Have you ever wondered how to make a meal of spanakopita? What to eat with spanakopita can be a challenge – but if you look into the rich repertoire of Greek recipes, it’s easy to find the perfect pairing, blending beautifully with the spinach, cheese, and flaky phyllo.
Even those who know nothing about Greek food will already know this classic, just one of an endless array of Greek savory pies. Pita—as the Greeks call the general category of pies—is 100% soul food. It is the dish that home cooks of yore made on both special occasions and Sundays, but also as part of the weekday diet, and today, you’ll still see them on tables across the country.
As with many classic Greek recipes, not every part of Greece enjoys the same repertoire of pies. In some parts of the country, savory pies are akin to the national dish, while in others, just one or two types of pies might be part of the local tradition. Nevertheless, the versatility and flavor of spanakopita make it a favorite everywhere.
Spanakopita is a dish that measures the talent of the cook, requiring adeptness at preparing thin, crisp layers of homemade phyllo and crafting a pie that is both delicate yet filling and flavorful. It helped feed large families when food was scarce, calling for basic ingredients that families almost always had on hand: flour, olive oil, cheese, and greens.
The regions most closely associated with savory pies are those where shepherds roamed, such as Epirus, Thessaly, Roumeli, and parts of Macedonia. These pies developed over the centuries to accommodate the shepherd’s itinerant lifestyle, made with ingredients readily available in the mountains and able to keep well without refrigeration.
Pairing spanakopita with the right soup or salad can take your pie experience to the next level. Here are two main categories of pairings along with recipes to try:
What To Eat with Spanakopita: Spanakopita Paired with Great Greek Soups
Think complete meals here, a soup and a pie, the perfect pair!
I like to consider both the flavors and the color of different foods when I pair them, so anything that counters the earthy golden hues of a spanakopita phyllo crust and its dark green interior work well.
One favorite, especially as we head into the spring is a Greek Salad Gazpacho, which has all the delicious freshness of the classic Greek salad, but is pureed into a thick and satisfying soup, which you can serve chilled, too.
Tahini Carrot Soup with Greek Honey is a creamy and flavorful soup that complements the earthy tones of spanakopita while adding a touch of sweetness from Greek honey. The nuttiness of tahini brings even more depth to these already great flavors.
And this Vegetable Soup with Borlotti Beans, Spinach, and Parmesan is a hearty vegetable soup with beans and spinach that brings warmth and comfort to your meal. I love the combination of flavors and textures, a beautiful pair with the crispy layers of spanakopita.
What To Eat with Spanakopita: Spanakopita and Delicious Greek Salad Recipes
A classic Greek salad with a twist, my recipe for Greek Salad with Chickpeas, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Feta incorporates protein-rich chickpeas for added texture and flavor. The freshness of the vegetables and the tanginess of the feta cheese will provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of spanakopita!
If you’re looking for something light and crisp to pair with a wedge of spanakopita, you’ll find it in this easy, quick carrot salad! And for something crispy, crunchy but a little unusual, you might think about pairing a piece of spanakpita with this cauliflower and kiwi salad!
And the grilled zucchini in this Ikaria-Style Zucchini Salad adds a smoky flavor to this vibrant salad, while the combination of herbs and lemon juice adds brightness. This salad offers a lighter counterpart to the indulgent spanakopita.
