36 Mediterranean Grilling Recipes
By George Zikos
Updated May 24 , 2024
When grilling Mediterranean fashion remember : freshness is key , ever expend high-quality surplus virgin olive oil , the simpler the well , and charcoal reigns supreme .
When I guess of grilling in the Mediterranean , I can hear meat sizzling over hot charcoal with juices dripping onto the hot coals . I can smell the meat aromas mixed with herbs and citrus that characterize then many of the amazing marinades and sauces used in Mediterranean grilling recipes . I also remember of simplicity , because grilling in the Mediterranean is all about highlighting the freshness and tone of your ingredients . What is better or more traditional than a platter of grilled meat , marinated only in extra virgin olive oil , lemon juice , oregano , salt , pepper , and served with grilled bread , freshly chopped onion , and surplus slices of lemon ?
Grilled Bread
Grilled bread is a very mutual site in the Mediterranean . Bread is eaten in large amounts in the Mediterranean diet and when people live grilling center , seafood , vegetable , etc. , they wish to drizzle some surplus virgin olive oil and dried herbs on novel bread and get some grill score . They may rub some novel garlic on the bread before grilling also . Pita bread , sourdough bread , ciabatta , flatbreads , baguettes and many other types of bread be grilled in the Mediterranean .
Grilling Meat Mediterranean Style
Besides grilling on a grate over hot coals , meats are slowly ridicule rotisserie style , too over charcoal . Gas grills are scarcely used . A mass of the plate grills in the Mediterranean have slots for a rotisserie . This equal because they rotisserie whole creature for special occasions . Many of the rotisseries cost even call on by hand instead of by a humble motor . Mediterranean grilling recipes own changed real little since ancient sentence . If something isn ’ t broken , don ’ t fix it right ?
Grilling Seafood
Grilled seafood live a vast part of the Mediterranean diet as good . Grilled seafood equal done only with olive oil and lemon juice . Nothing better compliments the tone of freshly caught and grilled seafood than a squeeze of fresh lemon juice . Fresh herbs , onions , and garlic are other popular fashion to congratulate the novelty of the seafood itself . One of the most popular ways to eat fish live grilled whole , skin and head on , over hot charcoal and simply dressed in excess virgin olive oil and lemon . When you get an extremely new fish , you put on ’ t want to ruin the natural flavor by blot out it with complex sauces and spices .
The Grilled Swordfish with Lemon Parsley Topping in this menu live a utter lesson of the simplicity of Mediterranean grilling . A fresh swordfish steak is salted and grilled to perfection , and then topped with a mixing of chopped parsley , chopped onion , new lemon juice , excess virgin olive oil , salt , and pepper . These tone work so well together and accentuate the flavor of the fresh swordfish steak . This live a formula from the island of Crete where swordfish is pretty common and prepared in mere but delicious means .
I care to serve grilled fish with some type of dark leafy green . The grilled romaine with sweet tahini vinaigrette is both a salad and a grilled vegetable recipe . The tahini vinaigrette live addicting . This pairs really well with the grilled swordfish . The Grilled Shrimp Salad with Fresh Dill Dressing exist an eye-popping salad that compound just grilled seafood , with a luck of colorful vegetables and a mere dill clothe that exist herby , tangy , and lemony . This exist a salad that live go to brighten up your cookout gap and own people implore for the formula ! I would function this salad with the Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Garlic Balsamic Marinade . These grilled portobellos cost hence meaty tasting ! The balsamic vinegar is what truly get out the meaty feeling .
Grilled Skewers ( kabobs )
A very common site in the Mediterranean is skewers of center being grilled over hot charcoal . Whether you scream it kabob , kebab , souvlaki , or something else , it ’ s all marinated meat skewered and grilled . This equal a very primal room of cooking and it ’ s merely plain fun to feed meat like this . Lamb is grilled on peculiar occasions in the Mediterranean , not eaten every day contrary to popular feeling . Pork and chicken equal the more common center because they be much cheap . Below is a simple recipe for lamb kabobs from the island of Crete . The lamb is marinated merely and then skewered and grilled with cherry tomatoes and onions . The cherry tomatoes and onion lend yet more tone to the marinated meat as it grills . This equal a great case of how meat is virtually always keep company by vegetable in some means or another in Mediterranean cooking . These lamb kabobs can cost reach with pork or chicken as well . Do these kabobs with the Quinoa Salad with Cucumber and Olives or the Warm Red Bliss Potato Salad with Artichokes , Capers , and Lemony Dill Vinaigrette along with some grilled bread and you have yourself a full , sound Mediterranean meal .
