15 Mediterranean Dinners That Feel Like Vacation

The Mediterranean diet is not only a healthy way to eat but also a celebration of vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and a relaxed way of life.

Inspired by countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain, these 15 Mediterranean dinners bring the sunshine, sea, and laid-back vibes straight to your kitchen. Whether you’re looking for fresh seafood, hearty grains, or simple yet flavorful vegetable dishes, these meals will transport you to a vacation-worthy dining experience.

These recipes are easy to make, packed with nutritious ingredients, and guaranteed to make you feel like you’re enjoying a Mediterranean getaway from the comfort of your own home.

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1. Greek Chicken Souvlaki

This classic Greek dish features juicy chicken marinated in a tangy lemon and herb sauce, served with warm pita and a side of tzatziki sauce for a refreshing, flavorful meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (cut into cubes)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 pita bread
• 1/2 cup tzatziki sauce

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate the chicken cubes in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
3. Grill or sauté chicken until fully cooked.
4. Serve with pita and tzatziki sauce.

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2. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

This Mediterranean quinoa salad is packed with fresh veggies, olives, feta cheese, and a light lemon-olive oil dressing, making it a healthy and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa (cooked)
• 1 cup cucumber (diced)
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives (pitted and chopped)
• 1/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and feta.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then toss to combine.
3. Season with salt and pepper, and serve chilled or at room temperature.

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3. Grilled Salmon with Lemon and Dill

This Mediterranean-inspired grilled salmon is topped with a zesty lemon and dill sauce, making it a light yet flavorful dish perfect for a warm evening.

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Brush salmon with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
2. Grill salmon for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through.
3. Top with fresh dill and lemon slices before serving.

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4. Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)

Spanakopita is a delicious Greek pastry made with a flaky filo crust, filled with a mixture of spinach, feta cheese, and herbs, making it a savory, vegetarian-friendly meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb spinach (washed and chopped)
• 1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• 1/2 onion (chopped)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dill
• 8 sheets filo dough
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté spinach and onion in olive oil until the spinach wilts.
2. Remove from heat, add feta, dill, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
3. Layer filo sheets in a baking dish, brushing each with olive oil.
4. Spread the spinach mixture on top and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until golden and crisp.

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5. Mediterranean Chickpea Stew

This Mediterranean chickpea stew is a hearty and nutritious dish filled with chickpeas, tomatoes, and a blend of Mediterranean spices, making it a comforting dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until softened.
2. Stir in cumin and paprika, cooking for 1 minute.
3. Add chickpeas and diced tomatoes, and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper and serve with crusty bread.

6. Mediterranean Baked Cod

This Mediterranean baked cod is seasoned with a mix of garlic, olive oil, and lemon, then baked to perfection, making it a light and healthy dish that feels gourmet.

Ingredients:

• 2 cod fillets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 1 lemon (sliced)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place cod fillets on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Sprinkle minced garlic over the fillets and arrange lemon slices on top.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until fish flakes easily. Garnish with parsley and serve.

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7. Mediterranean Veggie Flatbreads

These Mediterranean veggie flatbreads are topped with roasted vegetables, hummus, and feta cheese, creating a colorful and satisfying meal with a Mediterranean flair.

Ingredients:

• 4 whole wheat flatbreads
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 zucchini (sliced)
• 1/2 red onion (sliced)
• 1/4 cup hummus
• 1/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange veggies on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
2. Roast for 15-20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
3. Spread hummus on flatbreads, top with roasted veggies and feta, and serve.

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8. Falafel with Tahini Sauce

This classic Middle Eastern dish features crispy, golden falafel made from chickpeas, herbs, and spices, served with a creamy tahini sauce for added flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup tahini

Instructions:

1. Blend chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, garlic, cumin, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth.
2. Form into small balls and fry in hot oil for 3-4 minutes until crispy.
3. Mix tahini with water to create a sauce. Serve falafel with tahini sauce and veggies.

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9. Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Yogurt Sauce

These grilled lamb chops are marinated in garlic and herbs, then served with a refreshing mint yogurt sauce that adds a tangy, Mediterranean touch.

Ingredients:

• 4 lamb chops
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp rosemary (chopped)
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp fresh mint (chopped)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Marinate lamb chops with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes.
2. Grill lamb chops over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
3. Mix Greek yogurt with mint and a pinch of salt. Serve lamb chops with the yogurt sauce.

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10. Greek Lemon Rice with Roasted Vegetables

This Greek-style lemon rice, flavored with fresh lemon and herbs, pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables for a wholesome and aromatic meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice (long grain or basmati)
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup mixed roasted vegetables (e.g., zucchini, bell peppers)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook rice according to package instructions using vegetable broth for extra flavor.
2. Stir in lemon juice, zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Serve rice with roasted vegetables on top.

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11. Mediterranean Shrimp and Couscous

This Mediterranean shrimp and couscous dish is light yet filling, featuring tender shrimp and couscous tossed in a lemony garlic dressing, topped with fresh herbs.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1 cup couscous
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 lemon (juiced)
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook couscous according to package instructions.
2. Sauté shrimp in olive oil and garlic until pink, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Toss cooked couscous with shrimp, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper. Serve hot.

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12. Hummus-Stuffed Chicken Breast

This juicy chicken breast is stuffed with a creamy hummus filling, offering a Mediterranean twist on a classic chicken dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1/4 cup hummus
• 1/4 cup spinach (chopped)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Slice a pocket in each chicken breast and stuff with hummus and spinach.
3. Season with salt and pepper, then sear in a hot pan with olive oil.
4. Bake for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

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13. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

This Mediterranean chickpea salad is packed with protein-rich chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and a lemony dressing, making it a perfect light dinner or side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
• 1 cucumber (diced)
• 1/2 red onion (chopped)
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives (sliced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano

Instructions:

1. Combine chickpeas, cucumber, red onion, and olives in a bowl.
2. Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano. Toss to combine.
3. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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14. Baked Feta with Cherry Tomatoes

This simple baked feta dish, with juicy cherry tomatoes and olive oil, is a Mediterranean classic that’s full of flavor and incredibly easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

• 1 block feta cheese
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place feta cheese and cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper, and bake for 15-20 minutes.
4. Serve with crusty bread for dipping.

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15. Grilled Veggie Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce

These grilled veggie skewers are a light, flavorful Mediterranean dinner, paired with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce for dipping.

Ingredients:

• 1 zucchini (sliced)
• 1 red bell pepper (cut into chunks)
• 1/2 red onion (cut into chunks)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp cucumber (grated)
• 1 tsp garlic (minced)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill. Thread zucchini, bell pepper, and onion onto skewers.
2. Brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill for 5-7 minutes on each side.
3. Mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, and garlic to make tzatziki sauce. Serve with grilled veggies.