2024 Great Lent Meal Plan

This 2024 Great Lent Meal Plan will be your go to resource when trying to decide what to eat during Great Lent. Between Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday) and Pascha (Orthodox Easter Sunday) you have options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks or desserts. In addition, the major holidays during this period are highlighted.

Great Lent this year starts with Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday) on March 18th and it ends with Pascha on May 5th. The seven weeks are meant to be observed in part by fasting from certain foods. This meal plan is a resource to anyone who struggles to decide what to eat and feed their family or who is just looking for a little guidance or inspiration.

Why this meal plan works

It is complete

Unlike some meal plans which focus only on one or two meals a day, this meal plan offers you suggestions for three meals a day, as well as snacks or desserts. This is for all seven days of the week, for seven weeks.

It is clear

Not all days during Great Lent have the same dietary restrictions. On certain days, all dairy, eggs, meat, oil and wine are restricted; those days are marked in red. On other days, oil and wine are permitted; those days are marked in purple. Finally, there are two days during Great Lent where fish is permitted; those days are marked in blue.

It is full of Lenten (Nistisima) recipes

During Great Lent, many people abstain from eating dairy, eggs and meat. On certain days even olive oil and wine are avoided. Although fish is generally not permitted, seafood is so eating recipes with calamari, shrimp, mussels and octopus for example are fine. The recipes which are included in this meal plan follow these restrictions, or can easily be adapted to follow these restrictions. For example, our traditional Fakes (Lentil soup) recipe uses olive oil; you can switch that to vegetable oil, or even saute your onion in a bit of water if you are avoiding oil all together.

It takes into account special holidays

During Great Lent there are two days on which fish is permitted, the Annunciation of the Theotokos and Palm Sunday. On these days, traditional recipes using salted cod are included (Cod and skordalia and Cod with eggplant and potatoes), along with other fish recipes like Fish Soup.

Recipes are easy to access

All of the meal suggestions which are underlined in the meal plan have a link to an actual recipe. All of the recipes come from the Mia Kouppa website, so you can be confident that they will be easy to follow, delicious and appropriate for the fast. All you have to do is click on the name of the recipe, and you will be taken right to the post.

It highlights special holidays

Although all days during Great Lent are special, there are a few days with special significance. In order to offer some information on the meaning of these days, there is a link to the information page about it on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website.

It is appropriate for everyone

Although this meal plan is designed to help those who are fasting for Great Lent, you certainly don’t have to be Orthodox, fasting, or Greek to use it. The recipes are mainly plant based (there are some seafood recipes here), healthy, and delicious. Anyone who wants some help planning meal times is welcome and encouraged to use this resource.

Helpful hints

Print a copy for reference or use the meal plan online

This meal plan is easiest to use online because you can directly link to the recipes you are interested in finding. Simple download the FREE meal plan to your computer and so long as you have internet access you can directly link to the recipes.

If you would rather print the meal plan, then all you have to do to find the recipes is visit the website at www.miakouppa.com and enter the name of the recipe in the Search Bar; it should pop up easily.

Plan for the week ahead

It is easiest to use this meal plan if you plan ahead for the week. So, for example, on the weekend, check out the recipes for the coming week to make sure you have all the ingredients, and to make any switches you would like. Also, some recipes may take a little planning (soaking beans, resting dough etc…) so you will need to be organized.

Use the meal plan as a guide

The 2024 Great Lent Meal Plan does not necessarily need to be used religiously (ha! did you see what I did there?). Feel free to swap out recipes, to make alternative choices, or to do anything that suits you and your family best. For example, if you want to have the Healthy brownie baked oatmeal for breakfast everyday because it is so delicious, then by all means, do so.

Popular Nistisima (Lenten) recipes

There is a lot of variety in this meal plan, and you will find these popular lenten recipes featured. It wouldn’t be lent without these amazing dishes:

Fried calamari Amazing recipe and perfect served with Horta (dandelion greens) and homemade French fries.

Taramosalata The classic Greek pink dip! This version is made with a base of potatoes. If you want something light and fluffy, check out this recipe for an Easy 4 ingredient taramosalata.

Fasolatha The traditional Greek bean soup. This version has a lemon flavoured base. If you prefer a tomato base, this recipe is one you will love: Fasolatha with tomato.

Thanks for sharing!