What is the most popular food in Greece?
While Greece is widely known for its fascinating history, enchanting islands, and magnificent weather, it is also known to have some of the tastiest food in the world!
With age-old recipes, Greek cuisine has been influenced by Middle Eastern, Italian, and Ottoman cultures. Fresh vegetables, fish, olive oil, wine, meat, and grains play a significant role in these dishes, as well as cheese, bread, olives, herbs, and yogurt.
1. Moussaka
Moussaka is a creamy delicious dish made of spiced meat (beef or lamb) cooked in tomato sauce and then layered with fried eggplant and bechamel sauce. This is one of the ultimate traditional Greek dishes.
2. Papoutsakia (Stuffed Eggplants)
Papoutsakia is stuffed eggplants that are first baked until soft and then filled with a tomato-based meat sauce, topped with bechamel sauce and cheese, and baked till they get a beautiful golden color! The dish is called papoutsakia (little shoes) because its shape resembles little shoes. Due to its ingredients, the dish tastes a lot like Moussaka.
3. Pastitsio (Greek lasagna)
Pastitsio is another traditional Greek dish that consists of baked layers of pasta, juicy minced beef, bechamel and tomato sauce, topped melted cheese. The minced beef is cooked in a tomato sauce along with some spices. This traditional Greek recipe is also called “Greek lasagna”, as its beef sauce has a similar taste to the Italian bolognese sauce.
4. Souvlaki & Gyros
Souvlaki is considered one of the most popular dishes in Greece! A very important thing to keep in mind with this dish is that it is all about the place you buy it from. Almost every restaurant has its own unique recipe, and, as the quality of the meat and sauce really matters, they certainly do not all taste the same. Souvlaki can be served either wrapped in pita or plated on a dish with any preferred meat along with french fries, lettuce, tomatoes, and its distinctive sauce.
5. Soutzoukakia (Greek Meatballs)
Soutzoukakia are sausages made from a mixture of ground pork and beef, cumin, and olive oil which are cooked in a red wine sauce. These Greek meatballs are served with rice on the side. Soutzoukakia are very filling and are perfect on cold winter days.
6. Stifado (Greek Beef Stew)
Stifado is a traditional Greek beef-stew cooked with tomatoes, onions, cinnamon, vinegar or red wine, and a variety of spices and herbs. Traditionally, this Greek dish is either served with rice, chip potatoes, hilopittes (egg pasta), or orzo/kritharaki pasta. For cold winter days, serve it with mashed potatoes for a hearty and warming meal.
7. Tomatokeftedes (Tomato Fritters)
Tomatokeftedes, or tomato fritters, are a traditional appetizer on the island of Santorini. Made with diced tomatoes, onions, mint, and feta cheese, these small bites of heaven provide a unique combination of flavors. Due to the volcanic nature of the island’s soil, the local tomatoes have an amazing texture, which make for the best tomato fritters!
8. Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a classic Greek dip/appetizer made of strained yogurt, garlic, cucumber, olive oil, fresh dill, and sometimes lemon juice. It is a simple and easy appetizer to prepare and it goes perfectly with almost every dish!
9. Kolokithokeftedes (Fried Zucchini/Courgette Balls)
Kolokithokeftedes is a popular Cretan appetizer that will mesmerize your taste buds with its flavorful texture. The starter consists of zucchini, fresh mint, feta cheese, and extra virgin olive oil.
10. Choriatiki (Greek Salad)
An all-time favorite for all Greeks is Choriatiki salad, which is a must with almost every single meal. This Greek salad is made with cucumber, olives, tomatoes, and a big piece of feta cheese. The dressing is left for each person’s preference, which is why every restaurant serves olive oil, salt, vinegar, and pepper with the salad. Choriatiki is traditionally eaten as a starter but can also be a great side dish.
11. Saganaki (Fried Cheese)
Attention cheese lovers! You will love this appetizer. You will need less than 20 minutes to prepare this beloved Greek recipe, using only two ingredients—cheese and flour. A block of cheese is cut into thin slices and then dredged in the flour. The cheese is then fried at a high temperature, until it forms a golden crust. Easy and very tasty!
