Looking to add a bit of Mediterranean to your eating plan? Mediterranean food has it all: flavor, heartiness, healthfulness and sustainability. With this list I offer the Best Authentic Mediterranean Recipes of the year! You can find ideas for breakfast, mains, salads, soups and desserts
Top Mediterranean Recipes
This list came about based on the top recipes readers have made including older and newer recipes. Classic such as Greek spinach rice, Spanakopita (spinach pie) and saganaki (fried cheese) are always favorites but there is so much more. So, if you interred in adding new recipes this year, look no further! And if you are interested in following a true Mediterranean diet and getting all the benefits it has to offer (physical and emotional), look no further, you are at the right place! Check out my Mediterranean Guide, Shopping list and Menu plan. And for more recipes my highly rated book.
The Mediterranean Diet
As you may have heard the Mediterranean Diet is considered the gold standard of diets both in terms of healthiness and flavor. If you are a follower of OliveTomato, you know that here you will find the authentic Mediterranean diet, Authentic Mediterranean recipes, not westernized versions and Mediterranean lifestyle advice based on firsthand lifelong experiences.
What is the Mediterranean Diet?
The Mediterranean Diet is an eating pattern and lifestyle that was observed in certain areas of the Mediterranean at a certain time and this eating pattern was associated with longevity. The initial guidelines were based on research and information gathered on the typical diet of Crete, much of the rest of Greece, and southern Italy in the early 1960s. Therefore, it is important to clarify that this is not a diet that reflects the eating pattern of the whole Mediterranean region as is often mistakenly described.
Best Authentic Mediterranean Recipes to try in 2023
BREAKFAST
Mediterranean Feta Toast
This delicious Mediterranean toast makes the perfect savory breakfast! Topped with refreshing and tangy whipped feta, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, kalamata olives and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.
Get the recipe here >> Mediterranean Feta Toast
Pan Con Tomate Recipe-Spanish Breakfast Toast
Pan Con Tomate Recipe is a traditional Spanish toast that is delicious! Crunchy toasted bread is rubbed with garlic, topped with ripe juicy tomato, and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil making the perfect snack!
Get the recipe here >> Pan Con Tomate Recipe-Spanish Breakfast Toast
Baked Eggs with Spinach and Feta
The perfectly balanced breakfast: An egg sunny side up over a bed of spinach lightly sautéed in olive oil and sprinkled with feta. This dish is so easy and filling, you won’t be hungry for hours
Get the recipe here >> Baked Eggs with Spinach and Feta
SOUPS
The Ultimate and Authentic Avgolemono Soup -Creamy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup-
Get my mother’s authentic recipe for this comforting and delicious Greek chicken-rice soup, avgolemono soup. Rice and chicken are enriched with the rich and creamy lemon-egg sauce.
Get the recipe here >> Authentic Avgolemono Soup -Creamy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup-
Hearty Greek Creamy Mushroom Soup
This hearty traditional Greek mushroom soup is packed with greens and flavored with a delicious lemon-tahini sauce.
Get the recipe here >> Hearty Greek Creamy Mushroom Soup
SALADS
Mediterranean Potato Salad with Herbs and Tomatoes
This Mediterranean potato salad with fresh herbs and tomatoes is refreshing and hearty. It pairs tender baby potatoes with fresh cherry tomatoes and finished with plenty of fresh herbs and a bit of extra virgin olive oil.
Get the recipe here >> Mediterranean Potato Salad with Herbs and Tomatoes
Classic Arugula-Parmesan Salad
This classic arugula parmesan salad is full of delicious ingredients that complement each other: spicy arugula pairs with nutty and salty parmesan and sweet sundried tomatoes. The salad is finished with a sprinkle of pine nuts and a balsamic-honey vinaigrette.
Get the recipe here >> Classic Arugula-Parmesan Salad
Mediterranean Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
This Mediterranean lentil and sweet potato salad will become a staple! Lentils paired with roasted sweet potatoes and topped with crunchy almonds and juicy mandarins.
Get the recipe here >> Mediterranean Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash Salad
Roasted caramelized brussels sprouts and butternut squash are served with a rich vinaigrette and crunchy olive oil croutons.
Get the recipe here >> Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash Salad
PASTA-GRAINS
The Ultimate Greek Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe-Makaronia me Kima
This Greek pasta dish is bursting with flavor: Classic Greek Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is made with luscious ground beef and tomato sauce, along with cheese-coated spaghetti.
Get the recipe here >> The Ultimate Greek Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Recipe-Makaronia me Kima
Warm Greek Orzo with Feta and Tomato
This delicious and comforting recipe is perfect! Creamy and silky warm orzo pasta cooked to perfection with tomato and topped with tangy feta.
