Tyrini or Cheesefare Week Meal Plan 2026
This year, Monday February 16th marks the beginning of Tyrini Week. The final week of Carnivale in Greece, this week is all about dairy, eggs and fish! This last week before Great Lent is one which helps us clear our refrigerators of cheese and milk and yogourt and eggs as we journey towards Pascha.
My favourite time of year is approaching. Orthodox Easter, and the weeks leading up to it, are so special and full of meaning. I love putting together meal plans for Great Lent and the weeks preceding it, and I especially love how much you all (or many of you!) seem to appreciate them! This meal plan, for just one week, is one of my favourites because it focuses so much on dairy (which I love), eggs (which I adore) and fish (which is so great!). Here you will find, for FREE of course, all the great, Tyrini Week appropriate recipes you can try this week. Enjoy!
Download your FREE 2026 Tyrini or Cheesefare Week Meal Plan
As always, this meal plan is FREE to download and can be used directly from your computer (ideal because you can click the links to access the recipes) or you can print it out and then find the recipes on the website by using the Search function.
Helpful hints
How to use this meal plan
This meal plan, like all of my meal plans, are meant to be used as guide. Sure, you can follow this meal plan exactly (and I would actually love it if you did!), but it is not necessary. You can switch things around, or even eliminate ideas all together. Have fun with it, and eat what you love!
Printed is handy, Online use is helpful
I know that many of you print out the meal plans and take them with you shopping or keep them posted on the refrigerator. That is great! However, if you visualize the meal plan on your computer, tablet or phone, then you will be able to easily click the name of the recipe you are interested in making and you will be taken straight to the recipe post. My recommendation? Print out a copy and keep a downloaded copy handy on your electronic devices.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tyrini Week?
Tyrini Week is the last week of Apokreas or Carnivale in Greece before the start of Great Lent, which begins on Kathara Deftera (Clean or Ash Monday). During Tyrini or Cheesefare week, all food except for red meat and chicken are permitted. There is however a special emphasis on dairy and cheese. Just as Meatfare week, which comes right before Tyrini Week helps use up any meat you have in your fridge or freezer, Tyrini week encourages you to enjoy all the cheese and eggs you can before the start of Great Lent.
What foods do people eat during Tyrini Week?
During Cheesefare or Tyrini Week, people focus on eating dairy, eggs and fish. Because this is not a strict fasting week, essentially anything that is not meat or chicken is permitted.
How can I access the recipes in the Meal Plan?
Easily! Any time you see a recipe that is underlined (and this is the vast majority of them), simply click on the name and you will be taken directly to the recipe post. This works if you are using the meal plan online of course. If you have downloaded and printed your copy, no worries. Go to the Home Page of Mia Kouppa and enter the name of the recipe in the Search bar. What you are looking for will pop up!
Who is this meal plan made for?
Anyone who likes to eat and who wonders what to cook and serve day after day is going to love this meal plan (and all our meal plans actually!). Definitely, Orthodox Christians who will be fasting for Great Lent will find this meal plan for Cheesefare Week particularly helpful, but anyone can use this meal plan for guidance, inspiration and a clear plan on what to eat for 7 days, 3 meals a day plus snacks!
Find more recipes for Great Lent
Did you know that there are two Mia Kouppa e-books available for a nominal purchase? Yes! They are inexpensive and absolutely perfect for Great Lent because they focus on plant based recipes. If you click on the photos you will be taken to the page to purchase these wonderful e-books.
Download your FREE 2026 Cheesefare or Tyrini Week Meal Plan
Related recipes
There are so many amazing recipes to choose from which highlight cheese, milk, yogourt, eggs and fish. One week is really not enough to showcase everything that Mia Kouppa has to offer. So, to help with that a little bit, here are a few more recipe you might want to try during Tyrini Week, or any time you are not restricting eggs, dairy and fish.
But before that, make sure you check out this amazing post on Feta facts: Everything you need to know about Greek feta cheese and how to use it. And now, some more recipes!
