11 Easy Greek Recipes

I learned these easy Greek recipes by cooking alongside home cooks and chefs across Greece, from Athens to Crete to the hills of Kyparissia. Once you try these dishes, I promise you will never need to order takeout again.

As someone who was born and raised on the Mediterranean and has devoted my career to sharing the heart of this sunny region through my cookbooks and recipes, I have learned that the most profound flavors usually come from the simplest ingredients.

And while my kitchen embraces the flavors of all 22 countries surrounding the Mediterranean sea, Greece is probably the one place I return to more than any other. My travels have taken me from the bustling markets of Athens to the sun-drenched shores of Crete and Santorini, into the quiet hills of Kyparissia, and through dozens of small towns and villages in between. Along the way, I have had the honor of cooking side-by-side with Greek home cooks and professional chefs alike. I learned the soul of their kitchens one dish at a time.

In fact, I just came back from Greece. I was there for the olive harvest with our dear friends Spiros and Stavroula Kotsovolos. They produce our Greek extra virgin olive oils in the silver-green hills of Kyparissia. I could not help but come home with a renewed affection for the iconic Greek dishes I have loved for years.

What I Love About Cooking the Greek Way

What I love most about cooking the Greek way is how it turns the humble into something spectacular. It is the magic of liquid-gold olive oil, a handful of wild oregano, and a squeeze of bright lemon.

This collection of easy Greek recipes represents the dishes I know by heart. They are the ones I have refined alongside local chefs and home cooks. They are the ones I return to most often to feed my own family. I promise you, once you start cooking like a Greek, you will never settle for a takeout gyro again.

Traditional Greek Food and Comfort Casseroles

Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)

If there is one dish that defines everyday Greek home cooking, it is spanakopita. Crisp layers of phyllo give way to a savory filling of spinach, herbs, and feta, all layered together with olive oil. If you love this combination like I do, try these egg bites or this gorgeous green spinach soup next.

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Greek Meatballs (Keftedes)

Keftedes are the kind of recipe every Greek family claims as their own. These meatballs are seasoned simply with mint, garlic, lemon, and warming spices. They are fried until golden.

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Shrimp Saganaki

This is a classic taverna dish that showcases Greece’s love of seafood. Juicy shrimp simmer in tomato sauce with feta and olive oil until everything melds together. Add some horta, Greek greens with lemon and garlic, for a light, unfussy dinner.

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Biftekia (Baked Greek Beef Patties)

This homey dish features juicy beef patties baked with herbs and olive oil until tender. It is a Greek family favorite, and you will find them everywhere. They are often served with lemon potatoes or a simple marousalata salad.

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Favorite Greek Chicken Dishes

Greek Sheet-Pan Chicken

I came up with this recipe by watching Greek cooks cook. Chicken, vegetables, olives, and feta go in one pan. It is seasoned generously with ladolemono and roasted until the flavors concentrate and everything begins to caramelize. Simple and delicious.

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Greek Chicken and Potatoes

Chicken roasts in herb-flecked olive oil alongside potatoes and wheels of lemon until everything is infused with flavor. This dish is pure Greek home cooking. It is simple and delicious. Add a crunchy and sweet bell pepper salad for a balanced dinner.

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Easy Chicken Gyros

The gyro is Greece’s answer to fast food. But when made my way, it is wholesome too. Yogurt-marinated chicken stays nice and juicy. It is delicious in a bowl or wrapped in warm pita with crunchy veg and tzatziki. Either way, it makes for a fast meal without sacrificing flavor.

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Greek Salad and Vegetarian Favorites

Traditional Greek Salad (Horiatiki)

This Greek salad contains no lettuce. Just tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta, onion, and olive oil. When I first had horiatiki in Greece, it changed how I make salads forever. It remains one of my favorite accompaniments for grilled salmon or marinated grilled chicken.

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Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach Rice)

Rice with spinach, herbs, olive oil, and lemon makes a classic vegetarian dish. It works as a main or a side. Try this version with cabbage too.

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Gigantes Plaki (Greek Baked Beans)

Giant white beans baked in cinnamon-scented tomato sauce are a staple of Greek vegetarian cooking. Slowly baked with olive oil and herbs, they become rich, tender, and deeply flavorful. All you need is some crusty bread.

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Greek Potatoes with Lemon, Garlic, and Parmesan

These lemony roasted potatoes are served everywhere in Greece, and for good reason. Crispy edges, soft centers, and flavor that is both tart and savory make them irresistible.

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Conclusion

These 11 easy Greek recipes bring the flavors of Greece right to your kitchen. From crispy spanakopita to juicy chicken gyros and classic horiatiki salad, each dish is simple yet full of flavor. The secret is using quality ingredients like good olive oil, fresh herbs, and lemon.

Whether you are new to Greek cooking or looking to expand your repertoire, these recipes are a great place to start. They are perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or a taste of the Mediterranean any day of the week. Opa.

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