Best Greek holiday meals
Setting a holiday table can be stressful, but also really great, especially when you see the happy, satisfied, and well-fed smiles of your friends and family. Here I have compiled some of my favourite Greek meals to serve during the holidays. You will find something for everyone, and for every budget.
Growing up in a Greek home my parents often entertained. Even when we lived in a small apartment, they would invite family and friends over and we would gather our food, often set out buffet style, and find a place to sit. The kids often lined the hallway, sitting on the floor, plates on our laps. The adults would be crammed into the living room, plates on their laps or small folding television tables. The food was plentiful, the mood joyful, and the memories are delicious.
I hope that you enjoy the recipes I have put together here for you. They can be served as the centrepiece to a sit down formal meal, or as part of a buffet table if you are entertaining that way. Here are a few tips to make your dinner party planning easy:
- Read the recipe carefully a few days before making it if possible. In some cases there are things you can do ahead of time, to make the day of your party easier.
- Invest in a meat thermometer. When roasting meats, this is the best way to make sure they are done to perfection.
- Don’t forget the starter and sides. If you are looking for inspiration, you can consult my posts on Best traditional Greek dips and spreads, and Best traditional Greek salads, and The best Greek soup recipes.
Roast lamb with potatoes
Greeks often serve lamb on special occasions. People often assume that lamb is a staple in Greek cooking, but it is usually reserved for holidays like Easter, Christmas and other celebratory days. It makes a beautiful alternative for a Thanksgiving meal too.
This is a really simple recipe for Greek roast lamb with potatoes. You will be surprised by just how easy it is to make this elegant meal which only requires a few ingredients. The result is the most tender and delicious lamb, and mouthwatering potatoes. This recipe is truly failproof.
When I serve this easy meal I usually pair it with a simple Greek maroulosalata (lettuce salad), some homemade tzatziki and bread (either homemade or store bought rolls). This is a wonderful meal that everyone will enjoy and be impressed by!
Veal roast with potatoes
This veal roast with potatoes is the type of meal that is really handy to have in your repertoire of great meals. Fancy, and plentiful enough to feed a crowd, a good roast will also make for great leftovers if you are cooking for only a few special people.
You may assume that the veal is the star of this meal, and although it is delicious, make no mistake, these potatoes deserve equal praise. They are cooked slowly, marinating in the juices from the veal roast, and this brings out their inherent sweetness. Cooked this way, they transform from humble spuds to a side dish that you will dream about for days after.
An additional benefit to this slow-cooked, no-fuss recipe, is that you can pop it into the oven, and while it roasts you can move on to other things, like making a showstopping dessert like Galaktoboureko or Saragli (also known as Baklava cigars).
Moussaka
A Greek classic! Although it can appear intimidating, I think you’ll discover that moussaka is actually quite easy to make. It always impresses family and friends, who may think it is complicated and requires great skill! In truth, it just requires time and perhaps some advance planning.
I make a light moussaka! What does this mean? First, I do not fry my eggplant, I broil it. That keeps the oil to a minimum. Also, there is no butter or cheese in my bechamel sauce; I make my bechamel with olive oil. It is absolutely perfect! Full of flavour and you will absolutely not miss the extra fat.
The great thing about making moussaka for a holiday table is that you can make many of the layers in advance. Then, the day of your gathering, you make the béchamel, assemble your moussaka, and bake. It really is a no-fuss way to entertain, Greek-style!
Rooster (Kokora) with pasta and tomato sauce
Growing up in my Greek home, this was always the meal that my parents made on New Year’s Day. Kokora (Rooster) with pasta and tomato sauce is the meal that they grew up eating on January 1st in their villages in Greece. It is very traditional in the Peloponnese region of the country.
I love this meal because it is rustic, homey, but different enough for those who have never had rooster before to feel special! Perfect for a New Year’s Day gathering, but honestly, for any special occasion.
