The Eastern Cross/Guides/Fasting recipes

For Great Lent, the Nativity Fast and every Wednesday and Friday

Orthodox Fasting Recipes

227 dishes from Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Romanian, Georgian and Lebanese kitchens, sorted by what each fast day allows.

Wine & oil days

Fasolada

Φασολάδα

2 h · serves 6 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Gigantes Plaki

Γίγαντες πλακί

2 h 50 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Fakes

1 h · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Revithia

Ρεβίθια σούπα

1 h 40 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Revithada

Ρεβιθάδα Σίφνου

4 h 10 min · serves 6 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Spanakorizo

Σπανακόρυζο

45 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Prassorizo

Πρασόρυζο

50 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lahanorizo

Λαχανόρυζο

50 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Briam

1 h 40 min · serves 6 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Imam Bayildi

Ιμάμ μπαϊλντί

1 h 25 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Fasolakia Ladera

Φασολάκια λαδερά

1 h 5 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Bamies

Μπάμιες λαδερές

1 h 25 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Arakas Laderos

Αρακάς λαδερός

50 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Anginares a la Polita

Αγκινάρες αλά πολίτα

1 h 10 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Gemista

Γεμιστά νηστίσιμα

1 h 55 min · serves 6 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Dolmadakia

Ντολμαδάκια γιαλαντζί

1 h 50 min · serves 6 · Greek

Horta Vrasta

Χόρτα βραστά

25 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Village Salad

Χωριάτικη νηστίσιμη

15 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Tomatokeftedes

Ντοματοκεφτέδες

40 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Fava

55 min · serves 6 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Melitzanosalata

Μελιτζανοσαλάτα

50 min · serves 6 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Skordalia

Σκορδαλιά

35 min · serves 6 · Greek

Taramosalata

Ταραμοσαλάτα

15 min · serves 8 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lagana

45 min · serves 8 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Htapodi Xidato

Χταπόδι ξιδάτο

1 h 15 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Kalamarakia Tiganita

Καλαμαράκια τηγανητά

35 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Garides Saganaki

Γαρίδες σαγανάκι νηστίσιμες

30 min · serves 2 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Mydopilafo

Μυδοπίλαφο

50 min · serves 4 · Greek

Psari Plaki

Ψάρι πλακί

55 min · serves 4 · Greek

Bakaliaros Skordalia

Μπακαλιάρος σκορδαλιά

45 min · serves 4 · Greek

Sardeles sto Fourno

Σαρδέλες στο φούρνο

40 min · serves 4 · Greek

Gavros Marinatos

Γαύρος μαρινάτος

30 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Mavromatika Salad

Μαυρομάτικα σαλάτα

45 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Patates Lemonates

Πατάτες λεμονάτες

1 h 25 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Mushroom Kritharoto

Κριθαρότο με μανιτάρια

35 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Halvas Simigdali

Χαλβάς σιμιγδαλένιος

35 min · serves 8 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Melomakarona

Μελομακάρονα

1 h 5 min · serves 40 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Tahinopita

Ταχινόπιτα

1 h · serves 12 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Koulourakia

Νηστίσιμα κουλουράκια

50 min · serves 40 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Borscht

Пісний борщ

1 h 10 min · serves 6 · Ukrainian

Wine & oil days

Lenten Shchi

Постные щи

1 h 10 min · serves 6 · Russian

Mushroom Barley Soup

Грибной суп с перловкой

1 h 15 min · serves 6 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Vinegret

Винегрет

1 h 10 min · serves 6 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Buckwheat with Mushrooms

Гречка с грибами

40 min · serves 4 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Potato Varenyky

Вареники з картоплею

1 h 20 min · serves 6 · Ukrainian

Wine & oil days

Cabbage Pirozhki

Постные пирожки с капустой

1 h 5 min · serves 12 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Lenten Golubtsy

