Best Greek Cookbooks

Greek cuisine is a true treasure trove of flavors and aromas. If you’re looking to recreate some of the delicious dishes that you’ve enjoyed on your travels or at your local Greek restaurants like pastitsio, spanakopita, or gyros, then a great cookbook is a must-have. We’ve rounded up the best Greek cookbooks in publication, each one offering a wealth of delicious recipes and valuable tips and tricks for creating authentic and delicious Greek dishes in your own kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a complete beginner, these books will take your Greek cooking to the next level.

Key Takeaways

• Newcomers to Greek cuisine will find the best value from My Greek Table My Greek Table: Authentic Flavors and Modern Home Cooking from My Kitchen to Yours by Diane Kochilas. Its functional indexing and foolproof recipes and guidance are the best, and there’s an ample spread that cooks of all skill levels will learn from.
• Vefa Alexiadou’s Greece: The Cookbook is the definitive must-have for all serious Greek chefs. It’s also a compilation of techniques, insight, and recipes from which even the most advanced chefs will learn something.
• For vibrant, modern Greek recipes of the highest quality, you can’t go wrong with Kokkari: Contemporary Greek Flavors by Erik Cosselmon or Opa! The Healthy Greek Cookbook by Theo Stephan & Christina Xenos.

• Key Takeaways
• The 10 Best Greek Cookbooks
  • My Big Fat Greek Cookbook: Classic Mediterranean Soul Food Recipes by Christos Sourligas
  • Opa! The Healthy Greek Cookbook: Modern Mediterranean Recipes for Living the Good Life by Theo Stephan & Christina Xenos
  • Sea Salt and Honey: Celebrating the Food of Kardamili in 100 Sun-Drenched Recipes: A New Greek Cookbook by Nicholas Tsakiris, Chloe Tsakiris & Olivia Tsakiris
  • Kokkari: Contemporary Greek Flavors by Erik Cosselmon
  • My Greek Table: Authentic Flavors and Modern Home Cooking from My Kitchen to Yours by Diane Kochilas
  • The Complete Book of Greek Cooking: The Recipe Club of St. Paul’s Orthodox Cathedral by Recipe Club of St. Paul’s Church
  • How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking by Michael Psilakis
  • Orexi!: Feasting at the modern Greek table by Theo A. Michaels
  • Ikaria: Lessons on Food, Life, and Longevity from the Greek Island Where People Forget to Die: A Cookbook by Diane Kochilas
  • Cooking Greek: A Classic Greek Cookbook for the At-Home Chef by Pemi Kanavos & Tanya Stamoulis
• Print Only Greek Cookbooks
  • The Greek Vegetarian: More Than 100 Recipes Inspired by the Traditional Dishes and Flavors of Greece by Diane Kochilas
  • Greece, The Cookbook by Vefa Alexiadou
  • The Greek Vegetarian Cookbook by Heather Thomas
• Frequently Asked Questions – Greek Cookbooks

The 10 Best Greek Cookbooks

Here are the ten best Greek cookbooks available in print and digital formats. 

My Big Fat Greek Cookbook: Classic Mediterranean Soul Food Recipes by Christos Sourligas

My Big Fat Greek Cookbook: Classic Mediterranean Soul Food Recipes grants one of the most complete overviews of Greek food and food culture out of any book reviewed. It’s the ideal cookbook for anyone who appreciates storytelling in addition to excellent recipes. Some of these recipes can be traced back to hundreds of years, yet the reader should not worry – all modern adaptations found are straightforward to prepare and call for very few difficult-to-source ingredients. 

There are ample recipes to pick from, with every category all the way up to desserts sporting a brilliant selection that’ll appeal to all tastes. Simplistic recipe construction backed by introductions and explanations that make you yearn to try each dish is to be expected. There’s no learning curve and you’ll know how to make almost all the classics in no time, no matter your skill level as a cook. 

About The Author: Award-winning author, filmmaker, actor, and innovator Christos Sourligas believes that cooking should be an enjoyable and creative experience that embraces the culture, history, and flavors of the region. His book provides a comprehensive look at traditional Greek recipes and flavors, as well as creative takes on classic dishes, inclusive of anecdotes, entertaining stories, and photos of the dishes he makes.

