Greek Food Glossary

Welcome to the Greek food glossary, your simple guide to navigating the rich and flavourful world of Greek cuisine.

Whether you're an experienced home cook or a curious food enthusiast, this Greek food dictionary will help you understand the ingredients that make Greek dishes so unique and delicious.

From essential herbs and spices to staple vegetables and meats, this Greek food glossary provides detailed definitions and pronunciations to enhance your culinary adventures.

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	K	L
M	O	P	R	S	T	V	W	Y	Z

A

Almonds (Αμύγδαλα)

Pronounced: ah-MEE-ghthah-lah
Used in both sweet and savoury Greek dishes, often found in desserts like baklava and as a garnish for various recipes.

Anchovies (Αντζούγιες)

Pronounced: ahn-TZOO-yehs
Small, salty fish used to add flavor to salads, sauces, and various Greek dishes.

Artichokes (Αγκινάρες)

Pronounced: ahg-kee-NAH-res
A vegetable used in many Greek dishes, often cooked with lemon and olive oil or included in stews.

Avgolemono (Αυγολέμονο)

Pronounced: av-goh-LEH-moh-noh
A traditional Greek sauce made from eggs and lemon juice, often used to thicken and flavour soups and stews.

B

Bakaliaro (Μπακαλιάρος)

Pronounced: bah-kah-lee-AH-roh
Salted cod, often used in traditional Greek dishes such as bakaliaros skordalia (fried cod with garlic sauce).

Bamies (Μπάμιες)

Pronounced: BAH-mehs
Okra, commonly used in Greek stews and casseroles.

Basic Vegetables (Βασικά Λαχανικά)

Pronounced: vah-SEE-kah lah-khah-nee-KAH
Includes staple vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and onions used in everyday cooking.

C

Capers (Κάππαρη)

Pronounced: KAH-pah-ree
Small, pickled flower buds used to add a tangy, salty flavour to dishes like salads, sauces, and seafood preparations.

Chicken (Κοτόπουλο)

Pronounced: koh-TOH-poo-loh
A versatile meat used in many Greek dishes, including soups, stews, and grilled preparations.

Chickpeas (Όσπρια)

Pronounced: OH-spria
Legumes used in many Greek dishes, including soups, stews, and salads.

Coffee (Καφές)

Pronounced: kah-FES
Greek coffee is a strong, unfiltered coffee served with grounds, traditionally brewed in a briki and enjoyed throughout the day.

Cookie (Μπισκότο)

Pronounced: bee-SKOH-toh
A baked sweet treat, often enjoyed with Greek coffee or tea.

D

Dill (Άνηθος)

Pronounced: AH-nee-thos
An aromatic herb with a distinctive flavour, used in many Greek dishes, including dips like tzatziki and fillings for spanakopita.

E

Eggplant (Μελιτζάνα)

Pronounced: meh-lee-TZAH-nah
A key ingredient in many Greek dishes, including moussaka and melitzanosalata (eggplant dip).

Eggs (Αυγά)

Pronounced: av-GAH
Used in a variety of Greek dishes, from baking to cooking, and essential for making egg-based sauces like avgolemono.

F

Feta (Φέτα)

Pronounced: FEH-tah
A brined white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly and tangy, commonly used in salads, pastries, and various Greek dishes.

Fig (Σύκο)

Pronounced: SEE-koh
A sweet fruit often used in Greek desserts, jams, and as a fresh or dried snack.

Fish (Ψάρι)

Pronounced: PSAH-ree
An important part of Greek cuisine, with a variety of fish used in dishes ranging from grilled whole fish to stews and soups (see psarosoupa).

Flour (Αλεύρι)

Pronounced: ah-LEH-vree
A staple ingredient used in baking and cooking, essential for making bread, pastries, and many traditional Greek dishes.

G

Garlic (Σκόρδο)

Pronounced: SKOR-tho
A pungent bulb used to add depth and flavour to countless Greek dishes, from sauces to marinades and dips.

Graviera (Γραβιέρα)

Pronounced: grah-VYER-ah
A hard cheese similar to gruyere, made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It has a sweet, nutty flavour and is used in various dishes, including saganaki.

H

Hilopites (Χυλοπίτες)

Pronounced: hee-loh-PEE-tehs
Small, square pasta made from flour, eggs, and milk, often used in soups and stews.

Honey (Μέλι)

Pronounced: MEH-lee
A natural sweetener often used in Greek desserts, marinades, and even some savoury dishes. Greek honey is known for its rich, floral flavour.

Horta (Χόρτα)

Pronounced: HOR-tah
Wild greens that are boiled and served with olive oil and lemon, commonly eaten as a side dish.

K

Kalamata Olives (Καλαματιανές Ελιές)

Pronounced: kah-lah-mah-tee-AH-nehs eh-LEES
Dark purple olives named after the city of Kalamata. They are almond-shaped and known for their rich, fruity flavour.

Kefalotyri (Κεφαλοτύρι)

Pronounced: keh-fah-loh-TEE-ree
A hard, salty cheese made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat's milk. It is often used for frying in the dish saganaki.

L

Lamb (Αρνί)

Pronounced: ar-NEE
A popular meat in Greek cuisine, used in a variety of dishes such as lamb roasts, stews, and kebabs.

Lemon (Λεμόνι)

Pronounced: leh-MOH-nee
A citrus fruit used extensively in Greek cooking for its juice and zest, adding a bright, tangy flavour to both savoury and sweet dishes.

Lobster (Καραβίδες)

Pronounced: kah-rah-VEE-thes
Used in various Greek seafood dishes, often grilled or included in stews.