Rooster has a gamey flavour, and it is larger than chicken which makes it great to feed a crowd. The other reason I love this kokora and pasta recipe is how easy it is to make. Not only is it simple, but there are so few ingredients. Once you find your rooster (most butchers will have them) the rest is easy! Here’s another tip, ask your butcher to cut your rooster up into serving pieces – this makes your job, even easier!
Easy roast turkey
If you have been intimidated to roast an entire turkey, don’t be! There are many delicious ways to prepare turkey, but honestly, this one might be the simplest. This easy roast turkey recipe is going to give you a perfect bird – moist, tender and delicious.
All you will need to prepare this simple showstopper of a meal is the turkey (of course), pomegranate molasses, some seasonings (I like herbs de Provence, sage and celery salt), a bit of olive oil and some heavy duty aluminum foil and parchment paper. A meat thermometer is also really handy! That’s it!
Making turkey is a great option when you are hosting a holiday party. Whether it is Thanksgiving, Christmas or any other large gathering, a turkey can feed a lot of people! You can get your turkey any size you need, and simply adjust the other ingredients and cooking time. It is that simple!
Herb baked cod with pasta and marinated artichokes
I love this recipe for Herb baked cod with pasta and marinated artichokes. I find that it is really elegant, and gorgeous to serve. Not only that, but serving fish for a holiday gathering is sometimes a nice alternative to some of the more expected meals.
This recipe is really quite simple to make. I like to use a good quality pasta as the base and tend to go for an egg-noodle for added richness and flavour. It is the holidays after all!
The fresh cod is baked with loads of fresh herbs and the pasta is tossed with marinated artichoke hearts, capers and other aromatics. Everything comes together beautifully and rather quickly. I just know that your guests will be impressed with this recipe for Herb baked cod with pasta and marinated artichokes.
Pastitsio
This is a classic Greek meal! I often make it when I have company over because one pan serves a lot of people, and everyone loves pastitsio! This baked pasta dish is full of delicious meat sauce and is topped with the most luxurious béchamel sauce.
My pastitsio recipe is lighter than what you might be used to. I make the béchamel the way my parents taught me to – with olive oil and not loaded with cheese. It is light, but utterly delicious. The meat sauce is pretty similar to the meat sauce that I use to make Greek makaronia me kima (spaghetti with meat sauce). It is so flavourful and easy to make.
I actually have posted two pastitsio recipes, for two different amounts of serving sizes. I thought that this would be helpful, based on how many people you will be feeding! If you have leftovers, don’t worry. pastitsio keeps well in the fridge for 3 – 4 days.
Prime rib roast
Prime rib roast is an expensive cut of meat. For this reason it is not something that most people (including me) serve very often, but when I do, I want a prime rib roast recipe that will not fail or disappoint! This recipe is all you need to make sure that this does not happen!
There are a few tips that I use to make sure that I end up with a phenomenal roast. The first is that I initially set my oven temperature pretty high, to make sure that I get a good outer crust. Then, I finish it at a lower temperature to prevent my meat from drying out and overcooking. Another option is to start it at a low temperature and then finish it in a pan to get an nice outer sear.
My prime rib roast is prepared simply with a dry rub. I don’t add salt to my dry rub though because I don’t want to draw out any of the moisture. Be sure that you have a meat thermometer! That is pretty non-negotiable for this prime rib roast recipe. You want to make sure that you cook it to the perfect doneness!
Gigantes plaki
Having a holiday meal option that is vegan is really important! Not everyone eats meat or dairy, and if you are Greek, many holidays fall during periods of lent. During this time many Greek abstain from eating meat, dairy and eggs. This recipe for Gigantes plaki is perfect for everyone, at any time. It is even gluten-free!
I love this meal. It is actually one of my favourite things to eat. I use large white runner beans to make this recipe, but if you cannot find these then giant lima beans can work too. I love how creamy the beans get after cooking, and how full of flavour this naturally vegan meal is.
Gigantes plaki is great served with a side salad and lots of bread. It is a bit saucy, so having bread to soak up the sauce is a must in my opinion! This is a meal that also keeps really well, so if time is going to be limited the day of your holiday gathering, you can make the gigantes the day ahead and just reheat them before serving!