Opa! The Healthy Greek Cookbook: Modern Mediterranean Recipes for Living the Good Life by Theo Stephan & Christina Xenos

Opa! The Healthy Greek Cookbook combines foolproof instructions with shopping for the modern household and arrives at a recipe collection that almost every Greek food fan has to have. There are great recipes, impossible-to-forget tips, and lifestyle advice straight from the Mediterranean waiting. Every last one is healthy, but it’s the flavor that’ll keep you coming back to try more.  

This is a book that promises to make you yell out “Opa” after trying each meal, and there’s no denying the appeal. You may well be raving after sampling the supremely simple yet equally delicious offering delivered. Even modern dishes like olive oil ice cream are divulged in detail that calls one to try them out. It’s a complete Greek recipe book that’s well worth only regardless of the format ordered or considerably higher price tag than normally found for books of its type. 

About The Author: Authors Theo Stephan & Christina Xenos carry across their Greek heritage into culinary discourses that foster a closeness to regional culture within those unfamiliar with the lifestyle. Both are experts in Greek-American cuisine rooted in Greece’s heritage – a heritage that only family can build.

Sea Salt and Honey: Celebrating the Food of Kardamili in 100 Sun-Drenched Recipes: A New Greek Cookbook by Nicholas Tsakiris, Chloe Tsakiris & Olivia Tsakiris

As a culinary journey, Sea Salt and Honey is utterly outstanding. Greek food culture is presented so vibrantly that any taste or type could take an avid interest after reading just a few pages. It’s entirely family recipes adapted to the modern household and a rare collection at that. Every section of cooking, from spices to main meals and desserts, is covered and well-introduced in such a manner that the reader begins to grasp the basis of Greek food better and better. 

There are but a few beautiful photos but they do manage to accentuate the ideas behind each aspect of cooking covered. In print, the format works even better, but regardless of which release is selected, a cookbook to be treasured awaits. If you are someone that wants to not only know what to cook and how to cook it but understand why as well, then this is the ideal cookbook for you. 

About The Author: Award-winning designer and architect Nicolas Tasakiris comes together with his two daughters, Chloe and Olivia, to create a tribute to their father’s birthplace – one of the most insightful looks at regional Greek cuisine seen.

Kokkari: Contemporary Greek Flavors by Erik Cosselmon

Within the pages of Kokkari: Contemporary Greek Flavors, you’ll find some of the most vibrant Greek dishes sampled anywhere. It’s restaurant quality meals of the highest caliber, straight from one of the best Greek restaurants in the world. Don’t let the seemingly complex structure of many meals deter you from trying them out, for once you do, you’ll soon see just how well-crafted the instructions are. Foolproof results are to be expected without room for ambiguity regarding any part of the process. 

This is a cookbook that has recipes that are so good that even professional chefs will pick up a few tips every here and there. It’s the ideal introduction to advanced Greek food that’s accessible to almost anyone. If you know and love Kokkari, the San Francisco-based restaurant, buy this cookbook. And if not, we strongly urge you to check it out. 

About The Author: Michigan-born chef Erik Cosselmon earned himself the acclaim of being one of the world’s greatest Greek chefs after opening the San Francisco gem of a restaurant, Kokkari. From perfecting rare delicacies like an open-fire spit-roasted lamb to divulging traditional recipes adapted for the modern kitchen, Cosselmon’s expertise is among the best out there.

My Greek Table: Authentic Flavors and Modern Home Cooking from My Kitchen to Yours by Diane Kochilas

Whether or not you’re familiar with the famous celebrity chef and her show or not, My Greek Table may just be the one must-have book all cooks need to own. Detailed illustrations and beautiful photographs fill the pages of this brilliant discourse on Greek cooking and culinary traditions. There are few books that detail local specialties as diverse or as well, with all regions of Greece covered. 

About the only area covered that has fewer selections than many would hope is the fish, so keep this in mind if you’re not a fan of oceanic flavors, for the compensation in other types of cuisine more than makes up for it. The author is largely considered to be a forerunning authority on Greek food, and this is the very best publication she’s written. 

About The Author: With no less than seventeen Greek cookbooks in circulation, Diane Kochilas is no stranger to fame, and every last aspect of her renown is well-earned. The multi-award-winning author, celebrity chef, and cooking school owner is an expert at making Greece’s gourmet food accessible to American households.