Get the recipe here >> Warm Greek Orzo with Feta and Tomato
Creamy Baked Pasta with Butternut Squash Ricotta Sauce
The most comforting fall and winter pasta full of Mediterranean flavors: Butternut squash comes together with ricotta cheese to make a delicious creamy sauce in this delicious pasta dish.
Get the recipe here >> Creamy Baked Pasta with Butternut Squash Ricotta Sauce
Authentic Greek Lemon Rice-Rizi Lemonato
The authentic recipe for the famous Greek rice. Delicious to eat on its own or as a side. This Greek lemon rice is cooked with sauteed onion in olive oil, vegetable broth and finished with plenty of fresh lemon.
Get the recipe here >> Authentic Greek Lemon Rice-Rizi Lemonato
Want More Mediterranean Diet Guidance? Get my top-rated book!
Get it here >> The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners
BREADS
Best Homemade Pita Bread
Authentic, homemade pita bread. Enjoy your own soft, light, and delicious pita bread, warm straight out of the oven with this foolproof recipe.
Get the recipe here >> Best Homemade Pita Bread
Homemade Parmesan Garlic Knots
Delicious and fluffy garlic knots dipped in olive oil and parmesan for an extra savory flavor. With step by step instructions!
Get the recipe here >> Homemade Parmesan Garlic Knots
MEAT-POULTRY-FISH
Authentic Greek Roast Lamb
The ultimate Authentic Greek Roast Lamb step by step recipe: Succulent lamb roasted to perfection along with mouthwatering roasted potatoes.
Get the recipe here >> Authentic Greek Roast Lamb
Greek Chicken Cooked in Tomato-Kotopoulo Kokkinisto
A Classic Greek Favorite: Chicken stewed until tender in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce.
Get the recipe here >> Greek Chicken Cooked in Tomato-Kotopoulo Kokkinisto
Mediterranean Baked Sole with Greek Ladolemono Dressing
For this easy and delicious sheet pan fish recipe, sole fillets are baked with the flavorful Greek ladolemono dressing and herbs.
Get the recipe here >> Mediterranean Baked Sole with Greek Ladolemono Dressing
Mediterranean Garlic and Herb Crusted Roasted Sardines
Simply delicious roasted sardines with a garlic herb crust – you can practically eat them with your hands.
Get the recipe here >> Mediterranean Garlic and Herb Crusted Roasted Sardines
Desserts
Greek Custard Pie – Galatopita
A crustless flavorful and light custard pie. An easy to make to dessert.
Get the recipe here >> Greek Custard Pie – Galatopita
Authentic Italian Lemon and Ricotta Cookies
These traditional Italian ricotta and lemon cookies are fragrant with a delicate lemon flavor and a soft texture on the inside and do not contain butter or oil.
Get the recipe here >> Authentic Italian Lemon and Ricotta Cookies
Syrupy Walnut Phyllo Rolls – Baklava
If you love baklava, you can make this easy, vegan, healthier version at home. Walnuts wrapped in phyllo and drizzled with syrup is a perfect dessert any time of the day.
Get the recipe here >> Syrupy Walnut Phyllo Rolls – Baklava
TOP VEGGIE RECIPES
Authentic Greek Green Beans-Fasolakia Lathera
The original recipe for Greek green beans – smooth and velvety green beans with potatoes stewed in tomato, herbs and olive oil. They will melt in your mouth! Perfect as a main course or a side. And they are vegan and gluten free.
Get the recipe here >> Authentic Greek Green Beans-Fasolakia Lathera
Greek Spinach and Rice – Spanakorizo
Spanakorizo: A traditional Greek rice and spinach dish that will become a winter comfort food, thanks to its wonderful flavor and texture. Soft and creamy, served with plenty of lemon juice, a bit of olive oil and of course feta.
Get the recipe here >> Greek Spinach and Rice – Spanakorizo
You may also like these articles
Greek Green Beans-Fasolakia Lathera
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium pot, heat olive oil at medium to low heat. Sauté onion until soft.
- Add potatoes and heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Add beans and mix until covered with the olive oil.
- Add the tomatoes, parsley, sugar and salt and pepper and mix.
- Add hot water just enough to half cover the beans.
- Simmer with the lid on for about 40 minutes (do not boil).
- The beans are ready once there is no water left and the beans are soft.
- Enjoy with bread and feta cheese
Notes
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
- Accompany with bread and feta.
- Store i the refrigerator for up to 3 days.