Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip) (2024)

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Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip) (1)

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Encapsulate the essence of Greek cooking with this traditional Greek melitzanosalata recipe! Aflavourful Greek eggplant dip, whichis the perfect addition to your meze platter, a delicious side for a meaty dish or just on its own!This is the simplest, no fuss version of the traditional Greek melitzanosalata recipe with only three very simple, straightforward steps to follow.

In Greece, melitzanosalata is served as part of a meze platter together with some tzatziki, hummus, taramasalata, talatouri,tirokafteri (spicy feta cheese dip), fava (Yellow Split Peas Puree)and some delicious beef meatballs and lamb meatballs. Of course also by itself, with warm crusted bread or pita bread.

Melitzanosalata recipe (Greek Eggplant dip) –Tips

When preparing this traditional Greek melitzanosalata recipe,make sure you use some fresh aubergines and give them enough time to bake until soft and cooked throughout. If rushed, the aubergines can be quite bitter and the aubergine skin will not have had a chance to infuse the flesh with its light, smoky flavor.

Baking the eggplants will take about 50-60 minutes, depending on the size of the eggplants, so if you are in a rush you can bake them sliced (as explained in the recipe below).

For a different twist to this traditional Greek melitzanosalata recipe, try adding some crumbled feta (50-60g/2oz), which will give it a creamier look and a more intense, salty, Mediterranean flavour.

For the traditional Greek melitzanosalata recipe, the eggplants are added either diced, which gives more homely touch or all the ingredients are pulsed together, until smooth and creamy. Both alternatives are delicious, so it’s up to you to decide!

This traditional Greek eggplantdip (melitzanosalata) is best served with some crusty breador homemade pitas and also as part of a meze platter with some spicy feta cheese dip. Enjoy!

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Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip) (2)

Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip)

Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip) (3)Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip) (4)Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip) (5)Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip) (6)Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip) (7) (702 votes, average: 4.72 out of 5)
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  • Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 60 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 portions 1x
  • Category: Dips
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Greek
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Description

Capture the essence of Greek cooking with this traditional Greek melitzanosalata (eggplant dip) recipe. This is the simplest, no fuss version of the traditional Greek melitzanosalata recipe with only three very simple, straightforward steps to follow.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 4 largepurple eggplants
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 125 ml olive oil (1/2 cup)
  • 4 tablespoons lemon juice
  • sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

  1. To prepare this super easy melitzanosalata recipe (Greek eggplant dip), start by baking the eggplants in a preheated oven at 200C. You could either bake them whole or sliced in half length-wise, depending on how much time you’ve got to bake them. If you choose to bake them whole, use a fork to make some wholes on the aubergines, place on a tray and bake for about 1 hour.
  2. For this melitzanosalata recipe you need to use only the flesh of the eggplants. Peel the eggplants and dice the pulp.
  3. Place the pulp and the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and vigorously mix with a wooden spoon. (If you prefer your melitzanosalata to have a creamier texture, then add the ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse, adding the olive oil gradually on a steady stream. Alternatively mash the eggplants using a fork). Let the melitzanosalata (Greek eggplant dip) cool down and put in the fridge to allow the flavours to mingle.
  4. Serve the melitzanosalata in a small bowl garnished with a whole black olive. Enjoy!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 201kcal
  • Sugar: 10.2g
  • Sodium: 297.4mg
  • Fat: 15.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12.4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 17.5g
  • Fiber: 8.4g
  • Protein: 2.9g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Melitzanosalata, Greek eggplant dip recipe, Greek roasted aubergine dip

Recipe image gallery:

Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip) (13)

Melitzanosalata (Aubergine salad dip)

5 Comments

  1. Antoinette

    April 12, 2022 at 06:43 ·Reply

    Thank you for this simple to make eggplant dip! I have made it with the lady of eggplants on our plant and now realize that we can’t have it all just now ….once it’s all prepared , can I freeze it for a a couple weeks ? Thank you in advance , cheers A

  2. T

    June 15, 2022 at 19:45 ·Reply

    Antoinette,
    I wouldn’t freeze anything with such a high water content. You could gift some leftovers to a neighbor. The recipe can be halved in the future.

  3. Andrea

    November 18, 2022 at 10:23 ·Reply

    I made this with one eggplant in an Air Fryer. Did it the rustic way, just chopped. Fantastic! Ate the whole bowl for lunch. Thanks so much!

  4. Anita Criticos

    August 10, 2023 at 15:40 ·Reply

    Very good, Love it!!!

