10+ Greek Soup Recipes for Cozy Days
Greek soups offer a warm and comforting way to experience the rich flavors of Mediterranean cuisine. Most of these recipes feature fresh ingredients and simple cooking methods, making them perfect for any home cook. Whether you’re looking for a hearty chicken soup or a lighter, vegetarian option, there’s something in the world of Greek soups for everyone.
From rich avgolemono to hearty lentil soup, each dish offers a unique taste of Greece. You can enjoy these soups as a starter or a main course, and they’re great for sharing with family and friends. With a few basic ingredients and simple techniques, you’ll be able to bring a bit of Greece into your own kitchen.
1) Avgolemono (Greek Lemon Chicken Soup)
Avgolemono is a classic Greek soup that combines chicken, lemon, and egg. It’s creamy and comforting, perfect for chilly days or when you need a little warmth.
To make this soup, you start with a rich chicken broth. The key ingredients include fresh lemon juice, egg yolks, and tender rice. These combine to create a soothing dish that’s both light and hearty.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs or 1.4-1.8 kg)
- 6 cups chicken broth (1.4 L)
- 1 cup arborio rice (200 g)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup lemon juice (120 ml)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh dill (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pot, boil the chicken in the chicken broth until fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Add the rice to the broth and cook until tender.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and lemon juice together.
- Gradually add some broth to the egg mixture to temper it.
- Stir the tempered mixture back into the pot.
- Return the shredded chicken to the soup and heat gently.
- Season with salt, pepper, and dill if desired. Enjoy!
2) Fasolada (Greek Bean Soup)
Fasolada is a hearty Greek bean soup that is both delicious and easy to make. It’s a perfect choice for a comforting meal, especially during cold weather. This soup combines white beans with fresh vegetables, creating a healthy dish.
The base of fasolada includes tomatoes, onions, garlic, and olive oil. You might also add carrots and celery for extra flavor. This simple soup is not only warm and filling, but it’s also budget-friendly, making it great for families.
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 celery ribs, chopped
- 2 large carrots, sliced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained
- 4 cups vegetable broth (1 liter)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
- Stir in celery and carrots, cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Add diced tomatoes, white beans, and vegetable broth.
- Simmer for 20-30 minutes, allowing flavors to mix.
- Season with salt and pepper before serving.
3) Hortosoupa (Greek Vegetable Soup)
Hortosoupa is a warm and comforting Greek vegetable soup. It’s packed with fresh vegetables, making it a healthy choice. You can enjoy it any time of the year.
This soup typically includes onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Using extra virgin olive oil adds flavor and richness. Tomatoes give it a nice color and taste.
You can cook the vegetables until they are tender. This soup is light yet satisfying. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or a simple lunch.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. (450 g) onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 4 – 5 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 lb. (680 g) carrots, chopped
- 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable broth
- 2 cups (480 ml) tomatoes, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat.
- Add onions and garlic; sauté until soft.
- Stir in carrots and cook for a few minutes.
- Add tomatoes and vegetable broth.
- Simmer for 20-30 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper before serving. Enjoy!
4) Magiritsa (Greek Easter Soup)
Magiritsa is a beloved Greek soup, often enjoyed during Easter celebrations. It is made with tender lamb and a mix of flavorful herbs. The dish features a creamy avgolemono sauce, which combines eggs and lemon.
This soup can include ingredients like lamb offal, although some versions use lamb shanks for a milder flavor. Fresh romaine lettuce adds a nice touch and texture to the dish.
You can easily make this comforting soup at home to celebrate the holiday or simply enjoy it any time of year.
Ingredients
- 500g lamb liver
- 250g beef liver (optional)
- 250g diced lamb
- 1 lamb heart (optional)
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh herbs (dill, parsley)
- 3 eggs
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Boil water in a large pot over high heat.
- Add the lamb liver, beef liver, lamb, and heart if using.
- Cook for about 10-15 minutes, skimming off foam.
- Add chopped onion, garlic, and herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped romaine lettuce.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs and lemon juice together.
- Slowly add some hot broth to the egg mixture to temper it.
- Slowly stir the egg mixture into the soup. Serve hot.
5) Kotosoupa Avgolemono (Chicken Soup with Lemon)
Kotosoupa Avgolemono is a comforting Greek dish that combines tender chicken, rice, and a delicious lemon-egg sauce. This soup is perfect for chilly days or when you’re feeling under the weather.
To make this soup, you will need to start with fresh chicken pieces. Boil them until they are cooked through. Add short-grain rice for a creamy texture as it simmers.
