20 Greek Recipes That Are Perfect for Summer Dinners
These recipes are simple, top-rated, and vibrant.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Summer is the right season for exploring Greek cuisine. After all, Greek cooking makes the most of fresh produce and clean bright flavors. It's also a Mediterranean cuisine that really rewards simplicity. Give these top-rated recipes for vibrant Greek salads and simple grilled chicken, fish, and lamb dishes a try.
Greek Horiatiki Salad
Diana Moutsopoulos
This Greek summer salad is best with ripe, red tomatoes. "This is the one and only Greek salad recipe that you'll ever need!" says Editorial Director Diana Moutsopoulos. "Enjoy this Greek salad for summer BBQs, Greek dinner parties, picnics, and more will yield the best result. Serve with loads of good crusty bread to mop up the gorgeous juices."
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
"This light and refreshing cold pasta salad is loaded with the flavors of the Mediterranean, and pairs well with grilled proteins, such as fish, pork, chicken or steak," says Kim's Cooking Now. "If you make this in advance, reserve a bit of the dressing to add right before serving, as the pasta has a tendency to soak up the dressing as it sits over time."
Greek Island Chicken Shish Kebabs
Give your chicken a quick dip in a Greek-inspired mixture of olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs before threading them onto skewers with bell pepper, mushrooms, and tomatoes. "This is a nice change from the ordinary grilled chicken," according to recipe creator Dolce Cuoco. "This is excellent served with pita bread, a garlicky tzatziki, and a Greek salad."
Branzino Mediterranean
"This simple, healthy, and delicious Mediterranean fish, also known as 'Greek Sea Bass,' should be cooked whole," says Christala. "The cavity of the fish can be stuffed with lemon and other ingredients for added flavor. It is a very mild-tasting and versatile fish. The oregano and lemon make it truly Greek cuisine that many will enjoy. Can be found wild-caught in many stores. Enjoy!"
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My Big Fat Greek Salad
This Greek salad combines fresh summer tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, bell peppers, Kalamata olives, oregano, and feta cheese along with a simple bright vinaigrette. "You can't go wrong with this Greek salad," says Chef John, "especially if you remember the only and most important tip: toss it with the vinegar first before adding olive oil."
Skordalia (Greek Garlic Potato Dip)
To make this famous Greek dip, just smash boiled potatoes and garlic into a paste, along with lemon juice, vinegar, and olive oil. And then, to develop the unique luxurious texture, you'll press them through a mesh strainer. "Not only is this a fabulous dip for vegetables and breads and things like that, it's also served as a side dish for things like fried fish and grilled meats—so this stuff is as versatile as it is easy to make," says Chef John.
Grilled Greek Chicken
Chef John
The secret to this simple Greek-inspired grilled chicken is "a very powerful marinade and 'roasting' it slowly over semi-indirect heat on the grill," says Chef John.
Lamb Souvlaki
"Tender pieces of lamb are marinated in a Greek lemon vinaigrette, threaded on skewers, and char-grilled to perfection," says Kim's Cooking Now. "I like to serve these with rosemary garlic roasted potatoes, a Greek salad, and pita bread."
Greek Chicken and Potato Bowl
This Greek-inspired meal is like a mashup of two classic Chef John recipes: his classic Greek chicken and potatoes recipe combined with his Greek salad recipe. It's a complete meal in a bowl. "My family LOVED this!" raves CathyandRob Smith. "It reminds us of the time we were in Greece, eating at the delicious Greek restaurants!"
Greek Farro Salad
"This is a great alternative to a cold pasta salad as farro doesn't get soggy and holds up to the dressing very well," says WestCoastMom. "Farro is an ancient Mediterranean grain, so I wanted to merge it with a Greek-style salad that's perfect for summertime. This is great served with grilled lamb or chicken. Add black olives or fresh herbs to your liking!"
Greek Style Garlic Chicken Breast
This simple Greek-inspired chicken recipe features a simple marinade made of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and paprika. "This recipe was passed down through my family for years," says Michael. "If you're looking for a great tasting, tender chicken breast, this is what you're looking for—Greek style."
Chef John's Lamb Moussaka Burger
Not traditional, of course, but you don't want to miss Chef John's amazing moussaka makeover. "I've been daydreaming recently about a lamb burger based on the famous Greek casserole Moussaka," says Chef John. "For those of you who don't know, moussaka is a stunning blend of spiced ground lamb, tomato, and eggplant, topped with a creamy, cheesy white sauce. I decided to integrate the eggplant right into the burger itself, instead of topping the burger with cooked slices."
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Orzo and Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese
"A cold orzo feta tomato salad with orzo, green olives, feta cheese, parsley, dill, tomato, olive oil, and lemon juice. If you don't have fresh herbs, use 1 teaspoon dried. As a personal chef, I can let you know that my clients love this dish," says COZYCUISINE.
Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
These seasoned Greek kabobs are served with a simple homemade tzatziki sauce. "Love this recipe!" raves BusyMom. "It came out wonderful! Served with pita, tomatoes, and red onions. Delicious!"
Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers (Yemista)
Have some extra summer tomatoes and peppers on hand? "The best time to make it is in August when the garden tomatoes are ready for harvest," says Denise Phillips Sarigianopoulo. "My mom made this every year, and when she did, I thought I died and went to heaven."
Maroulosalata (Greek Romaine Salad)
"The simple ingredient list shouldn't fool you — it's such a light, crunchy, refreshing salad that is full of flavor," says Editorial Director Diana Moutsopoulos. "In Greece, maroulosalata is one of the most common salads. I particularly love it alongside roast or grilled meats. The key to authenticity is to almost shred the romaine lettuce (marouli), rather than tear it into large pieces as we normally do in the States."
Kolokithokeftedes (Greek Zucchini Fritters)
When the end of summer gives you mountains of fresh zucchini, you'll need this recipe. Pan fry these bread crumb-coated fritters in olive oil.
Frozen Greek Yogurt
Take the edge off the summer heat with this frozen Greek yogurt flavored with minted honey. "Cold, smooth, and refreshing," says Beckerkorn. "Terrific for summer evenings. Garnish with mint sprigs, orange wheels, or strawberry slices."
Briam (Greek Baked Zucchini and Potatoes)
"This briam recipe makes a roasted vegetable dish with potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, red onions, and lots of olive oil," says Editorial Director Diana Moutsopoulos. "It is a typical example of Greek cuisine where a few simple ingredients are turned into an utterly delicious dish with little effort. Briam can be served as a main course with a hearty chunk of feta on the side."
Best Greek Quinoa Salad
"This Greek quinoa salad is one of my absolute favorite recipes," says Allrecipes community member AllisonKaye. "It's so flavorful and always a big hit with my family and friends. Trust me, you'll want to eat every single bite!"
More Greek Recipes and Inspiration
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
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