greek one-pot dish featuring tender lamb shoulder braised in a rich tomato and spice sauce, then baked with orzo pasta until perfectly cooked. Kefalotiri cheese adds a salty, savory finish.

Greece·Medium·1 hour 50 minutes

Kritharoto me Galopoula

A hearty and flavorful dish from Northern Greece, featuring orzo pasta cooked like risotto with tender turkey neck and aromatic herbs.

Greece·Medium·31m

Kotopoulo me Xylopites

Kotopoulo me Xylopites is a traditional Greek dish featuring chicken cooked with Xylopites, a type of handmade pasta. This hearty and flavorful meal is often enjoyed during family gatherings and celebrations, showcasing rustic flavors.

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