I found it in a local Greek restaurant called Fistikies, and I was in luck because the chef was willing to share his authentic recipe for Greek Dolmades. Here’s the link to Fistikies Restaurant, and I strongly advise you to go there if you ever visit Santorini, Greece. 

What are Greek Dolmades?

Greek Dolmades is one of the most popular appetizers in Greek cuisine. Greek Dolmades can be bought in your local store; however, they don’t come even close to these homemade authentic ones. So I don’t advise buying them. 

Nothing can beat their unique taste, and they’re straightforward to make. So,  in this article, we will look at preparing Greek dolmades.

The recipe is a traditional mix of fresh herbs, ground beef, and veggies. Dolmades are not restricted to Greece and are cooked in many Asian countries.

Ingredients

• 1 jar (16 oz) grape leaves in brine

• 1½ cups short grain rice (soaked in water for 15 minutes, then drained)

• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped

• 12 oz lean ground beef

• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth

• 1 tomato, thinly sliced

• ½ cup each: chopped fresh parsley, mint, and dill

• 1 tsp allspice

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

• Extra virgin olive oil

• 4 tsp lemon juice (plus extra for serving)

• Plain yogurt or lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Prep the Grape Leaves

• Drain grape leaves from the brine, rinse well under cold water to remove excess salt, and set aside to drain.

2. Make the Filling

• Soak rice in water for 15 minutes, then drain completely.

• In a skillet, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent.

• Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.

• Season with salt, pepper, allspice, and cumin. Remove from heat and let cool.

• Once the meat mixture has cooled, stir in drained rice, parsley, mint, dill, and 1 Tbsp olive oil. Mix until well combined.

3. Prepare the Pot

• Lightly oil the bottom of a wide, deep skillet or pot.

• Line the bottom with a single layer of grape leaves (use any broken or torn ones).

• Add a layer of sliced tomatoes on top of the grape leaves.

4. Stuff & Roll the Leaves

• Working one at a time, lay a grape leaf shiny-side down. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling near the base.

• Fold in the sides, then roll up tightly but not too tight (rice will expand).

• Repeat with remaining filling and leaves.

5. Assemble & Cook

• Arrange the stuffed grape leaves seam-side down in the pot, tightly packed in layers.

• Place an inverted heat-safe plate on top to keep dolmades from floating.

• Pour hot chicken broth over, just to barely cover the rolls.

• Cover the pot and simmer gently over medium-low heat for 30 minutes.

• Remove lid, drizzle lemon juice evenly over the top, cover again, and cook for another 30 minutes or until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed.

6. Rest & Serve

• Let dolmades rest uncovered for 20–30 minutes to absorb extra liquid and flavors.

• Drizzle with a little olive oil before serving.

• Serve with plain yogurt or lemon wedges. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Don’t overstuff the leaves; rice will expand during cooking.

• Rolling too loose will cause filling to spill; too tight, and the rice may not cook properly—aim for a firm but gentle roll.

• The inverted plate helps keep dolmades compact and evenly cooked.

• The filling or rolled dolmades can be prepped ahead and refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before cooking.

• These are delicious warm or at room temperature.

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FAQs about Greek Dolmades

Can I Make Vegan Greek Dolmades?

Yes, and it is straightforward! In fact, the vegan version of Greek Dolmades also counts as authentic; it’s just a matter of preference. 

So, if you are a vegan, all you need is to make changes to the fillings. Replace the meat with half a cup of rice.

After the onions are cooked, add them to the rice, and then add spices, salt, and pepper. Also, add fresh herbs to it. Mix well and use it for stuffing the grape leaves.

Can I use fresh leaves instead of jar leaves?

If you’ve used fresh leaves instead of a jar, wash them well before using them. You can also run hot water from them. After taking them out of the hot water, cool them and drain them.

How to store the leftovers?

To store the remaining in the fridge, use airtight containers. You can store it for three to four days. It is up to you if you want to enjoy them cold or hot. If you want to reheat them, put them in the skillet and some liquid and cover it. Cook at medium flame until they are hot.

We hope you enjoy these delicious Greek recipes, and we invite you to return to our site to learn more about authentic Greek food. Thank you for your time and attention; we are always happy to serve our audience.