In most Greek households, Lent is observed flexibly. Meat is avoided, dairy is often reduced, and meals lean heavily on legumes and ladera (vegetables cooked in olive oil) for deeply satisfying meals built from simple ingredients. During Holy Week, many families move closer to fully vegan cooking, although not everyone follows the same level of fasting. If you’re looking for traditional and flexible Greek Lent recipes — whether you’re observing or simply eating lighter — here are 17 favorites from The Greek Foodie.
Vegetable & Legume Staples
→ Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach Rice)
Bright with lemon and rich with olive oil. A true Lenten classic.
→ Fasolakia Ladera (Greek Green Beans in Tomato Sauce)
Tender green beans slowly cooked in olive oil and tomatoes. Simple, traditional, and deeply comforting — the essence of Greek cooking.
→ Horta (Wild Greens with Olive Oil & Lemon)
Boiled seasonal greens dressed with olive oil and lemon. Peak Greek fasting simplicity.
→ Chickpea Soup (Revithosoupa)
Simple, nourishing, and deeply traditional. Chickpeas simmered slowly with olive oil and herbs — this is classic fasting food.
If you’re craving something a little heartier, my Shrimp Spaghetti brings bright Mediterranean flavor to the table and feels special enough for company — but easy enough for a weeknight.
Seafood for Flexible Lent
Tender shrimp simmered in rich tomato sauce with garlic and herbs. For Holy Week, skip the feta if you’re observing more strictly.
Crispy and traditional, especially around March 25th. Pair them with Skordalia for an authentic experience.
Simple, bold, and incredibly satisfying. Sardines dressed with olive oil and lemon over crusty bread are affordable, traditional, and perfect for Lent.
Fritters & Small Bites (Perfect for Lent)
→ Chickpea Fritters (Revithokeftedes)
Golden outside, tender inside. Naturally vegan and perfect for Holy Week.
→ Zucchini Fritters (Kolokithokeftedes)
For flexible fasting days, keep the feta. For stricter days, adapt as needed.
For a comforting meatless classic, my Vegetarian Moussaka layers tender vegetables and rich flavor into a dish that’s just as satisfying as the traditional version.
Dips & Traditional Favorites
→ Taramosalata (Greek Fish Roe Dip)
Silky, briny, and unmistakably Greek. Traditionally served on Clean Monday, the first day of Greek Orthodox Lent, taramosalata is one of the most iconic Lenten dips and a staple of the holiday table.
For another easy weeknight comfort meal, my Ntomatorizo (Greek Tomato Rice) is simple, pantry-friendly, and deeply satisfying with just olive oil, rice, and ripe tomatoes.
Sweet for Lent
The ultimate Lenten dessert. No dairy, deeply comforting, and beautifully simple.
What Is Greek Lent?
Greek Orthodox Lent lasts for 40 days leading up to Easter and is traditionally a period of reflection and simpler eating. In most Greek households, meat is avoided, dairy is often reduced or eliminated, and meals center around legumes, vegetables, olive oil, and seafood. Dishes like fasolada, spanakorizo, and fava become everyday staples. While fasting practices vary from family to family, many people move toward fully vegan meals during Holy Week. What never changes, though, is the flavor — Greek Lenten cooking remains deeply satisfying, seasonal, and rooted in tradition.
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