22 Best Vegetarian Greek Side Dishes You Need to Try (Your Taste Buds Will Thank You!)
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with these 22 vegetarian Greek side dishes that will elevate your dining experience.
From fresh salads to savory dips, these recipes are not only healthy but also packed with the authentic essence of Greek cuisine. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply want to delight your palate, these dishes are sure to impress.
1. Tzatziki Sauce
Creamy and refreshing, tzatziki is a classic Greek sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, and garlic. Perfect as a dip for pita or a topping for grilled vegetables, this sauce brings a burst of flavor to any meal.
**Ingredients:** Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, salt.
**Instructions:** Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture. In a bowl, mix yogurt, cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, and salt. Serve chilled.
2. Greek Village Salad (Horiatiki)
This rustic salad is a celebration of fresh ingredients, combining ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, red onions, green peppers, olives, and feta cheese.
Dressed simply with olive oil and oregano, this salad embodies the essence of Mediterranean health.
3. Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)
Flaky and golden, spanakopita is a savory pastry filled with spinach, feta, and herbs, wrapped in crispy phyllo dough. It’s perfect as an appetizer or a side dish alongside any main course.
**Ingredients:** Phyllo dough, spinach, feta cheese, onions, olive oil, dill, egg.
**Instructions:** Sauté onions until translucent, add spinach until wilted, then mix with feta, dill, and beaten egg. Layer phyllo sheets, fill with the mixture, and bake until golden.
4. Roasted Red Peppers with Feta
Sweet, smoky roasted red peppers paired with creamy feta make for a delightful side dish. This dish can be served warm or at room temperature, making it versatile for any occasion.
**Ingredients:** Red bell peppers, feta cheese, olive oil, garlic, thyme.
**Instructions:** Roast the peppers until charred, peel, and slice them. Toss with crumbled feta, minced garlic, and thyme, then drizzle with olive oil.
5. Greek Lemon Potatoes
These roasted potatoes are infused with lemon, garlic, and herbs, resulting in a zesty, comforting dish that pairs perfectly with any Greek meal.
**Ingredients:** Potatoes, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, olive oil, vegetable broth.
**Instructions:** Cut potatoes into wedges, toss with lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, and olive oil. Roast until golden and tender, basting with vegetable broth.
6. Gigantes Plaki (Giant Beans in Tomato Sauce)
A hearty dish of giant beans baked in a rich tomato sauce, flavored with herbs and spices. Gigantes Plaki is both filling and nutritious, making it a great vegetarian option.
**Ingredients:** Giant white beans, tomatoes, onion, garlic, parsley, olive oil, bay leaves.
**Instructions:** Soak and cook beans until tender. Sauté onions and garlic, add tomatoes and spices, then combine with beans and bake until bubbly.
7. Fava (Yellow Split Pea Purée)
Fava is a smooth and creamy purée made from yellow split peas, seasoned with olive oil and lemon. It’s a deliciously healthy dip that can be enjoyed with bread or fresh vegetables.
**Ingredients:** Yellow split peas, onion, olive oil, lemon juice, salt.
**Instructions:** Cook the split peas with onion until soft, blend until smooth, then mix in olive oil and lemon juice. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil on top.
8. Greek Stuffed Tomatoes (Yemista)
Stuffed tomatoes filled with a mixture of rice, herbs, and vegetables create a colorful and hearty side dish that’s bursting with flavor.
**Ingredients:** Tomatoes, rice, onion, parsley, olive oil, lemon, spices.
**Instructions:** Hollow out tomatoes and mix the insides with cooked rice, onion, and herbs. Stuff the mixture back into the tomatoes and bake until tender.
9. Olive Tapenade
This savory tapenade made from olives, capers, and olive oil is perfect for spreading on bread or as a dip. Its bold flavors complement any Mediterranean meal.
**Ingredients:** Black olives, green olives, capers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice.
**Instructions:** Blend olives, capers, and garlic until chunky, then stir in olive oil and lemon juice to taste. Serve with crackers or bread.
10. Baked Eggplant (Melitzanes Papoutsaki)
Baked eggplant stuffed with a savory mixture of tomatoes, onions, and spices is a must-try. This dish offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures that is both healthy and satisfying.
**Ingredients:** Eggplants, tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, herbs.
**Instructions:** Halve eggplants and scoop out some flesh. Sauté onion and garlic, add diced tomatoes and herbs, then fill the eggplant halves and bake until tender.
11. Chickpea Salad
This protein-packed salad features chickpeas, cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs, all tossed in a light lemon dressing. It’s refreshing and perfect for a summer meal.
