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Authentic Greek Moussaka Recipe. Traditional Dish from Athens (Step-by-Step): Discover how to make this classic Greek favorite!

Updated: 1 hour ago

What is Moussaka?

Short answer

Authentic Greek moussaka is a traditional baked dish made with layers of eggplant, potatoes, minced meat, and creamy béchamel sauce.


authentic Greek moussaka
Authentic Greek Moussaka

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Below discover our recipe for authentic Greek Moussaka. Most of the travellers awkward it as the most light and tasteful moussaka they ever had!


Ingredients for Authentic Greek Moussaka

500 grams minced beef

500 grams minced pork

4 medium-sized potatoes

4 large zucchinis

6 large eggplants

4 garlic cloves, chopped

2 medium-sized onions, chopped

200 ml dry red wine

400 ml tomato sauce

300 ml chicken stock

200 grams grated Graviera cheese (can be replaced with Parmesan or Pecorino)

3 tbsp. olive oil

1 cinnamon stick

2 bay leaves

2 tbsp. oregano

1 tsp. grated nutmeg

Salt & pepper

Sunflower oil for frying


How to make Greek Moussaka (step by step)

Preparing the meat Sauce

Sauté the meat on high heat, add the onion and the garlic and stir for 2 minutes. Pour in the wine, stir until the alcohol has evaporated and then add the tomato sauce and the chicken stock. Add the cinnamon stick, the bay leaves, 1 tablespoon of oregano, and salt and pepper. Lower the heat to medium and simmer for 45 minutes. Add more liquid (wine, stock or even water) if it starts to dry out.

Preparing the Vegetables

Cut the potatoes, the zucchini, and the eggplant into slices about ¼ inch thick. Fry the potatoes in the sunflower oil for 2 minutes, then place them on a plate covered with paper towels to let the fat drain off. Repeat with the zucchinis and eggplants, frying them each separately for 1 minute. Place the potatoes in a baking pan, add a little bit of salt, pepper, nutmeg, the rest of the oregano, and the grated Graviera cheese and put the baking pan in a preheated oven at 190⁰C for 10 minutes. Add the zucchinis and eggplants and repeat, and finally, scoop the cooked meat on top of the vegetables and set aside while you make the sauce.

Making the Béchamel Sauce

To make the sauce, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the flour and stir on low heat until it turns golden-brown. Warm the milk in a separate pot and then pour it continuously into the flour mixture while stirring constantly. Cook on medium-low heat for 4–5 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg while stirring. Add some Graviera cheese and pour the sauce over the meat.

Final Assembly & Baking

Finally, grate some extra cheese on top and bake it in the oven for 40–50 min at 190⁰C.

Tips for the Best Moussaka

  • Prepare the vegetables from the previous day! This tip helps you to make your moussaka more lightful and not so much heavy for your stomach!

  • Enjoy with a side salad or some homemade tzatziki dip!


More Recipes Please...

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Cookbook cover titled Cook Like A Greek by Giannis Kalatzis features bread, moussaka, wine, and olive oil. Text: "30 famous recipes by a local chef".

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FAQ

What is traditional Greek moussaka?

Traditional Greek moussaka is a layered dish made with eggplant, potatoes, minced meat, and béchamel sauce, baked until golden.

Can I make moussaka without frying?

Yes, you can bake the vegetables instead of frying them for a lighter version.

What meat is used in moussaka?

Traditionally a mix of beef and pork is used.

How long does moussaka last?

It can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.


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