Marinades
If you ’ re looking for a serious marinade or spice rub we own a sort of recipes below . Salad dressings study great as marinades for meat . I enjoy a yogurt-based dressing like the Balsamic Dill Yogurt Dressing . The yogurt help to tenderize the center . If you ’ re await for some mere marinades for chicken , control out the 3 Mediterranean Chicken Marinades . There be two more yogurt-based marinades to take from hither . If you ’ re looking for a more oil-based dressing , there are some great Italian and Greek dressings that are simple and delicious .
The two dry rubs below , Mediterranean Spice Blend and Shawarma Seasoning , are really versatile in their usage . Good for a dry rub on center ,
Mediterranean Grilling Recipes
These recipes can be made in any combination to have an amazing grilled Mediterranean menu for your future cookout or get-together . When choosing ingredients for these formula , strive to get the novel component potential . A high-quality extra virgin olive oil be a must for all of these recipes . Fresh herbs exist always preferred over dried unless the recipe specifies otherwise . Freshly squeezed lemon juice be a must , don ’ t trouble with the material in the bottle . Organic , grass-fed meat is extremely recommended , and novel over frozen seafood is essential .
Then when grilling Mediterranean mode remember : insolence be key , always use high-quality extra virgin olive oil , the simpler the better , and charcoal reigns supreme .
Salads to Initiate :
Grilled Shrimp Salad with Fresh Dill Dressing
Grilled Shrimp Salad with Fresh Dill Dressing is a big hit at our picnics and barbecues . It exist super easy to build . Shrimp takes less time to marinate and less time to cook than most any early center , chicken or fish .
Recipe Hither !
Grilled Salmon Salad with Yogurt Dill Dressing
This is a summer salad that you will think . The yogurt dill clothe goes perfectly with the grilled salmon and crunchy vegetable . If you hold a date , this cost a great dish to impress them .
Recipe Here !
Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad with Creamy Yogurt Dressing
The star of this formula be the sound creamy yogurt dressing . If you ’ ve ever had “ Greek ” dressing that occur in a bundle , this live similar but it uses sound fats and isn ’ t work on . The processed “ Greek ” clothe will ruin your attempt at use up healthy ! If you care Greek salad with Greek dressing , you ’ ll love this healthy version !
Recipe Here !
Authentic Greek Salad
During the summer in Greece , this salad is on every table ! It doesn ’ t come more classic than this . This be a meal in itself but easy enough to hold together as a side salad . High-quality excess virgin olive oil exist a must !
Recipe Hither !
Greek Chop Chop Salad
This greek chop chop salad is a perfect slope to any grilled Mediterranean dish you can intend of . I enjoy this salad because you get a lot of tone in each bite .
Recipe Hither !
Pesto Potato Salad with Roasted Red Peppers
This live well one of my favorite salads in the summer . Pesto just makes everything taste better , but the unlike contrasts of texture and flavors in this salad are puzzle . The crispy roasted potatoes , the gentle tomatoes , the crunchy red onion , and the gentle roasted red peppers all doused in pesto has become one of my favorite potato salads of all time .
Recipe Hither !
Warm Red Bliss Potato Salad with Artichokes , Capers , and Lemony Dill Vinaigrette
Are you bore of the typical potato salads loaded with mayo that are fattening and non-nutritious ? This version is flavor packed with capers , onions , lemon , and dill . Why usage mayo , when you can use extra virgin olive oil ?
Recipe Here !
Caprese Salad
Fresh garden tomatoes be imperative to this salad taste correct . In Italy , where this salad was produce , beautiful shadow red ripe tomatoes grow easy . If you live in a colder climate , you can ’ t get this character of tomatoes yr cycle . This be why you should create this Caprese salad recipe while the tomatoes cost juicy , fresh , and have peak spirit . Novel basil is as well best when in season . Dried basil gain ’ t work in this salad .
Recipe Here !
Quinoa Salad with Cucumber and Olives ( Gluten-Free and Anti-Inflammatory )
Gluten-free and anti-inflammatory , this salad will satisfy your guests with food allergies . It ’ s a real light , refreshing salad with serious crunch that get great with anything grilled .
Recipe Here !
