Greek cuisine is a joyful celebration of fresh, seasonal ingredients and communal dining, and we're bringing you insider secrets straight from Mandolin's restaurant kitchen.
Here, you'll discover 14 easy Greek cooking recipes—from appetizers to classic desserts—with prep & cook times, step-by-step instructions, and styling tips.
History Behind Greek Cuisine
It's rooted in fresh, seasonal ingredients and centuries-old traditions. Imagine sun-drenched orchards bursting with olives, fragrant herbs growing wild among terracotta pots, and tables piled high with handmade breads and cheeses.
At its core, Greek food celebrates balance through the combination of bright citrus and earthy olives, creamy feta cheese paired with slightly bitter greens, and a subtle drizzle of honey to add a finishing touch.
So, it's a joyful, communal way to dine that's as much about gathering around the table as it is about the food itself.
14 Quick and Tasty Greek Dishes
We covered everything from 5-minute appetizers and 20-minute lunches to weeknight dinners, seafood dishes, simple sides, light desserts, and time-tested classics. Each recipe features easy steps, prep & cook times, and links to our shop for styling and pantry essentials.
Get ready to cook!
Appetizers
Satisfy pre-meal cravings in under 10 minutes with these simple bites. In this section, you'll find Greek recipes that balance savory and sweet, featuring classic Mediterranean ingredients to set the tone for the meal ahead.
Feta Cheese & Honey Crostini (Prep: 5 min | Serves 4)
- Toast 8 baguette slices under the broiler until golden (2–3 min).
- Whip ½ cup crumbled feta cheese with 1 tbsp Greek yogurt until smooth.
- Spread whipped feta cheese onto toasts, drizzle 1 tbsp runny honey, and sprinkle fresh thyme leaves.
- Serve immediately.
Style Tip: Arrange on our Glass Dome with Cheese Board for an elegant starter display.
Olive Tapenade (Prep: 7 min | Serves 6)
- Pulse 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives, 1 tbsp capers, 1 clove garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, zest of ½ lemon in a food processor until chunky.
- Spoon into a small bowl and serve with pita chips or crudités.
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Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of oregano.
Quick Greek Lunch Ideas
From wrapped souvlaki to nutrient-packed grain bowls, discover these easy and tasty Greek foods that take under 20 minutes for a midday Mediterranean escape.
Chicken Souvlaki Wrap (Total: 15 min | Serves 2)
- Marinate 300 g diced chicken in 2 tbsp olive oil, juice of ½ lemon, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 clove minced garlic (5 min).
- Cook in a hot skillet for 5–6 min until browned.
- Assemble in warmed pita with sliced tomato, cucumber ribbons, and ¼ cup tzatziki.
- Roll tightly and slice in half.
- Serve alongside our Teakwood Serving Salad Bowl (extra large) for a festive mezze vibe.
Greek Grain Bowl (Prep: 10 min | Serves 2)
- Combine 1 cup cooked farro (or quinoa) with ½ cup chopped cucumber, ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup sliced Kalamata olives, and ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese.
- Drizzle 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp red wine vinegar.
- Toss gently, season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of dried oregano.
Weeknight Greek Dinner Recipes
Transform busy evenings into Mediterranean-style dinners by learning simple recipes for tender meats, layered casseroles, and flavor-packed meatballs. Here are the best three dishes to try!
Lemon-Oregano Baked Chicken (Bake: 35 min | Serves 4)
- Preheat oven to 400 °F.
- Toss 8 bone-in chicken thighs with 3 tbsp olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, 2 tsp dried oregano, 2 crushed garlic cloves.
- Arrange on a sheet pan; bake 35 min until skin is crisp and juices run clear.
- Rest 5 min before serving.
Easy Moussaka (Prep + Bake: 1 hr | Serves 6)
- Slice 2 eggplants into 1 cm rounds; brush with oil, bake 10 min at 400 °F.
- Cook 400 g of ground beef with 1 chopped onion, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 can of crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp of cinnamon, salt, and pepper (15 min).
- Layer eggplant, meat sauce, and béchamel (2 cups milk + 2 tbsp flour + 30 g butter) in a baking dish.
- Bake 30 min until golden.
One-Pan Greek Meatballs (Bake: 20 min | Serves 4)
- Mix 500 g ground lamb with 1 tbsp chopped mint, 1 tbsp parsley, 1 clove minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Form 16 meatballs; place in a baking dish.
- Pour over 1 cup tomato-feta sauce (1 can diced tomatoes + ½ cup crumbled feta cheese + herbs).
- Bake 20 min at 400 °F.
- Pair with a crisp white wine in our Gold Rimmed Wine Glasses for an elevated dinner.
