These are the best Greek eggplant recipes of all time. From classic moussaka to a modern take on imam bayildi, these recipes are sure to please.
Plus look for our tips to help you cook eggplant in Greek recipes!
Whether eggplant is exploding in your garden or you’ve found a couple on sale, we have a list here of eggplant dishes with a Greek flair we think you’ll love.
The Greeks are known for their simple, fresh, and savory cuisine.
Some of their most popular dishes are Moussaka, Souvlaki, and Greek salad.
The eggplant, or melitzanes in Greek, is versatile and flavorful, making it a staple ingredient of the Mediterranean diet.
And you may have heard that eggplant is a high maintenance vegetable with the weighting and salting and all that, but you don’t HAVE to do that.
It just helps remove a lot of the moisture than can contribute to a watery dish.
As a key ingredient in Greek cuisine, eggplant is used in stews, salads, and dips.
By adding other vegetables, herbs, and cheese, you can make these dishes savory and delicious.
It can be used in different dishes, from appetizers and side dishes to main courses.
Here are 7 tips for cooking eggplant in Greek recipes:
- Choose the right eggplant. When choosing an eggplant for Greek cooking, look for one that is firm and has a deep purple color. Avoid eggplants that are soft or have blemishes.
- Peel the eggplant. Some people prefer to peel the eggplant before cooking it. This will help to remove any bitterness from the eggplant.
- Salt the eggplant. Salting the eggplant before cooking it will help to draw out any excess moisture. This will result in a more flavorful and crispy eggplant.
- Cook the eggplant evenly. It is important to cook the eggplant evenly so that it is not mushy or burnt. To do this, cook the eggplant in a single layer in a hot pan.
- Use a variety of cooking methods. Eggplant can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, baking, and frying. Each method will produce a slightly different flavor and texture.
- Add your favorite flavors. Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can be paired with a variety of flavors. Try adding herbs, spices, or sauces to your eggplant to create a unique dish. I love Cavender’s Greek seasoning blend, but there are so many to try.
- Get creative. Eggplant can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to main courses. Try using eggplant in your next salad, pasta dish, or give pizza a Greek flair! Substitute eggplant slices for pasta or noodles in tons of meals.
Try the classic and well-loved Greek Moussaka and Papotsakia, the creamy bechamel sauce will make you crave more.
The Eggplant Fritters and the Greek Crispy Eggplant are a sure treat for the kids and kids-at-heart.
The Greek Stuffed Vegetables With Rice (Gemista) and Eggplant And Potato Stew make a warming and filling meal perfect for the whole family.
If you want something flavorful and aromatic, try #11 and notice how good your kitchen smells while cooking.
Here are some crowd-pleasing Greek eggplant recipes that you add to your weekly rotation or just pull out for special occasions!
Delicious Greek Eggplant Recipes
Here’s Greek dinner that’s ready in 20 minutes.
Make these fantastic Greek Tostadas with eggplant and sun-dried tomato, chickpeas, garlic, and spices, and top with cucumber, tomato, red onion, and creamy feta cheese.
The recipe can be easily adjusted to make a double batch for your sandwiches and salads.
Ingredients include: Eggplant, whole wheat pitas, canned chickpeas, dried thyme, and cherry tomatoes.
Delicious, tender, and loaded with flavor, this dish is ideal for anyone looking for a plant-based meal.
It’s made with dry Bulgur or couscous, onions, bell peppers, black olives, thyme, Greek spice mix, sea salt, and feta cheese.
It is a great way to enjoy traditional Greek cuisine.
Ingredients include: Couscous, eggplant, red onion, red bell pepper, and feta cheese.
Gemista is a traditional Greek vegetable stuffed with rice.
The vegetables are hollowed out and then stuffed with a filling made with rice or ground meat and baked in the oven until tender with a tomato-based sauce.
Key ingredients include tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, herbs, spices, and feta.
Feel free to use other kinds of stuffing with different types of herbs and spices.
There is no limit to this fantastic dish.
It is best served with a generous amount of feta cheese.
Ingredients include: Tomatoes, eggplant, ketchup, onion, and parsley.
If you love Greek dishes, try this braised eggplant recipe and see how it makes any meal cozier.
EVOO used to be the hallmark of Greek food, but it’s become a staple in culinary uses of all kinds.
This recipe uses plenty of it.
Remember always to salt the Greek eggplant before you prepare the dish to allow it to sweat and draw out moisture from the eggplant.
Ingredients include: Eggplant, chickpeas, canned tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and chopped veggies.
Layers of savory egg custard, sauce and eggplant come together in a flavorful “lasagna.”
This is a traditional Greek food that many consider a national dish and is a classic comfort food.
It has been around for generations, and it is easy to see why.
Delicious, always a hit, and can be made ahead of time.
