Greek cuisine is famous for its fresh and flavoursome ingredients, focusing on fresh vegetables and olive oil. It also incorporates a variety of herbs and spices, such as oregano, thyme, and cinnamon, to add depth of flavour to their dishes. Greek cuisine has a rich history and cultural significance, with many traditional dishes tied to religious and familial celebrations. A popular dish in Greek cuisine is soup, with many varieties of Greek soups to try. So, which are the most famous and popular Greek soups? Here is a selection of delicious Greek soups for you to sample.
One of the Most Popular Greek Soups, Avgolemono: Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
Avgolemono is a classic Greek soup with chicken broth, egg yolks, and lemon juice. The Greeks often serve the broth with orzo pasta and shredded chicken. It has a tangy and creamy flavour that makes it a popular comfort food in Greece and around the world. Avgolemono is similar to the Polish soup rosol.
Revithia: One of the Popular Greek Soups Made with Chickpeas
Revithia, also known as Greek chickpea soup, is a flavorful and nutritious soup made with chickpeas, onions, and various herbs and spices. The soup can also include carrots, celery, and tomatoes. The chickpeas are simmered in the broth until tender, and then the soup is flavoured with garlic, bay leaves, and paprika. Some recipe versions also call for adding lemon juice or vinegar for a tangy flavour. Revithia is a popular dish in Greece, especially during the winter months, and people often serve it with a slice of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil. It is a delicious and healthy soup perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Fakes: Greek Lentil Soup
Fakes, also known as Greek lentil soup, is a popular and nutritious dish in Greece. It usually consists of lentils, onions, carrots, tomatoes, herbs, and spices. Some recipe versions include red wine vinegar and feta cheese for added flavour. People often serve fakes with crusty bread and a drizzle of olive oil. It is a filling and satisfying dish perfect for cold winter days. Image credit: Alesia Kozik on Pexels.com
Kremithosoupa: Greek Onion Soup, One of the Popular Greek Soups
Not only the French are fans of onion soups, as the Greeks have their own version. Greek onion soup, or Kremithosoupa, is a flavorful and comforting soup made with onions, garlic, and white wine. The soup is typically flavoured with bay leaves and thyme and can also include potatoes and carrots. The onions are sautéed until caramelized, and then the white wine is added to the pot to deglaze and add flavour. You then simmer the soup until the vegetables are tender and the flavours have combined. Kremithosoupa is a delicious and warming dish perfect for a cold winter’s day. The Greeks usually serve it with crusty bread and a sprinkling of grated cheese.
Fasolada: One of the Popular Greek Soups Made with Beans
Fasolada is a traditional Greek soup with white beans, vegetables, and olive oil. It is one of the national dishes of Greece, and the Greeks commonly eat it during the winter months. The soup typically includes onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and parsley and can be made with or without meat. Fasolada is a hearty and nutritious dish similar to minestrone, the popular Italian soup. It is often served with crusty bread and a dollop of Greek yoghurt. Image credit: EUGASTRONOMES, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Patsas: Tripe Soup
Patsas is a hearty Greek soup made from tripe and various spices. The soup is typically seasoned with garlic, vinegar, and red pepper flakes and can also include carrots, celery, and onions. The tripe is simmered in the broth until tender and flavorful. Patsas is a popular dish in Greece, especially after a night of drinking, as some Greeks believe it helps to cure a hangover. It is often served with a side of bread and a sprinkle of vinegar for added flavour. Patsas is a unique and flavorful dish that is not for everyone but is beloved by many Greeks. If you enjoy patsas, you might also like Polish tripe soup.
Kreatosoupa: Greek Beef Soup
Kreatosoupa, also known as Greek meat soup or Greek beef soup, is a hearty and flavorful soup made with beef, vegetables, and herbs. The soup typically includes onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes and can also include tomatoes and herbs such as thyme and bay leaves. The beef is simmered in the broth until tender and flavourful, and then the vegetables are added and cooked until tender. Kreatosoupa is a popular dish in Greece, especially in winter, and is often served with a side of bread and a sprinkle of grated cheese. It is a delicious and filling soup perfect for a cold night. Image credit: Robin DeGrassi from Denver, Colorado, USA, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mayiritsa: Greek Easter Soup
Like many cultures, the Greeks have food traditions throughout the year, and these often have links to religious festivals. A popular Greek soup eaten at Easter time is Mayiritsa, which the Greeks eat to break their fast at the end of Lent. The Greek soup’s main ingredients are lamb offal, onions, dill, lettuce, rice, green onions, and lamb juice.
