Greek Main Courses | Kalliopi's Kitchen

Greek cooking organises itself around the table rather than around courses in the French sense. Dishes arrive together, plates are shared, and the distinction between a starter and a main is often a matter of how much of it there is. The grouping below is a practical one for cooking from, not a rule anyone in Greece would recognise.

The dishes filed here include Mousakas, Souvlaki, Pastitsio, Gigantes plaki, Gyros and Gemista. Each one is written out in full, with the reasoning behind each step rather than just the sequence, because the difference between a good version and a poor one is almost always in the detail that recipes leave out.

Every recipe on Kalliopi's Kitchen carries the dish's Greek name and a pronunciation, its region where that is meaningful, ingredient quantities in both metric and imperial, and an honest note on what commonly goes wrong. Nutrition figures are calculated estimates and are labelled as such.

Greek Main Courses

103 recipes on the site so far.

A tray of Greek moussaka with a browned bechamel top, one square lifted out

MoussakaMousakas ΜουσακάςMain Courses · 1h 55m · serves 8

Charred pork souvlaki skewers on a wooden board with lemon wedges and oregano

Pork SouvlakiSouvlaki ΣουβλάκιMain Courses · 32m · serves 4

A slice of pastitsio showing distinct layers of pasta, meat sauce and golden bechamel

PastitsioPastitsio ΠαστίτσιοMain Courses · 1h 40m · serves 8

A dish of baked giant beans in a rich orange tomato sauce with parsley and olive oil

Baked Giant Beans in TomatoGigantes plaki Γίγαντες πλακίMain Courses · 2h 5m · serves 6

Thin strips of crisped pork gyros piled in a warm pita with tomato, onion and tzatziki

Pork GyrosGyros ΓύροςMain Courses · 2h · serves 6

A tray of baked stuffed tomatoes and peppers with browned tops and potato wedges between them

GemistaGemista ΓεμιστάMain Courses · 2h 10m · serves 6

A tray of collapsed roasted Greek vegetables, browned at the edges and glossy with olive oil

BriamBriam ΜπριάμMain Courses · 2h · serves 6

Thin slices of veal in a pale garlic and parsley sauce with rice alongside

Veal in Garlic and Vinegar SauceSofrito ΣοφρίτοMain Courses · 1h 35m · serves 4

Slow-cooked Greek lamb kleftiko falling off the bone with potatoes and lemon

KleftikoKleftiko ΚλέφτικοMain Courses · 4h 25m · serves 6

Prawns baked in tomato sauce with melting feta and parsley in a small pan

Prawns with Feta and TomatoGarides saganaki Γαρίδες σαγανάκιMain Courses · 37m · serves 4

A pot of Greek beef stifado with whole small onions in a dark cinnamon-spiced sauce

StifadoStifado ΣτιφάδοMain Courses · 3h · serves 6

Pork and Celery in Egg-Lemon SauceHirino me selino Χοιρινό με σέλινοMain Courses · 2h 5m · serves 6

Cypriot koupepia stuffed vine leaves arranged on a plate with lemon

Cypriot Stuffed Vine Leaves with MeatKoupepia ΚουπέπιαMain Courses · 1h 50m · serves 6

Grilled Cypriot sheftalia sausages wrapped in caul fat with charred edges

Cypriot Sausages in Caul FatSheftalia ΣεφταλιάMain Courses · 45m · serves 6

Cypriot afelia pork in a dark red wine and coriander seed sauce

Cypriot Pork in Red Wine and CorianderAfelia ΑφέλιαMain Courses · 1h 30m · serves 4

Cypriot Clay-Pot Lamb and RiceTavas ΤαβάςMain Courses · 2h 55m · serves 6

A tray of Cypriot baked macaroni with a golden halloumi topping

Cypriot Baked MacaroniMakaronia tou fournou Μακαρόνια του φούρνουMain Courses · 1h 35m · serves 8

A pot of Greek spanakorizo spinach and rice, deep green and glossy

SpanakorizoSpanakorizo ΣπανακόρυζοMain Courses · 45m · serves 4

A pot of Greek prasorizo leek and rice, pale and glossy with olive oil

Leek and RicePrasorizo ΠρασόρυζοMain Courses · 50m · serves 4

Fried Greek salt cod fillets served with a bowl of garlic potato skordalia

Fried Salt Cod with Garlic DipBakaliaros skordalia Μπακαλιάρος σκορδαλιάMain Courses · 50m · serves 4

Charred Greek paidakia lamb chops on a grill with lemon and oregano

PaidakiaPaidakia ΠαϊδάκιαMain Courses · 25m · serves 4

A Greek bifteki patty cut open showing melted feta inside

BiftekiBifteki ΜπιφτέκιMain Courses · 40m · serves 4

A tray of Greek lemon chicken and potatoes roasted golden

Lemon Roast Chicken and PotatoesKotopoulo lemonato Κοτόπουλο λεμονάτοMain Courses · 1h 35m · serves 4