The star ingredient is the avgolemono sauce, made from egg yolks and lemon juice. This sauce is whisked in at the end to give the soup a rich, silky finish.
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg whole chicken or chicken pieces
- 1 cup short grain or Arborio rice
- 2 liters of water
- 2 egg yolks
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil.
- Add chicken pieces and simmer until cooked.
- Remove chicken and set aside to cool.
- Stir in rice and cook until tender.
- Whisk egg yolks with lemon juice.
- Once rice is cooked, return chicken to pot.
- Slowly stir in the egg-lemon mixture.
- Season with salt and pepper before serving.
6) Kreatosoupa (Meat Soup)
Kreatosoupa is a traditional Greek meat soup that is perfect for chilly days. This delicious soup is made with tender chunks of beef and a variety of vegetables. It’s comforting and packs a lot of flavor.
You can customize Kreatosoupa with your favorite vegetables, making it versatile. A squeeze of lemon adds a nice touch to brighten the flavors.
This soup is simple to make and is ideal for family gatherings. Serve it warm and enjoy a taste of Greece right at your table.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef, cut into chunks
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 6 cups water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon juice
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pot, add the beef and onion. Sauté until browned.
- Add water and bring to a boil.
- Add carrots, potatoes, and celery.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Simmer for about 1.5 hours at 300°F (150°C).
- Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon juice on top.
7) Psarosoupa (Greek Fish Soup)
Psarosoupa is a traditional Greek fish soup that warms you up on cold days. It combines fresh fish, vegetables, and a splash of lemon for a delightful taste.
You start by choosing your fish, like grey mullet or sea bass. Fresh vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, and onions add flavor and texture.
To give it richness, you can add an avgolemono mixture, which is a blend of eggs and lemon juice. This thickens the soup and adds a creamy touch.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh fish (grey mullet or sea bass)
- 3 large carrots, sliced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cups water
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook until soft.
- Stir in carrots and tomatoes, cooking for a few minutes.
- Add water, fish, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 20-30 minutes until fish is cooked.
- Mix eggs and lemon juice, then gently stir into the soup.
- Serve hot with crusty bread.
8) Trahana Soup (with Sour Milk)
Trahana soup is a traditional dish that brings warmth and comfort. It uses sour trahana, a unique grain made from fermented milk and wheat. The tangy flavor of the sour milk gives this soup its distinct taste.
To make this soup, you’ll typically combine the trahana with water, some vegetables, and spices. This hearty dish is often enjoyed during colder months and is great for using up leftover dairy products.
You can enhance the soup by adding feta cheese for creaminess or even a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor. It’s a tasty way to explore Greek cuisine!
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour trahana
- 6 cups water
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Salt to taste
- 6 ounces feta cheese (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- In a pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent.
- Stir in the sour trahana.
- Pour in the water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Add salt to taste.
- Serve hot, topped with crumbled feta if desired.
9) Youvarlakia Avgolemono (Meatball Soup)
Youvarlakia Avgolemono is a tasty Greek meatball soup. It features tender meatballs cooked in a rich broth. The soup gets its creamy texture from a mix of egg and lemon, making it unique and flavorful.
To make this dish, you will use ground meat, rice, and a blend of herbs. It’s comforting and perfect for family meals. You can enjoy it with warm bread for a satisfying experience.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) ground meat (beef or chicken)
- 1/2 cup (90 g) rice
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 large egg
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 6 cups (1.4 L) chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- In a bowl, mix ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs.
- Boil the chicken broth in a large pot.
- Add meatballs and simmer until cooked through, about 20 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk egg and lemon juice together.
- Gradually add broth to the egg mix, stirring constantly.
- Pour the egg mixture into the pot and stir well.
10) Revithosoupa (Chickpea Soup)
Revithosoupa is a delicious Greek chickpea soup that’s perfect for any meal. It’s hearty and healthy, making it a great choice for a comforting dinner. The soup is simple to make and packed with flavor.
You start by soaking dried chickpeas overnight. Once they’re softened, sauté onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil. Then, add garlic for extra flavor and combine with the chickpeas. Season with lemon juice and oregano for a fresh taste.
Let the soup simmer until everything is tender. This soup can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Ingredients
- 14 oz (400 grams) dried chickpeas
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1-2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Soak chickpeas in water overnight.
- The next day, drain and rinse the chickpeas.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Then, add chickpeas and vegetable broth.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Let it simmer for 40-50 minutes or until the chickpeas are tender.
- Stir in lemon juice and oregano, and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve warm and enjoy!