Постные голубцы

1 h 45 min · serves 6 · Russian

Kutia

1 h 50 min · serves 8 · Ukrainian

Uzvar

25 min · serves 8 · Ukrainian

Ukha

55 min · serves 4 · Russian

Herring with Potatoes

Селёдка с картошкой

35 min · serves 4 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Prebranac

Пребранац

2 h 20 min · serves 6 · Serbian

Wine & oil days

Posni Pasulj

Посни пасуљ

2 h 15 min · serves 6 · Serbian

Wine & oil days

Ajvar

2 h · serves 10 · Serbian

Wine & oil days

Fasole Bătută

Fasole bătută

1 h 30 min · serves 6 · Romanian

Wine & oil days

Zacuscă

2 h · serves 10 · Romanian

Wine & oil days

Sarmale de Post

Sarmale de post

3 h · serves 8 · Romanian

Vegetable Ciorbă

Ciorbă de legume

1 h · serves 6 · Romanian

Mămăligă

35 min · serves 4 · Romanian

Wine & oil days

Bob Chorba

Боб чорба

1 h 55 min · serves 6 · Bulgarian

Wine & oil days

Lobio

ლობიო

1 h 45 min · serves 4 · Georgian

Spinach Pkhali

ისპანახის ფხალი

30 min · serves 6 · Georgian

Wine & oil days

Badrijani Nigvzit

ბადრიჯანი ნიგვზით

50 min · serves 6 · Georgian

Wine & oil days

Ajapsandali

აჯაფსანდალი

1 h 5 min · serves 4 · Georgian

Wine & oil days

Mujaddara

1 h · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Hummus

حمص بطحينة

1 h 40 min · serves 6 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Falafel

40 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Fattoush

30 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Tabbouleh

25 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Baba Ghanoush

بابا غنوج

50 min · serves 6 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Loubieh bi Zeit

لوبية بزيت

55 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Shorbat Adas

شوربة عدس

45 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Ful Medames

فول مدمس

25 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Manakish Za’atar

مناقيش زعتر

30 min · serves 6 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Koupepia

Κουπέπια νηστίσιμα

1 h 50 min · serves 6 · Cypriot

Oil-Free Red Lentil Soup

For the strict weekdays of Lent

45 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Oil-Free Lemon Potatoes

Crisp-edged potatoes with no oil

1 h 10 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Roasted Spiced Chickpeas

Crunchy snack for strict days

45 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Monastery Vegetable Soup

Plain, warming soup with no oil

55 min · serves 6 · Everyday

Lenten Oat Porridge

Breakfast with water, fruit and nuts

10 min · serves 2 · Everyday

Tomato Rice Soup

Ντοματόσουπα με ρύζι

35 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Shrimp and Lemon Salad

Shellfish without oil for strict days

15 min · serves 2 · Everyday

Dried Fruit Compote

Κομπόστα

25 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Wine & oil days

Tahini Halva Plate

5 min · serves 6 · Everyday

Lenten Split Pea Soup

Постный гороховый суп

1 h 20 min · serves 6 · Russian

Oil-Free Bean Chili

Hearty black bean and tomato stew

55 min · serves 6 · Everyday

Bean and Pasta Soup

Thick soup of beans, small pasta and tomato

45 min · serves 6 · Everyday

Baked Sweet Potatoes

With cinnamon and a little honey

55 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Oil-Free Chickpea Spread

Hummus-style dip with no tahini or oil

10 min · serves 6 · Everyday

Cucumber and Tomato Salad

With vinegar, onion and herbs, no oil

10 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Beet Salad with Garlic

Παντζαροσαλάτα

55 min · serves 4 · Greek

Dill Potatoes

Картошка с укропом

25 min · serves 4 · Russian

Baked Apples

With honey, walnuts and cinnamon

45 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Strict-Day Mujaddara

1 h · serves 4 · Levantine

Lentil and Vegetable Stew

One-pot stew with no oil

55 min · serves 6 · Everyday

Sauerkraut Salad with Apple

Салат из квашеной капусты

10 min · serves 4 · Russian

Quick Pickled Vegetables

25 min · serves 10 · Everyday

Oil-Free Roasted Roots

Carrots, parsnips and beets roasted with herbs

1 h · serves 4 · Everyday

Strict-Day Dakos

10 min · serves 4 · Greek

Steamed Artichokes with Lemon

Αγκινάρες βραστές

45 min · serves 4 · Greek

Millet Porridge with Pumpkin

Пшённая каша с тыквой

45 min · serves 4 · Russian

Barley Salad with Herbs

Pearl barley with lemon, parsley and vegetables

50 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Bright, filling salad with lime

15 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Oil-Free Tomato Pasta

Μακαρόνια με σάλτσα

30 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Lentil Salad with Vinegar

Φακές σαλάτα

35 min · serves 4 · Greek

Chickpea and Parsley Salad

With lemon, cucumber and tomato

15 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Fruit Salad with Honey and Mint