M

Mastic (Μαστίχα)

Pronounced: ma-STEE-ha
A resin obtained from the mastic tree, used as a spice in baking and cooking, especially in sweets and liqueurs.

Mint (Μέντα)

Pronounced: MEN-tah
A fragrant herb used in various Greek dishes, both savoury and sweet. It is commonly used in salads, sauces, and as a garnish.

O

Onion (Κρεμμύδι)

Pronounced: kreh-MEE-thee
A basic vegetable used in numerous Greek dishes, providing a sweet or pungent flavour depending on how it is cooked.

Oregano (Ορίγανο)

Pronounced: REE-gah-nee
A popular herb in Greek cooking, used to season meats, vegetables, and sauces. Greek oregano has a robust and slightly bitter flavour.

Olive Oil (Ελαιόλαδο)

Pronounced: eh-lay-OH-lah-tho
A staple in Greek cooking, used for dressing salads, cooking, and baking. Greek olive oil is known for its rich flavour and high quality.

Ouzo (Ούζο)

Pronounced: OO-zo
A Greek anise-flavoured liqueur often enjoyed as an aperitif. Used in cooking to add a distinctive flavour to dishes.

P

Parsley (Μαϊντανός)

Pronounced: mah-een-dah-NOS
A widely used herb in Greek cooking, often chopped fresh and added to salads, soups, and as a garnish.

Peas (Μπιζέλια)

Pronounced: bee-ZEHL-yah
A common ingredient in Greek cooking, used in soups, stews, and side dishes.

Pepper (Πιπέρι)

Pronounced: pee-PEH-ree
A common spice used to add heat and flavour to dishes. Both black pepper and red pepper flakes are used in Greek cooking.

Phyllo Dough (Φύλλο)

Pronounced: FEE-loh
Thin, unleavened dough used for making pastries like baklava and spanakopita. It becomes crispy and flaky when baked.

Pita (Πίτα)

Pronounced: PEE-tah
A type of flatbread used in Greek cuisine, especially for wraps like gyros and souvlaki, as well as for dipping in spreads like tzatziki and hummus.

Pork (Χοιρινό)

Pronounced: hee-ree-NOH
Commonly used in Greek cuisine, found in dishes like souvlaki, stews, and sausages.

Potatoes (Πατάτες)

Pronounced: pah-TAH-tehs
A versatile vegetable commonly used in Greek cuisine, found in dishes such as moussaka, oven-roasted potatoes, and stews.

R

Rice (Ρύζι)

Pronounced: REE-zee
A staple ingredient in many Greek dishes, such as dolmades, (stuffed grape leaves), pilaf and yemista (stuffed vegetables).

S

Salad (Σαλάτα)

Pronounced: sah-LAH-tah
A dish typically made with fresh vegetables, olive oil, and various toppings like feta cheese and olives.

Salt (Αλάτι)

Pronounced: ah-LAH-tee
A fundamental seasoning in cooking, used to enhance the flavour of ingredients in virtually all Greek dishes.

Sauce (Σάλτσα)

Pronounced: SAL-tsah
A general term for sauces used in Greek cooking, including tomato-based sauces, avgolemono, and garlic sauces.

Shrimp (Γαρίδες)

Pronounced: gah-REE-thes
Seafood used in a variety of Greek dishes, including salads, soups, appetizers (prawn saganaki) and main courses.

Sour Cherry (Βύσσινο)

Pronounced: VEE-see-no
Used in Greek desserts, preserves, and as a flavouring for drinks and sweets.

Spaghetti (Μακαρόνια)

Pronounced: ma-KA-ro-nya
A type of pasta used in various Greek dishes, often combined with meats, seafood, or vegetables.

Sugar (Ζάχαρη)

Pronounced: ZAH-hah-ree
Used in Greek baking and desserts to add sweetness.

T

Taramas (Ταραμάς)

Pronounced: tah-rah-MAHS
Cured fish roe, usually from carp or cod, used to make the creamy dip taramasalata.

Thyme (Θυμάρι)

Pronounced: thee-MAH-ree
A fragrant herb used in Greek cuisine to season meats, soups, and stews, adding a subtle earthy flavour.

Tomatoes (Ντομάτες)

Pronounced: doh-MAH-tehs
A versatile fruit used extensively in Greek cooking, from salads and sauces to stews and casseroles.

V

Veal (Πρόβειο)

Pronounced: PRO-vee-oh
A type of meat from young cattle, often used in Greek stews and grilled dishes.

Vine Leaves (Φύλλα Αμπελόφυλλα)

Pronounced: FEE-lah ahm-beh-LOH-fee-lah
Leaves from the grapevine plant, used for wrapping around fillings in dishes like dolmades.

Vegetables (Λαχανικά)

Pronounced: lah-khah-nee-KAH
A wide variety of vegetables are used in Greek cuisine, including tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and more.

W

Water (Νερό)

Pronounced: neh-ROH
Essential for cooking and drinking, used in preparing soups, stews, and beverages.

Wine (Κρασί)

Pronounced: krah-SEE
A vital part of Greek culture and cuisine, used in cooking and enjoyed as a beverage.

Y

Yogurt (Γιαούρτι)

Pronounced: yah-OOR-tee
Greek yogurt, known for its thick and creamy texture, often used in cooking, baking, and as a base for dips like tzatziki. It can also be enjoyed with honey and nuts as a dessert.

Z

Zucchini (Κολοκυθάκια)

Pronounced: koh-loh-kee-THAH-kee-ah
A type of summer squash used in various Greek dishes, including stews, fritters, and baked casseroles.