Manestra: Greek Tomato and Orzo Soup
Manestra, or Greek orzo pasta soup, is a simple and comforting soup made with orzo pasta, tomatoes, and various herbs and spices. The soup is typically flavoured with onions, garlic, and oregano and can also include carrots and celery. Orzo pasta is added to the broth and cooked until tender. Manestra is a popular dish in Greece, especially during the winter, and is often served with a sprinkle of grated cheese and a side of bread. It is similar to the Greek soup minestra d’orzo. Image credit: Angela Khebou on Pexels.com
Psarasoupa: One of the Most Popular Greek Soups with Fish
Psarosoupa, or Greek fish soup, is a light and flavorful soup made with fish, vegetables, and herbs. It is a popular dish in Greece, where it is served as a starter or a main course. The soup typically includes onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and potatoes and is seasoned with various herbs such as dill and parsley. The fish used in the soup can vary depending on availability but typically includes white-fleshed fish such as cod or haddock. Psarosoupa is a healthy and delicious dish that is perfect for seafood lovers.
Tourlou: Greek Vegetable Soup
Tourlou, or Briam, is a Greek vegetable stew with various summer vegetables. The dish typically includes zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes and is flavoured with garlic, oregano, and olive oil. One way to cook the dish is to layer the vegetables in a baking dish, and then bake them in the oven until caramelized and tender. Tourlou is a healthy and nutritious dish that people eat as a soup, a side dish, or a main course. You can enjoy it hot or cold. Image credit: Koichi Oda, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Patates Yahni: One of the Simplest Greek Soups
Patates yahni, or Greek braised potatoes, is a flavorful and comforting dish made with potatoes, onions, and tomatoes. It is a staple of Greek cuisine, and the Greeks serve it as a hearty soup, a side dish, or a vegetarian main course. The recipe typically calls for potatoes to be sautéed with onions and garlic until golden brown, then simmered in a tomato-based sauce with herbs and spices such as oregano and bay leaves. You can enjoy patates yahni alone or with crusty bread or rice.
Fava: Split-Pea Soup
Fava, also known as yellow split pea soup, is a popular dish in Greece, especially in Santorini. Its main ingredients include yellow split peas, onions, garlic, herbs, and spices. The soup is typically served as a meze or appetizer with a topping of caramelized onions, capers, and a drizzle of olive oil. It has a creamy texture and a slightly sweet and tangy flavour. Fava is similar to grochowka, a Polish pea soup. Both soups are delicious served with warm bread rolls.
Giouvarlakia Avgolemono: Greek Meatball Soup
Greek meatball soup, or Giouvarlakia soup, is a comforting and hearty soup made with meatballs and rice. Due to the use of meatballs, it is similar to Italian wedding soup. The meatballs are either ground beef or pork, with breadcrumbs, onions, and various herbs and spices such as oregano and mint. The soup is flavoured with onions and garlic and may also include carrots, celery, and potatoes. The meatballs are added to the soup and simmered until cooked through, and then rice is added to the broth to cook until tender. Giouvarlakia soup is a filling and nutritious dish the Greeks serve with crusty bread and a sprinkling of feta cheese.
Patatosoupa: Greek Potato Soup
Greek potato soup, or Patatosoupa, is a creamy and comforting soup made with potatoes, onions, and milk or cream. The soup is typically flavoured with garlic, bay leaves, and thyme and can also include carrots and celery. The potatoes are simmered in the broth until tender, then blended until smooth with a hand blender or food processor. Milk or cream is added to the potato soup to give it a rich and creamy texture. Patatosoupa is a delicious and filling dish that people often serve with crusty bread and a drizzle of olive oil.
Spanakorizo: A Greek Spinach and Rice Soup
Spanakorizo is a traditional Greek dish made with spinach and rice. It is a simple and nutritious meal that is popular throughout Greece. The dish typically includes onions, garlic, tomatoes, herbs, and spices such as dill and parsley. Some versions of the recipe also include feta cheese for added flavour. Spanakorizo is often served with a drizzle of olive oil and a slice of lemon, and people enjoy it as either a main course or a side dish. It is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy spinach and rice.
Have you tried any of these popular Greek soups? Do you have any tips for making them or any other ideas for soups from Greece? Let us know in the comments below.
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