Best Greek Recipes: 10 Must-Try Dishes to Bring the Flavors of Greece to Your Table

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Greek cuisine is a celebration of fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and centuries-old traditions. It’s a harmonious blend of Mediterranean freshness and rich heritage that’ll transport your taste buds straight to the sun-soaked shores of the Aegean.

Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or just starting out, these ten authentic Greek recipes are a surefire way to impress your family and friends.

Each dish is a masterpiece in its own right, full of the vibrant herbs, spices, and flavors that make Greek food legendary. Let’s jump in and discover the best Greek recipes to recreate at home.

1. Moussaka (Greek Eggplant Casserole)

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggplants, sliced

• 1 lb ground beef or lamb

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp nutmeg

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 2 cups béchamel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Brush eggplant slices with olive oil, season with salt, and roast until tender.

2. In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, then add ground meat, cooking until browned.

3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.

4. Layer half the roasted eggplant in a greased baking dish, add the meat mixture, and top with the remaining eggplant.

5. Spread béchamel sauce over the top, sprinkle with Parmesan, and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden.

2. Spanakopita (Spinach and Feta Pie)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh spinach, chopped

• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 1 tsp dill (fresh or dried)

• ½ tsp nutmeg

• 1 package phyllo dough

• ½ cup melted butter or olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Sauté onion in olive oil, add spinach, and cook until wilted. Cool slightly.

2. In a bowl, combine spinach mixture, feta, eggs, dill, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.

3. Layer phyllo sheets in a greased pan, brushing each layer with melted butter.

4. Spread the spinach mixture evenly and cover with more phyllo sheets, continuing to brush with butter.

5. Bake for 40 minutes until golden and crisp.

Spanakopitakia: Greek Spinach Pie Triangles

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3. Souvlaki (Greek Grilled Meat Skewers)

Ingredients:

• ½ lbs pork or chicken, cut into cubes

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 3 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Wooden skewers (soaked in water)

Ingredients:

1. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper.

2. Toss the meat cubes in the marinade, then refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

3. Thread the meat onto skewers and grill over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally.

4. Tzatziki (Cucumber-Yogurt Dip)

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups Greek yogurt

• 1 medium cucumber, grated and drained

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice

• 1 tsp fresh dill, chopped

• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and dill.

2. Mix well and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

5. Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Ingredients:

• 1 jar grape leaves, rinsed

• 1 cup rice, uncooked

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 3 tbsp pine nuts

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Sauté onion and pine nuts in olive oil, then mix with rice, parsley, salt, and pepper.

2. Place a spoonful of the mixture on each grape leaf, fold, and roll tightly.

3. Arrange dolmades in a pot, add lemon juice and water, and simmer for 40-50 minutes.

6. Horiatiki (Authentic Greek Salad)

Ingredients:

• 4 tomatoes, chopped

• 1 cucumber, sliced

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced

• ½ cup Kalamata olives

• 8 oz block of feta cheese

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Combine tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and olives in a large bowl.

2. Top with feta cheese, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle oregano, and add a pinch of salt.

7. Pastitsio (Greek Pasta Bake)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb penne or macaroni

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 large onion, diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup tomato sauce

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• 2 cups béchamel sauce

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook pasta and set aside. In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic, then add ground meat.

2. Stir in tomato sauce, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.

3. In a baking dish, layer half the pasta, meat sauce, and the remaining pasta.

4. Top with béchamel and Parmesan, then bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

8. Briam (Greek Roasted Vegetables)

Ingredients:

• 2 zucchinis, sliced

• 2 eggplants, sliced

• 3 potatoes, sliced

• 2 tomatoes, sliced

• 1 onion, sliced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• ½ cup olive oil

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Toss all vegetables with olive oil, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper.

2. Arrange in a baking dish and roast for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally.

9. Baklava (Layered Pastry with Nuts and Syrup)

Ingredients:

• 1 package phyllo dough

• 2 cups chopped walnuts

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 cup melted butter

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup water

• ½ cup honey

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix walnuts and cinnamon.

2. Layer phyllo dough in a greased pan, brushing each layer with butter. Sprinkle nut mixture every few layers.

3. Bake for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, simmer sugar, water, and honey to make syrup.

4. Pour syrup over baklava and let cool before serving.

10. Fasolada (Greek Bean Soup)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb dried white beans, soaked overnight

• 2 carrots, diced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• 1 onion, diced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup crushed tomatoes

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. n a large pot, cook the beans in water until tender. Set aside.

2. In the same pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery in olive oil.

3. Add tomatoes, thyme, salt, and cooked beans. Simmer for 30 minutes.