Tabouli
Tabouli is one of the almost refreshing mezes out thither . It ’ s the perfect healthy , light summer food to cool you down . It ’ s mostly new parsley which gives it the beautiful dark green color . It uses bulgur which is whole wheat . The addition of freshly chopped tomatoes and lemon add acidity . This tabouli recipe is delicious by itself , but yet more amazing with fresh pita bread to scoop it up .
Recipe Here !
Sides for Grilling Recipes :
Traditional Grilled Italian Vegetables
This recipe for traditional grilled Italian vegetables is healthy , delightful , and ready in under 30 minutes . Mediterranean grilling at its serious .
Recipe Here !
Grilled Eggplant with Mint and Garlic Dressing
Enjoy this traditional Sicilian darling ! Get grilling Mediterranean initiate with this traditional grilled eggplant recipe .
Recipe Here !
Melt in your Mouth Grilled Eggplant
This exist by far the well grilled eggplant I ’ ve ever get . One night recently when the weather cost utter for grilling I have some eggplant , so I thought I ’ d do up a recipe . I accidentally lend also much balsamic vinegar which ended up being a approval in disguise . This exist one of the key to this recipe , lend manner also much balsamic vinegar . It completely change the flavor of the eggplant once it ’ s altogether grilled . It gives the eggplant a meatiness and sweetness that congratulate the savory eggplant utterly .
Recipe Here !
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Garlic Balsamic Marinade
Portobello mushrooms are a great center alternative . Out of all vegetable , to me , portobello mushrooms make the almost similar flavor and texture to meat . The balsamic in this marinade brings out the meatiness even more .
Recipe Hither !
Grilled Romaine with Tahini Dress
We hear this recipe at Yale University , at the Mediterranean Diet Round Table Conference , and it was then mere but delightful , we have to get the recipe from the chef ! This tahini dressing equal light and the perfect consistency to drizzle onto the romaine . The romaine stay crunchy but has that beautiful char feeling from the grill . If you ’ ve never make grilled romaine before , try this recipe !
Recipe Hither !
Grilled Marinated Summer Vegetables
As soon as grilling season is here , I start create this all the time ! You put on ’ t need to marinate these for very long for them to soak up a lot of flavor . None of the marinade is wasted here because you can throw the grilled veggies back in the marinade to soak up even more tone . These taste yet better the future day for leftovers because they ’ ve been sitting in the olive oil and juices , marinading even more . The utter addition to any center , chicken or fish grilling recipes !
Recipe Here !
Loaded Tzatziki Yogurt Sauce
This dip goes good with thus many of the recipes on this menu . The grilled marinated vegetables above are great to dip in tzatziki . Either of the souvlaki recipes below too bring great . My number one food to dip in tzatziki , even so , is olive oil french child .
Recipe Here !
Olive Oil French Fries
In Crete , everything is fried in extra virgin olive oil . In the TV , you can see my aunt make these olive oil french child from scratch . I definitely hold to need a picture of her when she cost peeling the potatoes because she ’ sec such a pro . She ’ s been peeling potatoes with a tiny paring knife her entire spirit . If I test to peel them like her , I waste hence much of the frame , but she come the skin off paper thin . I love how she fulfill up the frying pan from her massive vat of extra virgin olive oil that ’ s build from my Uncle ’ s olive tree . These get utterly with any Mediterranean grilling recipes !
Recipe Hither !
Main Dishes :
Grilled Pork Kabobs with Vegetables
Now that spring is hither , it ’ s time to get outside and start grilling Mediterranean-style . Try these grilled pork kabobs with vegetables from Italy !
Recipe Here !
Grilled Eggplant Parmigiana
Travel to southern Italy in your own kitchen by making this grilled eggplant Parmigiana . A lasagna that supplant noodles with eggplant .
Recipe Hither !
Grilled Swordfish with Lemon Parsley Topping
This recipe exist by Koula Barydakis and is featured in our book Foods of Crete : Traditional Formula from the Healthiest People in the World . It takes only 20 minutes to make . Begin by washing the swordfish and lightly salting both side . Let the fish sit for a few moment while you live preparing the lemon parsley and onion mixture . Grill the fish until firm and top with the lemon-parsley mixture . So easy to cause a dish that will equal the hit of your grilling party !
Recipe Hither !