**Ingredients:** Canned chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice.
**Instructions:** Rinse chickpeas, chop vegetables, and mix all ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice before serving.
12. Baked Zucchini Fritters
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these baked zucchini fritters are a delicious and healthy side dish. Pair them with tzatziki for a delightful appetizer.
**Ingredients:** Zucchini, flour, egg, feta cheese, herbs, salt, pepper.
**Instructions:** Grate zucchini and squeeze out excess moisture. Mix with flour, egg, crumbled feta, herbs, and seasonings. Form into patties and bake until golden.
13. Potato and Leek Soup
This creamy and comforting soup, made from potatoes and leeks, is perfect for a light starter or side. It’s wholesome and packed with flavor.
**Ingredients:** Potatoes, leeks, vegetable broth, cream, olive oil, herbs.
**Instructions:** Sauté leeks, add diced potatoes and broth, then simmer until tender. Blend until smooth and stir in cream before serving.
14. Cabbage Salad
This crunchy cabbage salad with a zesty lemon dressing makes a refreshing accompaniment to any meal. Add some olives and feta for extra flavor.
**Ingredients:** Cabbage, carrots, olives, feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice.
**Instructions:** Shred cabbage and carrots, mix with olives and crumbled feta. Dress with olive oil and lemon juice before serving.
15. Grilled Vegetable Skewers
These colorful grilled vegetable skewers are not only visually appealing but also bursting with flavor. They make a perfect side for any summer barbecue.
**Ingredients:** Bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, onion, olive oil, herbs.
**Instructions:** Cut vegetables into chunks, toss with olive oil and herbs, then skewer and grill until tender and charred.
16. Feta and Spinach Stuffed Peppers
Sweet bell peppers filled with a delightful mixture of feta cheese and spinach create a visually stunning and tasty side dish.
**Ingredients:** Bell peppers, spinach, feta cheese, breadcrumbs, olive oil.
**Instructions:** Halve the peppers and fill with a mixture of sautéed spinach, feta, and breadcrumbs. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until the peppers are tender.
17. Cucumber and Tomato Salad
This refreshing salad combines juicy tomatoes with crunchy cucumbers, dressed in olive oil, and a sprinkle of oregano. It’s a staple in Greek cuisine.
**Ingredients:** Cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, oregano, salt.
**Instructions:** Chop cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. Toss with olive oil, oregano, and salt to taste.
18. Greek Pasta Salad
This Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad features olives, feta, and colorful vegetables, tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. It’s perfect for picnics or as a side dish at gatherings.
**Ingredients:** Pasta, cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber, feta cheese, olive oil, red wine vinegar.
**Instructions:** Cook pasta, cool, then mix with halved tomatoes, sliced olives, cucumber, and feta. Dress with olive oil and vinegar before serving.
19. Fried Eggplant Slices
Crispy fried eggplant slices are a beloved Greek side dish, often served with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of salt. Their unique texture makes them a great addition to any meal.
**Ingredients:** Eggplant, flour, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, oil for frying.
**Instructions:** Slice eggplant, salt it to draw out moisture, then dip in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Fry until golden and crispy.
20. Sweet Potato and Feta Bake
This hearty bake combines sweet potatoes and feta for a flavorful twist on traditional Greek flavors, perfect as a side dish or a light main.
**Ingredients:** Sweet potatoes, feta cheese, olive oil, rosemary, garlic.
**Instructions:** Slice sweet potatoes, layer with crumbled feta, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with rosemary and garlic. Bake until tender.
21. Melitzanosalata (Eggplant Dip)
This smoky eggplant dip is a flavorful addition to any mezze platter. It’s creamy, with a hint of garlic and lemon, making it a must-try.
**Ingredients:** Eggplant, garlic, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt.
**Instructions:** Roast eggplant until soft, scoop out the flesh, and blend with garlic, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice until smooth. Serve with pita bread.
22. Spicy Feta Dip (Tyrokafteri)
A zesty and creamy dip made from feta cheese and spicy peppers, tyrokafteri is perfect for spreading on bread or serving as a dip.
**Ingredients:** Feta cheese, roasted red peppers, chili flakes, olive oil, lemon juice.
**Instructions:** Blend feta, roasted peppers, chili flakes, olive oil, and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Conclusion
These 22 vegetarian Greek side dishes are not just delicious; they’re a celebration of healthy, Mediterranean flavors that will leave you craving more.
Try them out at your next gathering, and watch your guests delight in the vibrant tastes and textures of Greek cuisine.