Vegan Greek Food

If you thought Greeks live on gyro and souvlaki , think again! Greek cuisine is packed with delicious veggies (and not just during lent) In fact, many traditional Greek recipes are naturally plant-based or can be easily modified. If you're looking for vegan Greek delights to add to your life - keep reading!

Vegan Greek Salads & Dips

Hummus - a rich and garlicky vegan dip made from a blend of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and of course garlic. Perfect compliment to any salad or even enjoyed on its own with some warm Greek pita bread.

Chickpea Salad - Chickpeas also lend themselves to stews and salads. At Greek From Greece we mix them with Roasted red peppers, Red onion, Tomato With fresh parsley, extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Absolutely satisfying, chickpeas are a superfood that's a must in any vegan meal plan.

Tahini - this Greek dip is super creamy and richly flavored. It's made of hulled sesame seeds, oil and sometimes salt. A perfect vegan dip to enjoy as an appetizer or as a snack.

Melitzanosalata - a roasted eggplant dip mixed with garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Its characteristic smoky taste will enrich and deepen the flavor of any dish.

Read more >> 7 must-try Greek dips

Looking for a vegan alternative to the Greek salad and tzatziki? Well, nowadays, transforming traditional Greek dips and salads into vegan delights is a breeze! 

Greek Salad (Horiatiki) - A classic Greek salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, onions and sometimes bell peppers. Simply exclude the feta cheese or replace it with a plant-based feta cheese or any other vegan cheese to make it vegan.

Want your Greek Salad vegan? At Greek From Greece we make it simple.

You can Order online and select : Make it vegan - No feta! Or you can just build your own salad bowl!

Tzatziki: Tzatziki originally contains yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs. However, you can easily replace the regular yogurt with a vegan yogurt, and you got yourself a vegan tzatziki dip!

You can enjoy your dips or your salads with some Greek Pita bread on the side for a more fulfilling experience!

You can experience the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with some freshly prepared Greek Dips at Greek From Greece right here in Manhattan. Not in NYC? You can visit our e-shop , select your favorites, and place your order today!

Legumes in Greek cuisine

Legumes are a pretty big part of Greek cuisine. They are usually served on meat-free days in Greece, most often as part of stews, ladera and bakes. Here are some of the most popular legume based dishes in Greece.

Fasolada: A traditional Greek bean soup/stew made with tomatoes, olive oil, and vegetables. Ensure it's made without any meat or meat-based broth.

Fasolakia Yiahni (Green beans stew): This is a dish that consists of fresh green beans, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, garlic and olive oil. You can also add veggies like carrots, onions and potatoes for variety in the meal. 

Peas: Another known vegan dish in Greece is "Arakas Latheros" where peas are cooked in a flavorful tomato and olive oil sauce with veggies. Peas also make a great addition to salads and various veggie stews.

Lentils: Lentil soup is an excellent source of plant-based protein and iron. This simple dish is a nutritional bomb and makes for a filling meal. If you're not a fan of soups there's lots of ways to enjoy lentils. For example, lentil moussaka is a tasty vegan version of the classic moussaka, made with layers of lentils, eggplant, and a plant-based béchamel sauce.

Black eyed beans: Black eyed peas/beans, also known as "Louvi", are usually cooked with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Packed with nutrients, unobtrusive gentle flavor and creamy consistency makes it a perfect meal or side. They are a bit easier to digest than beans (are they really peas?!), make for a good side dish and a great addition to salads too. However, in Greece we love them as they are :  plain-boiled, perhaps with some chard, and just a drizzle of olive oil and lemon on top! 

More Greek vegan flavors

Ladera (Greek λαδερά) meaning "oily" - this is a category of Greek dishes that are essentially vegetable stews cooked with olive oil, tomatoes, and various herbs. They can be served on their own or with potatoes, rice, bulgur or pasta. They are eaten both, as a main dish or served alongside fish or meat dishes. Any vegetable can be made into ladera but we are especially fond of  stewing up green beans, gigantes (giant beans) okra, peas and other veggies and legumes this way.

Gemista - stuffed vegetables are very popular across the Mediterranean (and Balkans too). The vegetable can be a pepper, zucchini, tomato or onion. These can be stuffed with vegan stuffing of your choice - typically you'll find them stiffed with rice and grated veggies, with or without some nuts, raisins etc. 

Dolmades: Grapevine leaves stuffed with rice, pine nuts, and herbs. They are often served with a squeeze of lemon.

Build your own vegan bowl or wrap at Greek From Greece

Mediterranean Bowls: At Greek From Greece, you can build your own Mediterranean bowl or wrap We have a variety of vegan ingredients to choose from, like grains, veggies, vegetable based proteins, and dips. Just pick what you like and build your lunch or dinner bowl your way! 

>> Learn more about the Mediterranean bowls and why we are crazy about them.

Vegan Greek Sweets and Desserts

Loukoumades: Vegan-friendly doughnuts often drizzled with syrup or sprinkled with cinnamon and chopped nuts. Easy to make and so satisfying. You can buy the ready mix via our e-shop here

Tahinopita: This is a vegan-friendly Greek cake made with tahini, sugar, and flour. It has a dense and moist texture and is often flavored with cinnamon or orange zest.

Diples: These are thin sheets of dough that are fried until crispy and then drizzled with honey or agave syrup. They are often sprinkled with chopped nuts.

As you can see, despite the Greek love of meat, you can find an unexpected array of vegan options waiting to be savored. From vibrant salads to desserts and many other dishes, plant-based delights abound. Plus, with a few easy substitutions, traditional dishes can easily be made vegan-friendly. Whether you're a committed vegan or simply looking to add more greens to your diet, Greek cuisine offers something delicious for everyone to enjoy!