Kontosouvli pork chunks slow-turning on a spit over charcoal

Spit-Roasted PorkKontosouvli ΚοντοσούβλιMain Courses · 3h 30m · serves 6

A plate of Corfu pastitsada, beef in spiced tomato sauce over pasta

Corfu Beef and Pasta in Spiced Tomato SaucePastitsada ΠαστιτσάδαMain Courses · 3h · serves 6

Greek giouvetsi baked beef and orzo in a clay dish

GiouvetsiGiouvetsi ΓιουβέτσιMain Courses · 2h 55m · serves 6

Sifnos Sunday Chickpea BakeRevithada ΡεβιθάδαMain Courses · 8h 15m · serves 6

Cretan Wedding PilafGamopilafo ΓαμοπίλαφοMain Courses · 2h 20m · serves 8

Cretan antikristo lamb propped facing an open fire on skewers

Cretan Spit-Roasted Lamb Facing the FireAntikristo ΑντικριστόMain Courses · 4h 30m · serves 8

Corfu bourdeto fish stew in a bright red paprika sauce

Corfu Spicy Fish StewBourdeto ΜπουρδέτοMain Courses · 55m · serves 4

Thessaloniki giaourtlou kebab with tomato sauce and garlic yogurt

Thessaloniki Kebab with Yogurt and TomatoGiaourtlou ΓιαουρτλούMain Courses · 45m · serves 4

Northern Greek kavourmas preserved pork in a jar under its own fat

Northern Greek Preserved Confit PorkKavourmas ΚαβουρμάςMain Courses · 2h 50m · serves 8

Mani syglino cured and smoked pork with orange peel and fennel

Mani Cured and Smoked PorkSyglino Maniatiko Σύγκλινο ΜανιάτικοMain Courses · 2h · serves 8

Greek hylopites egg pasta with chicken in tomato sauce

Peloponnese Egg Pasta with ChickenHylopites ΧυλοπίτεςMain Courses · 2h · serves 6

Rhodes Lettuce-Wrapped Rice RollsDolmades me marouli Ντολμάδες με μαρούλιMain Courses · 1h 25m · serves 6

A pot of Dodecanese sitaraki pasta in tomato sauce

Dodecanese Orzo-Style Pasta with TomatoSitaraki ΣιταράκιMain Courses · 35m · serves 4

Greek soutzoukakia oval meatballs in a rich tomato sauce

Smyrna-Style Cumin Meatballs in Tomato SauceSoutzoukakia ΣουτζουκάκιαMain Courses · 1h 10m · serves 6

Sifnos Lamb Baked in Wine and DillMastelo Sifnou Μαστέλο ΣίφνουMain Courses · 2h 50m · serves 6

Cycladic Octopus Braised in WineHtapodi krasato Χταπόδι κρασάτοMain Courses · 1h 35m · serves 4

Karpathos makarounes pasta with caramelised onion and cheese

Makarounes KarpathouMakarounes Karpathou Μακαρούνες ΚαρπάθουMain Courses · 1h 30m · serves 6

Zakynthos Garlic and Tomato Bread BakeSkordostoumbi Zakynthou Σκορδόστουμπι ΖακύνθουMain Courses · 55m · serves 4

Greek papoutsakia stuffed aubergine boats topped with golden bechamel

Stuffed Aubergine "Little Shoes"Papoutsakia ΠαπουτσάκιαMain Courses · 1h 30m · serves 6

Greek melitzanes imam baked aubergine with onion and tomato

Aubergine Baked with Onion and TomatoMelitzanes imam Μελιτζάνες ιμάμMain Courses · 1h 20m · serves 4

Greek melitzanes me feta baked aubergine with tomato and melted feta

Baked Aubergine with Feta and TomatoMelitzanes me feta Μελιτζάνες με φέταMain Courses · 1h 5m · serves 4

Grilled Greek sardines dressed in ladolemono olive oil and lemon

Grilled Sardines with Lemon OilSardeles ladolemono Σαρδέλες λαδολέμονοMain Courses · 25m · serves 4

Baked Fish with VegetablesPsari plaki Ψάρι πλακίMain Courses · 1h 15m · serves 4

Lamb and Lettuce in AvgolemonoArni fricassee Αρνί φρικασέMain Courses · 2h · serves 6

Lamb with Artichokes in AvgolemonoArni me anginares Αρνί με αγκινάρεςMain Courses · 2h 10m · serves 6

A pot of Greek fakorizo lentils and rice

Lentils and RiceFakorizo ΦακόρυζοMain Courses · 50m · serves 4

Grilled yogurt-marinated chicken souvlaki skewers with charred edges

Yogurt-Marinated Chicken SouvlakiSouvlaki kotopoulo me giaourti Σουβλάκι κοτόπουλο με γιαούρτιMain Courses · 37m · serves 4

