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10 Mediterranean Barbecue Sides and Salads

ByElena Paravantes, MS, RD

10 easy, delicious and healthy Mediterranean side dishes for your summer barbecues.

Cretan orange and avocado salad

Summer is here in our parts and it is barbecue time! Typically in a Greek-Mediterranean diet meat is mostly consumed as a side dish and not that often. That’s what I do as well, red meat is typically a weekend thing and now that it is summer it is often on the barbecue. Chicken, Greek style meat patties and sometimes traditional Greek sausage may be on the menu. But the sides are what is more interesting. I love combining various salads, dips, beans and other veggie side dishes to accompany the meat, not only is it a refreshing break from the meat, but you can balance out the nutritional value of your meal. My top choices are make-ahead dips, salads and simple vegetable dishes that do not require a lot of time.

Here are my top choices:

1. Tzatziki

Tzatziki Recipe #tzatziki #dip #recipe #Greek #appetizer #yogurt

Ok, this is the ultimate dip for meals with meat! Tzatziki is what makes a souvlaki so good. Nothing is better than dipping your meat in some cold, creamy tzatziki. Get the recipe here.

2. Greek Island Parsley Dip

Greek parsley dip

This easy dip takes advantage of this aromatic herb that we often just use as decoration. Great for dipping but also a perfect sauce for your chicken dishes. Get the recipe here.

3. Cool Tzatziki Cucumber Salad

Greek cucumber tzatziki salad

This simple salad combines the spiciness of tzatziki along with refreshing cucumber. Get the recipe here.

4. Greek Salad

Everybody loves a good Greek salad. It is a perfect side to any type of meat dish and uses the best of summer produce. Get the recipe here.

5. Greek Island Potato Salad

Greek island potato salad

If you want to make just one salad, this may be it. It combines potatoes and summer vegetables along with a light yogurt dressing. A perfect accompaniment to any meat. Get the recipe here.

Mediterranean Diet cookbook for beginners

6. Authentic Greek Potato Salad

Greek no-mayo potato salad

This is an easy salad and a favorite. It also does not contain mayonnaise or eggs or any kind of dairy, making ideal for picnics and barbecues in hot weather. Get the recipe here.

7. Cretan Avocado and Orange Salad

Cretan orange and avocado salad

A creative way to use avocado. This -rich in good fats- salad is also nice to serve over chicken. Get the recipe here.

8. Black-Eyed Peas with Honey Vinaigrette

Black-eyed-peas-Mediterranean-honey-vinaigrette

This bean salad of gently cooked black-eyed peas blended with an olive oil-honey dressing is really good and tastes better the next day. Get the recipe here.

9. Lentil and Grape Salad with Feta and Kalamata Olives

Lentil. grape and feta salad


Another bean salad that everyone will like as lentils are paired with olive oil, feta, olives and grapes. Get the recipe here.

10. Spanakopita

hortopita spanakopita

Let’s face it, spanakopita fits everywhere! Greeks always include a spanakopita for any meal for good measure. It is nice as a little appetizer, and is a very welcome dish for those who don’t eat meat. While it takes a bit of more time, you can make it the day before or even a few days before and freeze it. Get the recipe here.

 

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Mediterranean BBQ Sides and Salads

Photos by Elena Paravantes © All Rights Reserved

Elena Paravantes, MS, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist by the U.S. Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). She is an expert on the Mediterranean Diet. She has been active as a clinician, consultant, author and lecturer for 20 years, both in the U.S. and Greece. An expert on the Greek Mediterranean Diet, her interviews and articles have been published in many publications including CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Prevention, NPR, and Shape. Elena has collaborated with a number of organizations including Loyola University, Yale University, University of Missouri, Louisiana State University, and the American College of Greece. Elena earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics and her Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She holds has a Master’s Degree of Science in Health Management.

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11 Comments

  1. Elena,
    Just wanted to say how much I love your website, healthy recipes, and your new cookbook! You inspire me to cook and your recipes make it so fun. Thank you, thank you!
    Mari

    Reply

  2. It’s really amazing content about this topics.It’s great thought to share this types of content and very good. Thanks for sharing this good one.

    Reply

  4. Thank you sending these recipes Elena! I look forward to preparing these for the family. Have great summer!

    Bert

    Reply

  5. I really appreciate your sound advice and guidance. You are keeping me on track with this type of food. I have always enjoyed this way of eating and living. The recipes are easy to follow and the food is delicious.
    Thank You!

    Reply

  6. Hi! I just found your blog while I was on Pinterest looking for Okinawa and Mediterranean diets. Yours seems to be just what I was looking for! I do have a question though. I am vegan and was wondering about your thoughts on substituting all animal ingredients in your recipes. I see that you have many vegan recipes- thanks for all of your help!

    Reply

    1. Hi Linda,

      Mediterranean cuisine and specifically Greek has a huge selection of vegan recipes. Most recipes that include cheese also have a vegan version but no substitutes are used-they just exclude the cheese.

  7. Elena, your blogs are always so inspiring. I love trying out your simple, nutritious and always delicious recipes.

    Reply