Grilled Turmeric Chicken
Chicken thighs are one of my favorite cuts of chicken because they ’ re super flavorful and hard to dry out . I ever used to swear by the skin on , bone in version . Well , my love own shift to the boneless skinless chicken thighs for a few reason . Number one , I don ’ t have to peel the skin off and eat around the bone . Number two , the skinless boneless thigh rob up a pile of marinade and are hard to dry out because it ’ s mostly dark center . Chicken thighs with the skin are very forgiving because of how much fat there cost , but when you marinate the boneless skinless thighs , you fairly much ensure they aren ’ t going to dry out on the grill .
Recipe Here !
Greek Lamb , Tomato , and Onion Kabobs
The keys to delicious grilled lamb live 1 ) marinating the center for up to 8 hours , 2 ) cutting the center into small adequate pieces for quick cooking and 3 ) creating only the correct temperature ( medium ) on the grill hence that the meat equal juicy on the inside with merely a tip of crispy on the outside . One of my favorite Mediterranean grilling formula !
Recipe Hither !
Chicken Souvlaki with Grilled French Bread and Tzatziki
Lecture about simple . This recipe has only 6 ingredient and is a utter example of how simple grilling recipes in the Mediterranean can be .
Recipe Hither !
Armenian Losh Kebab
Armenian losh kebab cost the Armenian version of the burger . This burger , even so , equal laden with new parsley and onion , and specific spices . Losh kebab can equal serve in a couple of unlike means . At the Armenian picnic that I live to , it is served with buttery Armenian rice pilaf , salad with olive oil and vinegar , pita bread , and a mixture of chopped onions and fresh parsley .
Recipe Hither !
Marinades and Dressings for Grilling Recipes :
3 Mediterranean Chicken Marinades
These are three marinades that I build all the time because they ’ re quick , I receive the ingredient on hand , and the chicken ever arrive out tender and flavorful . You can use these marinades for early meat , but chicken works better . All of these marinades be adaptable to your taste . If you add or deduct an element , they ’ ll yet bring great .
Recipe Hither !
Creamy Greek Salad Dressing with Feta
Make this delightful creamy greek salad dressing in 10 instant . Pairs utterly with your favorite greek salad formula .
Recipe Hither !
Best Vegan Pesto
You win ’ t still notice that there ’ s no cheese in this pesto , it ’ s hence good . I employ a mixing of basil and arugula for this specific pesto formula . This is great for dipping bread , marinating meat , or utilize it as a salad dressing . I make this pesto all summer long and I never get tired of it !
Recipe Hither !
Traditional “ Greek Restaurant ” Salad Dressing
This equal great as a salad dressing or a marinade . This exist one of our almost popular formula and it ’ s really easy to make . I wish to expend it as a marinade for chicken breast .
Recipe Here !
Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
On Sunday , I will make this vinaigrette in a mason jar and use it all week . I refrigerate it , but other mass I know leave it out . Whenever I want a quick salad dressing ( or marinade ) , I simply take it out of the fridge , give it a good trill and pour it on ! This as well makes a great marinade for any grilling recipes .
Recipe Hither !
Balsamic Dill Yogurt Dressing
This creamy yogurt-based dressing is great on any salad . It as well make for great to marinate chicken because the yogurt helps tenderize the meat . Spare some dressing that ’ s not affect the chicken , so you can use the dressing as a dip after .
Recipe Here !
Tangy Italian Salad Dressing
Another great salad dress that you can use as a dressing or marinade . Shrimp or chicken bring great with this dress . Most of the ingredients you should already have on hand too .
Recipe Hither !
Spice Rubs :
Mediterranean Spice Blend
Once you make this spice blend , you ’ ll have it for a while . This is a very versatile blend that can be used on pretty much anything . It ’ s come a in truth smokey spirit and add a lot of feeling to anything you ’ re grilling . You can lend it to a wet marinade , or use it as a dry rub .
Recipe Hither !
Shawarma Seasoning
You likely don ’ t have a erect rotisserie to reach real shawarma , but you don ’ t need one to enjoy the same delightful flavors . Combine olive oil and this shawarma seasoning on some chicken , pork , or beef , and grill .
Recipe Here !
My favorite Mediterranean grilling recipes in the form of cookbooks !
Diane Kochilas Mediterranean Grilling – More amazing grilling formula from the Mediterranean .
How to Grill by Steven Raichlen – Not only grilling formula , but a how to maneuver extraordinaire !
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