  5. Robert

    October 17, 2023 at 06:42 ·Reply

    So Happy to find you… As I love Greek food… many years eating in Malibu at Taverna Tony,

    Your food,is such a great reminder of the flavours I had enjoyed , now I live in Bali , and have missed the quality that you have captured,,that I can now enjoy here

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Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip) (14)

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Melitzanosalata recipe (Traditional Greek Eggplant dip) (2024)

FAQs

What is the Greek dip made from eggplant? ›

Melitzanosalata is a simple, rustic Greek eggplant dip made with roasted, perfectly smoky eggplant with garlic, parsley, red onions, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. It's the perfect appetizer with pita or your favorite bread; or serve it next to grilled meats or even fish.

What is the name of a Middle Eastern dip made from roasted eggplants? ›

Classic baba ganoush is made by roasting eggplants until soft, scooping out the insides, and mashing with tahini, garlic, and spices. Served with pita or cracker, this eggplant dip is a great snack or party appetizer. Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019.

What is the Greek word for eggplant? ›

It is derived from two Greek words - melitzana (eggplant) and salata (salad), which translates as eggplant salad. Summer is the season for eggplant, and this is one of my favourite dips to make with eggplant.

What are Greek dips? ›

Best Greek Dips
  • Tirokafteri. It's the second most famous dip after Tzatziki. ...
  • Taramosalata. The Greek dip, Taramosalata consists primarily of mashed potatoes or bread, combined with lemon juice, olive oil, and fish roe. ...
  • Tzatziki. ...
  • Skordalia. ...
  • Melitzanosalata.

Why is my eggplant dip bitter? ›

Undercooked eggplant is often bitter, especially if you're using a thick-skinned globe eggplant commonly found at most grocery stores. Peel the skin or taste and cook the eggplant for a little longer if that's the case.

What is Greek dip made of? ›

Tzatziki is a creamy cucumber yogurt dip (or sauce) made from simple ingredients including strained yogurt (or Greek yogurt), cucumbers, garlic, and sometimes fresh herbs such as dill or mint. Traditionally, it is made from strained sheep or goat's milk yogurt, but a full-fat Greek yogurt works just fine in this dip.

What's in the roasted eggplant dip at Cava? ›

Roasted eggplant that's emulsified with olive oil and lemon juice. Plus, parsley, onions, garlic. Sleeper hit!

Why is baba ganoush so good? ›

Central to Baba Ganoush is the eggplant, charred to perfection to imbue the dip with its characteristic smoky flavor. Combined with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs, the result is a richly layered dip that's both complex and comforting.

What's the difference between moutabel and baba ganoush? ›

The principle difference is the tahini – the sesame purée, but there are others. In Moutabbal, tahini is mixed with the smoked aubergine to create a paste-like dip served with warmed or crispy bread. In Baba Ghanoush, no tahini is used and the smoked aubergine is mixed with onions, tomatoes and other vegetables.

What is the old name for eggplant? ›

Translated into English as 'mad-apple', 'rage-apple', or 'raging apple', this name for eggplants is attested from 1578 and the form 'mad-apple' may still be found in Southern American English.

What is the Caribbean word for eggplant? ›

Baigan Choka! Eggplant is referred to as baigan in Trinidad and Guyana. It is also referred to as Balanjay in Guyana.

What is the most popular sauce in Greece? ›

Tzatziki. Tzatziki is mainly used as a dip, but it's also a famous dipping sauce that accompanies meat dishes, crackers, pita, and other meze dishes. It is also most famously known for its place in gyros. In Greece, restaurants often bring homemade tzatziki to your table with bread as an appetizer.

What is Mediterranean dip made of? ›

Spread hummus on top. Mix tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and red onion together in a bowl; spread over the hummus. Sprinkle feta cheese on top. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

What is the difference between Tirokafteri and tzatziki? ›

The tirokafteri is robustly spicy, whipped feta tinged red and flecked with chili. As with creaminess—I can't suss. And the tzatziki is richer and thicker than any I've ever had, with no obvious explanation. I dredge hunks of bread through them.

What's the difference between hummus and baba ganoush? ›

One main difference between baba ganoush and hummus is baba ganoush's main ingredient, which is eggplant. In hummus, chickpeas are the primary ingredient. Although the difference seems simple, it makes a huge difference in the taste. Baba ganoush has an earthy taste while hummus has a more nutty tone.

What is the difference between baba ganoush and eggplant mutabal? ›

So, what's the difference between mutabal and baba ghanoush? Well, it seems that the big difference is the use of tahini: Mutabal calls for it, while Baba Ganoush doesn't. In addition, baba ganoush usually includes chopped vegetables, such as tomato, pepper, and garlic mixed with pomegranate molasses.

What is baba ganoush dip made of? ›

Baba ganoush is a Mediterranean eggplant dip made from roasted or grilled eggplant, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Like hummus, it's delicious with pita or fresh veggies, but its silky texture and irresistible smoky flavor set it apart. This baba ganoush recipe is a must-try summer dip!

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