Roast chicken with Greek lemon potatoes
If you think chicken can’t be fancy enough for a holiday table, I am here to argue with you (nicely of course). The truth is, everyone has a different budget, but everyone also deserves to be able to set a beautiful table with food their guests will love. You can make a simple roast chicken with Greek lemon potatoes celebratory! Use your nicest dishes, add a great green salad like a Maroulosalata or a Red cabbage salad with apple and you are good to go!
Actually, budget aside, regardless of your means you might be really happy making this recipe for the holidays. Everyone loves chicken (almost) and my recipe is truly incredible. I am not just saying that because this is the way that my parents taught me to make roast chicken with Greek lemon potatoes. I am saying it because this is what I have heard from people who have tried it in my home, and those of you who have made the recipe and sent a comment (love that by the way!)
Although the chicken may seem like the star of this meal, don’t think that the potatoes take second place. The potatoes are melt in your mouth delicious. Full of flavour and a texture which is beyond perfect. I like to add in a few carrots as well. They are sweet, caramelize nicely, and add a nice pop of colour to the meal.
Pork roast with Greek lemon potatoes
Yum! I love this meal of pork roast with Greek lemon potatoes! It is the perfect centrepiece to your holiday table. It is a simple meal made with boneless pork loin, potatoes, carrots and a few basic ingredients like lemon juice, garlic, oil, oregano, Montreal steak spice and salt and pepper. It is easy enough to make during the week, but also fancy enough to serve to company.
I really like to serve this meal because compared to other cuts of meat, pork loin is less expensive. Also, the vegetables cook up so nicely that you can be proud serving them to your guests. I like to add some gravy to this recipe, and honestly I just use store bought gravy because it is quite good, and easy! Add a salad, some feta on the side for a beautiful meal.
If you happen to have any pork loin leftover after making your Pork roast with Greek lemon potatoes, it makes a great filling for sandwiches. Simply slice it thinly and add some mustard and a bit of sauerkraut (these are my preferences) for a great lunch the next day.
Maple glazed smoked ham
This is a gorgeous recipe! I love to serve maple glazed smoked ham when it is holiday time. It is a particular favourite on Thanksgiving or Christmas. This recipe is actually from my husband, and is technically not Greek, but I could not resist adding it because it is so good! Having said that, pork is a meat that is most popular in Greece, particularly in the Peloponnese where our family is from.
This bone-in smoked ham is glazed with maple syrup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and dijon mustard. It is served with a homemade, fresh pineapple salsa which is a fun and modern twist to the canned pineapple rings you would often see garnishing the ham. I like to serve it with some peas as well, and perhaps some mashed potatoes. That is really a complete and gorgeous meal.
Leftover ham can be sliced and frozen. Then, defrost pieces as you need them to either serve as they are, to add to a sandwich, or to make this lovely Greek ham and cheese pie called zambonopita.
Pan-seared Filet Mignon with Herbed Butter Baste
Talk about a fancy meal! Filet mignon is often seen as the Rolls Royce of beef, and with good reason. Cooked properly it is absolutely luxurious. I think you will fall in love with this recipe for Pan-seared Filet Mignon with Herbed Butter Baste. It is easy, and will certainly impress your guests.
I love this recipe because it is accessible. Ordering filet mignon in a restaurant is pricey, and not something that everyone can do. The worst part is when you splurge, and your meal is just not as great as you would have hoped. Although buying filet mignon in the grocery store is still expensive, it is much cheaper than ordering it out and with this recipe you can be sure that it will be perfect!
Filet mignon in and of itself is actually not a very flavourful meat. It is so lean that you have to dress it up and cook it well for it to be delicious. That is exactly what I do here. I pan sear the meat to get the great outer crust and then finish it with an herb butter sauce that is basted over it. This recipe for Pan-seared Filet Mignon with Herbed Butter Baste is spot on!