The Complete Book of Greek Cooking: The Recipe Club of St. Paul’s Orthodox Cathedral by Recipe Club of St. Paul’s Church

The Complete Book of Greek Cooking is the definitive cookbook for classic Greek food. Few books can compare to the antiquity of the recipes nor the diversity of the cuisine covered. It’s a massive cookbook that has everything anyone cooking Greek food could ever want to know, with the exception of modern Greek creations, of course. 

The Complete Book of Greek Cooking has everything from complex creations calling for key preparation to quick and easy Greek food. For over thirty years, this book has been instructing avid chefs from Greece itself and all around the world. We highly recommend checking it out if you are devoted to knowing the know-how behind what you’re cooking while at the same time reaping the reward of having recipes for all the traditional iconic meals on-hand. 

About The Author: Just over thirty years ago, members of Saint Paul’s Church collaborated through a recipe club to create the definitive guide to Greek cuisine. Today, their creation still stands as a treasure among cookbooks that details the need for a focus on fresh ingredients, olive oil, and Greece’s culinary traditions brilliantly.

How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking by Michael Psilakis

Classic Greek cooking adapted for the American household is what you’ll find between the pages of How to Roast a Lamb. Recipes are made accessible thanks to the well-selected ingredients and carefully laid out steps. It’s a Greek cookbook that focuses on simplicity and ease of technique, which makes every last recipe a joy to create at home. The vast majority of recipes cater to families or entertainers, offering up considerable portions at the same time. 

Even though the recipes and step-by-step’s are among the best out there, it’s the author’s commentary that helps the reader fall in love with this book. It’s life experience that adds immense value to the expectation and genuine fascination with each delightful dish. If you know the Food Network author, buying this book will be a no-brainer. If not, treat yourself, and you’ll be happy that you did. 

About The Author: “No Kitchen Required” celebrity chef famous for his many moves throughout the culinary world, Michael Psilakis also owns three of the most popular restaurants on Earth. The owner of Kefi, Fishtag, and MP Taverna transposes his essential insight concerning all authentic Greek cooking traditions to paper, and the result is a must-have reference for many chefs.

Orexi!: Feasting at the modern Greek table by Theo A. Michaels

Cooks who value practicality and simplified cooking will fall in love with Orexi!: Feasting at the modern Greek table. The balance of traditional classics and inventive new soon-to-become-favorites is what makes Orexi! stand out. Despite the healthy composition of each meal, every last one is indulgent and delicious. This is a cookbook that shows you not only how to cook Greek food but how to structure meals that are good for you in every way. 

Unlike many Greek cookbooks, this is one that covers a great selection of vegetarian dishes too. From open-fire grills to oven-baked delicacies and desserts, it’s all there with ample recipes to select from, no matter who you may be. Ouzo sours anyone? Yes, even Greek cocktails are there too. 

About The Author: Chef, author, and executive chef Theo A. Michaels, famous for his involvement with the creative dining experiences conjured up by Elsewhere Events, shows the world how to elevate classic Greek cuisine into something modern and accessible. The MasterChef contestant has the know-how needed to instill almost anyone with the wisdom needed to produce great Greek food. 

Ikaria: Lessons on Food, Life, and Longevity from the Greek Island Where People Forget to Die: A Cookbook by Diane Kochilas

Ikaria is a Greek island in the North Aegean Sea that’s famous for its vibrant food culture. As a “blue zone,” it is one of the places on planet Earth where a singular indigenous culture has lived for the longest. Few know the Ikarian lifestyle, as well as the author who lived there most of his life, which translates to a discourse on healthy Greek food culture like no other.

To give you a better idea of the longevity-extending insight granted, even the value of eating together communally is explained in such a way that you grasp the wisdom instantly. 

Almost all the ingredients are easy to find. The instructions couldn’t be better, and the overall culinary guidance is second-to-none. You’ll walk about knowing far more about food than you expected while raising your Greek know-how by leaps and bounds. 

About The Author: Who better to divulge the details of the ever-sought-after Ikarian lifestyle than a culinary queen and treasured cookbook author who has spent most of her life there? Diane Kochilas has many treasured publications, but few carry the whimsical storytelling of Ikaria – a much-needed trait to understand its world and food. 

Cooking Greek: A Classic Greek Cookbook for the At-Home Chef by Pemi Kanavos & Tanya Stamoulis

Cooking Greek: A Classic Greek Cookbook for the At-Home Chef is one of the most beautifully laid out books out of all the titles reviewed. The food photography is not only vibrant and mouthwatering enough to compel anyone to try it but also tastefully picked and placed to best introduce each section and dish. Every meal has a photo which is exactly how one would hope it to be given the exquisite Greek food detailed.