The ground beef sauce is topped off with an additional creamy sauce.
Ingredients include: Butter, all-purpose flour, whole milk, ground beef, and parmesan cheese.
This one is a sure hit for the kids!
Quick and effortless to make, this is an excellent way for kids to eat vegetables.
Eggplant fritters can be enjoyed as a snack, an appetizer, or a side dish.
These tasty eggplant fritters are made with grated eggplant, garlic, basil, tomatoes, and scallions.
With this recipe, you can make a delicious and nutritious snack for the whole family.
Ingredients include: Eggplant, garlic cloves, all-purpose flour, scallions, and black pepper.
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Do you want to have a light meal ahead of a hearty lunch or dinner?
Try this traditional Greek eggplant appetizer that serves as a salad starter or a dip for warm pita or naan.
This eggplant dip is a perfect addition to grilled food such as meats, burgers, fish, shrimp, and other seafood.
Ingredients include: eggplant, onion, garlic, parsley, and olive oil.
You can serve this Greek Crispy Eggplant as finger food, an appetizer, or a side dish when having drinks or a barbecue with friends.
The secret to less greasy, crispy fried eggplant is to season the exposed part with salt and set it aside for around 30 minutes until the moisture comes out.
Rinse the eggplant slices with cold water to remove the salt.
Enjoy this Greek Crispy Eggplant as is or with yogurt dip, salsa, or Greek salad.
Ingredients include: Eggplant, dried oregano, beer, flour, black pepper, and salt.
If you’re in a rush, this one-pot stew will save you and will only take less than an hour to do so.
If the aroma alone doesn’t satisfy you, the flavor surely will.
It makes anyone’s day brighter when served because of how comforting the dish is, and reminds them of home.
Serve with some bread on the side for dinner.
Ingredients include: Tamari or soy sauce, Italian seasoning, diced carrots, cold water or vegetable broth, and diced potatoes.
Surprise your family and friends with this traditional Greek dish, which means “little shoes.”
It was named as such because of its shape.
Who could say no to the creamy goodness of baked eggplant stuffed with meat sauce and topped with bechamel sauce, then baked again to perfection?
A huge plus about this dish is that you can make variations.
Do you want it meatless?
Substitute meat with sauteed mushrooms, sweet potatoes, lentils, or other vegetables of your choice.
You can skip the bechamel sauce and just add more cheese, and it will still be as flavorful.
Ingredients include: eggplant, ground beef, tomato puree, parmesan cheese, and butter.
If you’re a garlic lover, this one is made just for you.
Skordostoumbi literally means “stuffed with garlic.”
This classic dish comes from the Greek island of Zakynthos.
While other places in Greece use the meat for Skordostoumbi, Zakynthos or Zante locals use eggplant.
This dish uses vinegar, which elevates those sour notes.
Ingredients include: eggplant, olive oil, tomatoes, vinegar, and garlic.
The quaint name means “the priest fainted”—lore that heralds back to a recipe that delighted the eater so much, he passed right out!
Packed with tomatoes, caramelized onions, and lots of fresh parsley, here the eggplant is stuffed instead of being part of the stuffing.
These clever packets of stuffed eggplant make nice plating presentations, too, so add these alongside almost any salad, appetizer or main.
Even better (if not best!) eaten the next day.
(Note to purists: Is it Greek, is it Turkish? All we know is that this dish is as old as the Ottoman Empire, and we’re willing to give both deserving credit.)
The bottom line
These Greek eggplant recipes prove that incorporating rich vegetables is not so hard after all.
From classic and traditional dishes to the modern and simple ones.
Take advantage of the versatility and availability of eggplant and create mouth-watering dishes for your family and guests to enjoy.
Kalí óreksi!
More About Eggplant
- How To Tell If An Eggplant Is Bad
- What To Serve With Eggplant Parmesan
- Eggplant Recipes
- What Does Eggplant Taste Like?
- How To Saute Eggplant
12 Delicious Greek Eggplant Recipes
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Ingredients
- Greek Tostadas With Eggplant
- Greek Style Stuffed Eggplant Rolls
- Greek Stuffed Vegetable With Rice Gemista
- Easy Greek-Style Eggplant Recipe Braised Eggplant
- Greek Eggplant Moussaka
- Eggplant Fritters
- Traditional Greek Eggplant Dip Melitzanosalata
- Greek Crispy Eggplant
- Eggplant Potato Stew
- Papoutsakia Greek Stuffed Eggplant
- Zakynthos Garlicky Eggplant Skordostoumbi
- Vegan Stuffed Aubergines Imam Bayildi
Instructions
- Skim through our Greek Eggplant Recipes list.
- Select the recipe that looks good.
- Prep the ingredients as instructed.
- Be sure to share this list of foodie finds!
