🤯Vegan Greek Recipes: Ditch the Feta! Taste BETTER Than Grandma's?!

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Opa! Delicious Vegan Greek Recipes You'll Crave

Are you craving the vibrant flavors of Greece but following a vegan lifestyle? Look no further! This guide is your passport to a world of delicious, plant-based Greek cuisine. We'll explore some classic dishes, veganized to perfection, using fresh ingredients and traditional techniques. Get ready to transport your taste buds to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean with these easy-to-follow vegan Greek recipes.

Why Vegan Greek?

Greek food is naturally bursting with vegetables, herbs, and olive oil, making it a surprisingly easy cuisine to adapt for a vegan diet. By swapping out a few key ingredients like feta cheese and meat, you can enjoy the same bold flavors and textures you love, all while staying true to your ethical and dietary preferences. This blog post will show you how!

Recipe 1: Vegan Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)

Spanakopita, a savory spinach pie, is a staple in Greek cuisine. Traditionally made with feta cheese and eggs, we’ll give you a delicious vegan spanakopita recipe that is just as satisfying!

Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 45-50 minutes Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for brushing
• 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 (14-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, pressed and crumbled (about 1 ½ cups) - or vegan feta alternative
• 1 package (1 pound) phyllo dough, thawed
• 1/2 cup plant-based milk (such as almond or soy milk)
• Vegan butter for brushing phyllo
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Spinach Filling: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Add the chopped spinach to the skillet, in batches if necessary, until it wilts down. Stir to combine the spinach with the onion and garlic. Cook until most of the moisture has evaporated.
3. Remove the skillet from the heat and let cool slightly. Stir in the chopped dill, parsley, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
4. Crumble the pressed tofu (or use the vegan feta alternative) into the spinach mixture. This will add the creamy texture and slight tang that the feta provides. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
5. Assemble the Spanakopita: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil.
6. Lay one sheet of phyllo dough in the baking dish and brush lightly with melted vegan butter.
7. Layer another sheet of phyllo dough on top and brush with butter. Repeat this process with about 6-8 layers of phyllo dough. This creates a base for the filling and prevents the bottom from becoming soggy.
8. Spread the spinach filling evenly over the phyllo base.
9. Top with another 6-8 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each layer with melted vegan butter.
10. Use a sharp knife to score the top layer of phyllo dough into squares or diamond shapes. This helps the pie cook evenly and makes it easier to serve.
11. In a small bowl, whisk together the plant-based milk and nutritional yeast. Brush this mixture evenly over the top of the spanakopita. This adds a nice golden color and adds a cheesy flavor.
12. Bake the Spanakopita: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is heated through.
13. Let the spanakopita cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations:

• Make Ahead: You can assemble the spanakopita ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, covered, for up to a day before baking.
• Crust: For a crispier crust, brush each phyllo sheet with more vegan butter.
• Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling for a touch of heat. Consider adding a layer of sautéed mushrooms to the filling for an added depth of flavor.
• Vegan Feta: You can find vegan feta cheese in many supermarkets. Crumble it directly into the spinach mixture for an extra cheesy flavor.
• Serving Suggestions: Serve spanakopita warm, with a side of vegan tzatziki sauce (recipe below) for dipping, or a simple Greek salad.

Recipe 2: Vegan Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki is a refreshing Greek yogurt-based sauce that is traditionally served with gyros, vegetables, and pita bread. Here's how to make a delicious vegan tzatziki sauce without dairy.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Servings: About 1 cup

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups plain, unsweetened vegan yogurt (such as soy or coconut yogurt - make sure it's thick)
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Cucumber: Place the grated cucumber in a fine-mesh sieve and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to drain excess moisture. This is very important, otherwise, your tzatziki will be too watery.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the vegan yogurt, drained cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, olive oil, and lemon juice.
3. Season and Taste: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Chill and Serve: Cover the tzatziki and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This also helps the sauce thicken up.
5. Serve chilled with pita bread, vegetable sticks, or as a topping for various Greek-inspired dishes.

Tips & Variations:

• Yogurt Choice: For the best flavor and texture, use a thick, unsweetened vegan yogurt. Coconut yogurt often lends a creamier texture, while soy yogurt offers a slightly tangy taste.
• Cucumber Prep: Squeeze the grated cucumber gently with your hands to remove as much water as possible before adding it to the yogurt. This will prevent the tzatziki from becoming runny.
• Herb Substitutions: If you don't have fresh dill, you can use dried dill, but use about 1 teaspoon instead of 2 tablespoons of fresh dill.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little heat.

Recipe 3: Vegan Greek Salad

A classic Greek salad is a refreshing and healthy dish that is naturally vegan-friendly. Here's how to make a vibrant vegan Greek salad to enjoy.

Prep time: 20 minutes Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
• 1/2 cup vegan feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, green bell pepper, and Kalamata olives.
2. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Assemble the Salad: Pour the dressing over the vegetables and gently toss to combine.
4. Add Vegan Feta: Sprinkle the crumbled vegan feta cheese over the salad.
5. Serve: Serve immediately, or chill for a short time to allow the flavors to meld.

Tips & Variations:

• Make Ahead: The salad can be assembled a few hours ahead of time, but add the vegan feta and dressing just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
• Add More Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables, such as artichoke hearts, or chickpeas, to the salad.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing for a little heat.
• Flavor Boost: For extra flavor, add some fresh herbs, such as fresh parsley or mint.

Other Vegan Greek Ideas:

• Vegan Dolmades: Vine leaves stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, herbs, and spices.
• Vegan Moussaka: A layered casserole with eggplant, potatoes, lentils or mushrooms, and a creamy béchamel sauce (made with plant-based ingredients).
• Vegan Lemon Potatoes (Patates Lemonates): Potatoes roasted with lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs.
• Vegan Gyros: Enjoy your vegan Greek recipes in a pita with vegan gyro slices!

Embrace the Flavors!

We hope you enjoyed these delicious and easy-to-follow vegan Greek recipes! Don't be afraid to experiment and adjust the recipes to your liking. The best part of cooking is making it your own! Get creative in the kitchen, try these recipes and share your experience in the comments below. Kali Orexi! (Bon appétit!)