Greek anginares a la polita braised artichokes with potato and carrot

Constantinople-Style Braised ArtichokesAnginares ala polita Αγκινάρες αλά πολίταMain Courses · 1h 20m · serves 4

Pontic Greek manti dumplings served under garlic yogurt sauce

Pontic Greek Dumplings in Yogurt and GarlicManti pontiako Μαντί ποντιακόMain Courses · 1h 50m · serves 6

Northern Greek Cod with LeeksBakaliaros me prasa Μπακαλιάρος με πράσαMain Courses · 1h 15m · serves 4

Kalymnos Baked Lamb and PotatoesFournisto Kalymnou Φουρνιστό ΚαλύμνουMain Courses · 3h · serves 8

Corfu bianco, a pale white fish stew with potato and garlic

Corfu White Fish StewBianco ΜπιάνκοMain Courses · 55m · serves 4

Fried aubergine slices topped with garlic yogurt and paprika butter

Aubergine in Yogurt SauceMelitzanes se saltsa giaourtiou Μελιτζάνες σε σάλτσα γιαουρτιούMain Courses · 55m · serves 4

Vegan Greek melitzanes gemistes stuffed aubergine halves

Vegan Stuffed Aubergine with RiceMelitzanes gemistes Μελιτζάνες γεμιστέςMain Courses · 1h 40m · serves 6

A pot of Greek arni kokkinisto lamb braised in red tomato sauce

Lamb Braised in TomatoArni kokkinisto Αρνί κοκκινιστόMain Courses · 2h 5m · serves 6

Grilled Aubergine SkewersSouvlaki melitzanas Σουβλάκι μελιτζάναςMain Courses · 37m · serves 4

A pot of Greek melitzanes yahni aubergine and tomato stew

Chunky Aubergine and Tomato StewMelitzanes yahni Μελιτζάνες γιαχνίMain Courses · 1h 10m · serves 4

Sifnos Baked Chickpea PieRevithopita Sifnou Ρεβιθόπιτα ΣίφνουMain Courses · 1h 20m · serves 6

Greek lamb souvla turning slowly on a spit over charcoal

Lamb SouvlaSouvla arni Σούβλα αρνίMain Courses · 4h 30m · serves 10

A whole roasted Greek arnaki lemonato lamb leg with lemon and herbs

Roast Lamb Leg with LemonArnaki lemonato Αρνάκι λεμονάτοMain Courses · 3h 40m · serves 6

Cuttlefish Braised in WineSoupies krasates Σουπιές κρασάτεςMain Courses · 1h 25m · serves 4

Golden fried Greek barbouni red mullet with lemon

Fried Red MulletBarbouni tiganito Μπαρμπούνι τηγανητόMain Courses · 25m · serves 4

Macedonian giaprakia stuffed cabbage rolls with avgolemono sauce

Macedonian Stuffed Cabbage LeavesGiaprakia Thessalonikis Γιαπράκια ΘεσσαλονίκηςMain Courses · 2h · serves 6

A slice of Kalymnos sfougato courgette and herb frittata

Kalymnos Courgette and Herb FrittataSfougato Kalymnou Σφουγγάτο ΚαλύμνουMain Courses · 1h · serves 6

Sliced Cretan apaki smoked pork, pan-fried and served with lemon

Cretan Smoked Marinated PorkApaki Kritis Απάκι ΚρήτηςMain Courses · 40m · serves 8

A whole roasted Greek galopoula turkey stuffed with chestnut rice filling

Turkey Stuffed with ChestnutsGalopoula gemisti me kastana Γαλοπούλα γεμιστή με κάσταναMain Courses · 5h · serves 12

Cretan Rabbit Stew with OnionsKouneli stifado Κουνέλι στιφάδοMain Courses · 2h · serves 6

Fried Greek galeos dogfish with skordalia garlic potato dip

Fried Dogfish with Garlic Potato DipGaleos skordalia Γαλέος σκορδαλιάMain Courses · 40m · serves 4

Greek kokoretsi lamb offal wrapped and grilled on a spit

KokoretsiKokoretsi ΚοκορέτσιMain Courses · 3h 30m · serves 8

Lamb and Cheese Baked in ParcelsExohiko ΕξοχικόMain Courses · 1h 40m · serves 4

Greek astakomakaronada lobster pasta in rich tomato sauce

Lobster with PastaAstakomakaronada ΑστακομακαρονάδαMain Courses · 1h 15m · serves 4

Aubergine-wrapped Greek dolmades in tomato sauce

Aubergine-Wrapped Rice RollsDolmades me melitzana Ντολμάδες με μελιτζάναMain Courses · 1h 30m · serves 6

