Have your very own Mediterranean feast at home with these 13 Greek-inspired sides.
I don’t know about you, but I could use a Greek vacation. Unfortunately, I have no plans to travel to Greece anytime soon. That, however, doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy Greek flavors from the comfort of my home. Many Mediterranean dishes are light, vibrant, and packed with fresh produce like eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, and herbs—perfect for summer. Below, you’ll find our favorite Greek sides, including comforting potatoes with halloumi, zucchini fritters, and a refreshing Greek salad. These sides pair well with almost anything, but for a Mediterranean-inspired feast, serve them alongside hearty moussaka, chicken souvlaki, or grilled fish.
01 of 13
Lemony Broiled Potatoes With Halloumi Cheese
This clever take on potatoes au gratin draws inspiration from a classic Greek potato preparation: potatoes roasted with plenty of lemon juice. Instead of layering thick slices or chunks of potato, you’ll slice them paper-thin, arrange them in a cast iron skillet with olive oil, then top them with salty halloumi. The result is a golden, cheesy dish you’ll always want more of.
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02 of 13
Chaniotiko Boureki (Greek Potato, Zucchini, and Cheese Pie)
Boureki preparations vary widely around Greece. This version is a specialty of Chania, the western region of Crete. Layers of potatoes, zucchini, and cheese are topped with a sheet of flaky homemade pastry, creating a dish that falls somewhere between a savory vegetable pie and rustic casserole.
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03 of 13
Greek Chickpea Fritters (Revithokeftedes)
These Greek chickpea fritters, known as revithokeftedes, are crisp, fluffy, herb-packed, and easy to make with pantry staples.
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04 of 13
Lagana (Greek Sesame Flatbread)
Lagana is traditionally associated with Clean Monday, the first day of Lent in the Greek Orthodox tradition. Tahini, durum flour, and whole wheat give the bread a rich nuttiness and lightly chewy texture that makes it especially good for tearing and serving alongside soups, salads, and classic Greek mezze.
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05 of 13
Arakas (Greek Peas With Potatoes and Carrots)
Arakas is a staple of Greek home cooking. The simple braise consists of peas, potatoes, and carrots gently cooked in olive oil that’s then often finished with tomato. Served with feta and plenty of crusty bread it’s humble and deeply comforting.
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06 of 13
Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach and Rice)
To make this easy, comforting dish, gently cook rice, greens, olive oil, alliums, and broth until it’s saucy and spoonable, then finish it with a drizzle of olive oil and a generous squeeze of lemon juice.
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07 of 13
5-Ingredient Greek Chickpea Stew (Revithia)
This interpretation of Greek chickpea stew is warming, deeply comforting, and requires just five ingredients. To make it, simmer chickpeas with aromatics, partially blend the stew midway through cooking, then top with olive oil and lemon juice.
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08 of 13
Patates Lemonates (Greek Lemon Potatoes)
Here are Greek potatoes in their most classic form: roasted until they’re crispy on the outside and meltingly tender on the inside, while soaking up a vibrant mixture of lemon, garlic, herbs, and stock.
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09 of 13
Kolokithokeftedes (Greek Zucchini Fritters) with Tzatziki
Even if you don’t love zucchini, you probably love zucchini fritters that are crisp on the outside and tender within. Fresh dill brings a herbaceous kick, a touch of ground nutmeg adds a hint of warmth, and crumbled feta gives the fritters a wonderfully salty, tangy flavor.
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10 of 13
Avgolemono Soup (Greek Lemon-Egg Chicken Soup)
Avgolemono is a mixture of eggs and lemon used to thicken soups and sauces in Greece, and here it’s used to make a tangy and creamy chicken soup. Tempering the hot broth into the eggs before adding the eggs back to the broth ensures they won’t scramble, and slowly poaching the chicken breast delivers tender, juicy meat.
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11 of 13
Horiatiki (Greek Salad)
This version of Greek salad combines traditional and non-traditional elements, and features peak summer tomatoes, refreshing cucumbers, briny black olives, and quick-pickled onions that add pops of acidity. Don’t skip the ultimate topper: slabs of feta.
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12 of 13
Spanakopita (Greek Savory Greens Pie)
For a twist on the classic, this version of Greek spanakopita uses an assortment of greens and tender herbs in addition to spinach. Massaging the greens and combining them with warm sautéed aromatics wilts them sufficiently, eliminating the need for precooking. For large curds of feta that run through the pie, gentle fold the crumbled cheese into the greens.
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13 of 13
Saganaki With Walnut Vinaigrette (Greek Pan-Fried Cheese)
Fried cheese. Need we say more? Pan-fry kasseri or halloumi cheese until it’s crisp and golden, then top it with a tangy walnut vinaigrette and a pile of fresh parsley. Drop it in the center of the table with crusty bread, vegetables, and crackers and watch it disappear.
Get Recipe: Saganaki With Walnut Vinaigrette (Greek Pan-Fried Cheese)
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