Greek-Inspired Seafood Dishes
Seafood is the star of coastal Greece! Here, you'll find two recipes—shrimp skewers and baked fish, each leveraging quick marinades and easy cooking methods to let high-quality seafood shine with bright citrus, garlic, and herb notes.
Garlic-Herb Shrimp Skewers (Grill: 6 min | Serves 4)
- Marinate 500 g shrimp in 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, juice of ½ lemon (10 min).
- Thread onto skewers; grill 2–3 min per side until pink.
- Serve with extra lemon wedges.
Baked Fish with Olives (Bake: 18 min | Serves 4)
- Lay 4 white-fish fillets in a baking dish.
- Top with ½ cup chopped olives, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 tbsp capers, and drizzle 3 tbsp olive oil.
- Bake 18-20 min at 350 °F until the fish flakes easily.
- Experience these flavors firsthand at our Mandolin restaurant.
Simple Side Dishes
Whether you need a crispy roasted potato or a comforting bean bake, these Greek foods showcase classic techniques such as roasting, simmering, and seasoning to round out your spread with minimal effort.
Lemon-Roasted Potatoes (Roast: 30 min | Serves 4)
- Toss 600 g potato wedges in 3 tbsp olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, 2 crushed garlic cloves, and 1 tsp oregano.
- Roast 30 min at 400 °F, tossing halfway.
Gigantes Plaki (Bake: 1 hr 15 min | Serves 6)
- Soak 400 g giant lima beans overnight; drain.
- Simmer with 1 chopped onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 400 g crushed tomatoes, herbs, and salt (45 min).
- Transfer to a baking dish; bake 30-35 min at 350 °F until bubbly.
- Serve on our Glass Cloche with Cheese Board for an artful presentation.
Homemade Pita Bread (Prep: 10 min | Bake: 5 min | Makes 6)
- Dissolve 1 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tsp sugar in 1 cup warm water; let sit 5 min until foamy.
- Whisk 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp salt in a bowl; pour in yeast mixture and 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Stir into a shaggy dough, then knead on a floured surface 5–7 min until smooth.
- Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hr until doubled.
- Punch down the dough; divide it into six 80g balls. Roll each into a 15 cm circle on a floured surface.
- Preheat oven to 480 °F with a baking sheet inside.
- Bake circles 4–5 min on the hot sheet until puffed and golden.
- Wrap in a towel for 5 min to keep soft; serve warm pita bread.
Serve alongside dips on our Mango Wood Lazy Susan for a touch of authenticity.
Light Greek Desserts
Finish your meal on a refreshing note with desserts that focus on pure, simple ingredients, such as thick yogurt, floral honey, crunchy nuts, and delicate phyllo.
Honey-Drizzled Yogurt (No-Cook: 3 min | Serves 4)
- Spoon 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt into each bowl.
- Drizzle 1 tbsp honey, sprinkle chopped walnuts.
Phyllo Nut Triangles (Bake: 20 min | Makes 12)
- Fill 12 sheets of phyllo (buttered) with 2 tbsp chopped almonds mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Fold into triangles; bake 20-25 min at 350 °F until golden.
- Dust with powdered sugar.
Classic Greek Recipes
No repertoire is complete without these traditional recipes: tiropita and olive oil cake, featuring flaky phyllo, tangy cheese, and fragrant citrus.
Tiropita (Cheese Pie) (Bake: 45 min | Serves 6)
- Layer 8 sheets of phyllo in a buttered dish, brushing each with melted butter.
- Mix 300g feta, 2 eggs, and 1 tbsp yogurt; spread over phyllo.
- Top with remaining phyllo; bake 45 min at 375 °F
Olive Oil Cake (Bake: 50 min | Serves 8)
- Whisk together ¾ cup olive oil, ¾ cup sugar, 3 eggs, and the zest of 1 lemon until the mixture is pale.
- Fold in 1 cup flour, 1 tsp baking powder.
- Bake 45-50 min at 350 °F in a loaf pan; cool before slicing.
Do You Have All the Necessary Ingredients?
If not, stock up on authentic pantry essentials, such as extra-virgin olive oil, dried oregano, and heirloom grains, at our Pantry page.
Prefer to browse in person? Visit our Miami store location and let our team help you select the freshest ingredients for your next Greek feast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greek food Mediterranean?
Yes. Greek cuisine is a cornerstone of Mediterranean cooking, characterized by the use of olive oil, fresh produce, and simple preparations.
Is Greek food good for you?
Absolutely. Rich in healthy fats, vegetables, and lean proteins, it's celebrated for its balance and nutrient density.
What's the easiest Greek recipe for beginners?
Start with Feta & Honey Crostini—just toast, spread, and drizzle.
Can I meal-prep these easy Greek meals?
Yes. Dishes like Grain Bowls, Gigantes Plaki, and Roasted Potatoes can be stored in the fridge for 3–4 days.