Fried BogueGopes tiganites Γόπες τηγανητέςMain Courses · 30m · serves 4

A roasted whole leg of Greek katsikaki goat with lemon and herbs

Roast Goat with LemonKatsikaki lemonato Κατσικάκι λεμονάτοMain Courses · 3h 40m · serves 6

Greek loukaniko sausage braised in red wine sauce

Sausage Braised in WineLoukaniko krasato Λουκάνικο κρασάτοMain Courses · 50m · serves 4

A pot of Greek moschari kokkinisto beef braised in red tomato sauce

Beef Braised in TomatoMoschari kokkinisto Μοσχάρι κοκκινιστόMain Courses · 2h 35m · serves 6

A dish of Greek kotopoulo giouvetsi chicken and orzo in tomato sauce

Baked Chicken with OrzoKotopoulo giouvetsi Κοτόπουλο γιουβέτσιMain Courses · 1h 20m · serves 4

Kokoras PastitsadaKokoras pastitsada Κόκορας παστιτσάδαMain Courses · 3h · serves 6

Cypriot Taro with ChickenKolokasi me kotopoulo Κολοκάσι με κοτόπουλοMain Courses · 1h 30m · serves 4

Pitaridia KalymnouPitaridia Kalymnou Πιταρίδια ΚαλύμνουMain Courses · 1h 15m · serves 4

Lamb in Cinnamon-Clove SauceArnisio kapama Αρνίσιο καπαμάMain Courses · 2h 25m · serves 6

A pot of Pontic Greek keskek wheat and meat porridge

Pontic Greek Wheat and Meat PorridgeKeskek ΚεσκέκMain Courses · 4h 30m · serves 8

Epirus Chicken with Leeks and RiceBourani me kotopoulo Μπουράνι με κοτόπουλοMain Courses · 1h 15m · serves 4

A pan of Greek spetzofai sausage and pepper stew

Sausage and Pepper StewSpetzofai ΣπετζοφάιMain Courses · 50m · serves 4

A plate of Greek makaronia me mizithra pasta with fresh cheese

Pasta with Fresh Mizithra CheeseMakaronia me mizithra Μακαρόνια με μυζήθραMain Courses · 20m · serves 4

Baked Salt Cod in Tomato SauceBakaliaros plaki Μπακαλιάρος πλακίMain Courses · 1h 10m · serves 4

A whole baked Greek tsipoura sea bream with lemon and herbs

Whole Baked Sea BreamTsipoura psiti Τσιπούρα ψητήMain Courses · 40m · serves 2

Grilled Swordfish SkewersXifias souvlaki Ξιφίας σουβλάκιMain Courses · 40m · serves 4

A dish of Greek kalamari gemisto stuffed squid in tomato sauce

Stuffed Whole SquidKalamari gemisto Καλαμάρι γεμιστόMain Courses · 1h 20m · serves 4

Octopus with Small PastaHtapodi makaronaki Χταπόδι μακαρονάκιMain Courses · 1h 35m · serves 4

A bowl of Cypriot ravioles halloumi ravioli served in chicken broth

Cypriot Halloumi and Mint RavioliRavioles ΡαβιόλεςMain Courses · 1h 20m · serves 6

Cypriot Wedding Wheat and LambResi ΡέσιMain Courses · 2h 50m · serves 8

A pot of Cypriot molehiya, jute mallow leaves stewed with chicken and lemon

Cypriot Jute Mallow StewMolehiya ΜολόχαMain Courses · 1h 20m · serves 4

Argolida Slow-Baked Lamb with PotatoesBogana ΜπογάναMain Courses · 3h 55m · serves 6

Maniot Pasta with Mizithra and EggTsouchti ΤσουχτήMain Courses · 30m · serves 4

Astypalaia Easter Stuffed LambLambriano ΛαμπριανόMain Courses · 3h 45m · serves 8

Hunkiar begienti, lamb in tomato sauce over smoked aubergine puree

Lamb on Smoked Aubergine PureeHounkiar begienti Χουνκιάρ μπεγιεντίMain Courses · 2h 20m · serves 6

Greek tas kebap, spiced beef stew in a thin sauce served over rice

Politiko Spiced Beef StewTas kebap Τας κεμπάπMain Courses · 2h 20m · serves 6

A plate of Cypriot moutzentra, lentils and rice topped with caramelised onions

Cypriot Lentils and Rice with OnionsMoutzentra ΜουτζέντραMain Courses · 1h 5m · serves 5

Chicken SouvlaSouvla kotopoulo Σούβλα κοτόπουλοMain Courses · 1h 55m · serves 6

Browse other courses

Greek Meze and Appetisers Greek Salads Greek Soups Greek Side Dishes Greek Breads and Pies Greek Desserts Greek Breakfast Recipes Greek Dips and Sauces Greek Drinks