Accompanying the impossible-to-fail recipes, thanks to the insightful guidance, is brief but informative information concerning Greek cuisine and Grecian traditions. It’s the ideal cookbook for those wanting to cook gourmet Greek food but without any chance of going wrong. The instructions and recipe composition make even the most complex regional creations accessible to chefs of all skill levels. 

About The Authors: Chef Pemi Kanavos, a graduate of the culinary arts and one of Boston’s hottest Greek cooking bloggers, collaborates with Vice President of Worldwide Greeks & Greek Boston to create one of the most functional modern Greek cookbooks around. Together, their combined know-how has fruited functional cooking advice that’ll benefit all chefs interested in Grecian cuisine.

Print Only Greek Cookbooks

These cookbooks are not available digitally, but each is a true treasure to own in print. The on-hand guidance and recipes that each provides to anyone interested in Greek cuisine is indispensable. 

The Greek Vegetarian: More Than 100 Recipes Inspired by the Traditional Dishes and Flavors of Greece by Diane Kochilas

Vegetarian Greek cuisine is equally as vibrant as its carnivorous counterparts but just not as well covered, and this is where The Greek Vegetarian shines. After trying just a few recipes, you’ll soon understand the basic construction and techniques needed to produce unforgettable mouthwatering vegetarian Greek meals. The queen of American-Greek cuisine manages to present masterful recipes for all your favorite Mediterranean cuisine with steps and instructions that are impossible to fail. 

The passion with which each recipe is presented makes it clear from the get-go that you’re about to be cooking up something special each and every time. Vegans will be happy to know that plant-based-only meals are in abundance in addition to the vegetarian cuisine. Some may criticize the author for not sticking to strictly traditional recipes, but the adaptations are nothing short of inspiring. 

About The Author: With no less than three cookbooks making our top list, Diane Kochilas is an inspired author of Greek cuisine. If there is one person who knows how to retain the full spectrum of flavor despite transposing classics to vegetarian counterparts, it’s the celebrity chef who’s appeared on everything from Beat Bobby Flay to PBS NewsHour herself. 

Greece, The Cookbook by Vefa Alexiadou

At over 700 pages filled with culinary insight that’s pure gold, Greece, The Cookbook is the top recommendation to own in print. To many (if not most), it is seen as the definitive bible to Greek cooking. Regardless of whether you apply the tips, techniques, and heavenly flavor combinations directly to Greek cuisine or transpose them to other food, it’s a cookbook that you’ll be opening time and time again. 

Very few cookbooks detail Greek culinary traditions as well nor as directly as Greece, The Cookbook. No less than 230 full-color images is accompanying the over seven-hundred recipes spanning the whole of Greece’s localities. Everything from the indexing to the simplicity of each recipe trumps most of the competition, making this a cookbook that’ll never disappoint regardless of the cook’s skill level or degree of interest in Greek cuisine. 

About The Author: There are many inspired Greek authors in publication today, yet out of the greats, there are few held in anywhere near as high regard as Vefa Alexiadou, and for good reason. With no less than thirteen books in publication at the time of writing, the grand dame of Greek cookery, as she is commonly known, could very well be the world’s foremost authority on Greece’s culinary traditions.

The Greek Vegetarian Cookbook by Heather Thomas

The Greek Vegetarian Cookbook is of equal caliber to the previously reviewed masterpiece but better suited to those who have an affinity for cooking instructions only as opposed to leanings and insights conveyed through story. Most of the dishes don’t only deliver fool-proof guidance but several variations on the original conception as well.

Not all of the meat substitutions are what all would call traditional, but they work wonderfully well nonetheless. Not one vegetarian protein alternative results in anything but authentic Greek flavor, mimicking the texture and taste of oh-so-many classic meat dishes. 

About The Author: Multi-featured author Heather Thomas has been paraded by authorities like Bon Appetit and the Los Angeles Times for her superlative Mediterranean cooking know-how. For even more detail concerning indulgent Greek baked delicacies, fans of the author have to pick up the hardcover of Halloumi Cookbook.

Frequently Asked Questions – Greek Cookbooks

Have you been left wondering anything about Greek cookbooks and Grecian cuisine? Here are all the answers you need. 

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