Simple fruit dessert for any fast day

15 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Date and Walnut Balls

No-bake sweets with no oil or sugar

20 min · serves 20 · Everyday

Spiced Baked Pears

Pears baked with orange and cloves

50 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Pumpkin Soup with Ginger

Smooth soup with no oil or cream

45 min · serves 6 · Everyday

Boiled Cauliflower with Lemon

Κουνουπίδι βραστό

15 min · serves 4 · Greek

Boiled Zucchini Salad

Κολοκυθάκια βραστά

15 min · serves 4 · Greek

Steamed Mussels with Lemon

Mussels in garlic and parsley broth, no oil or wine

25 min · serves 2 · Everyday

Octopus Salad with Lemon

Χταποδοσαλάτα

1 h 15 min · serves 4 · Greek

Homemade Vegetable Stock

The base for every strict-day soup

1 h 10 min · serves 8 · Everyday

Potato and Leek Soup

Creamy without cream or oil

40 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Greek Cabbage Soup

Λαχανόσουπα

55 min · serves 6 · Greek

Lenten Rice Pudding

Νηστίσιμο ρυζόγαλο

40 min · serves 6 · Greek

Moustalevria

Μουσταλευριά

25 min · serves 6 · Greek

Fruit Kompot

20 min · serves 8 · Russian

Berry Kissel

20 min · serves 6 · Russian

Roasted Chestnuts

Κάστανα ψητά

35 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Wine & oil days

Lenten Spanakopita

Σπανακόπιτα νηστίσιμη

1 h 30 min · serves 8 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Hortopita

Χορτόπιτα

1 h 30 min · serves 8 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Leek Pie

Πρασόπιτα νηστίσιμη

1 h 20 min · serves 8 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Moussaka

Μουσακάς νηστίσιμος

1 h 45 min · serves 8 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Cabbage Rolls

Λαχανοντολμάδες νηστίσιμοι

1 h 35 min · serves 6 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Orzo in Tomato Sauce

Κριθαράκι κοκκινιστό

45 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Revithokeftedes

Ρεβιθοκεφτέδες

35 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Domatorizo

Ντοματόρυζο

30 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Greek Potato Salad

Πατατοσαλάτα

30 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Cauliflower Stifado

Κουνουπίδι στιφάδο

1 h 5 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Mushroom Stifado

Μανιτάρια στιφάδο

1 h · serves 4 · Greek

Kakavia

1 h · serves 6 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Shrimp Giouvetsi

Γαρίδες γιουβέτσι

50 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Stuffed Squid

Καλαμάρια γεμιστά

1 h 20 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Octopus Stifado

Χταπόδι στιφάδο

1 h 50 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Cuttlefish with Spinach

Σουπιές με σπανάκι

1 h 20 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Octopus Pasta

Χταποδομακαρονάδα

1 h 40 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Mussels Saganaki

Μύδια σαγανάκι

27 min · serves 2 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Cabbage and Carrot Salad

Λαχανοσαλάτα

15 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Fakorizo

Φακόρυζο

55 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Zucchini Fritters

Κολοκυθοκεφτέδες νηστίσιμοι

45 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Rassolnik

Постный рассольник

1 h 15 min · serves 6 · Russian

Lenten Okroshka

Постная окрошка

40 min · serves 4 · Russian

Svekolnik

Свекольник

55 min · serves 4 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Mushroom Solyanka

Постная солянка с грибами

1 h · serves 6 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Kapustnyak

Капусняк

1 h 5 min · serves 6 · Ukrainian

Wine & oil days

Mushroom Pelmeni

Пельмени с грибами

1 h 20 min · serves 6 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Lenten Potato Pancakes

Постные драники

40 min · serves 4 · Belarusian

Wine & oil days

Zucchini Caviar

Кабачковая икра

1 h 20 min · serves 8 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Eggplant Caviar

Баклажанная икра

1 h 10 min · serves 6 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Lenten Bliny

Постные блины

40 min · serves 4 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Garlic Pampushky

Пампушки з часником

45 min · serves 12 · Ukrainian

Wine & oil days

Black Radish Salad

Салат из редьки

15 min · serves 4 · Russian

Russian Fish Pie

1 h 25 min · serves 8 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Serbian Potato Musaka

Посна мусака

1 h 20 min · serves 6 · Serbian

Wine & oil days

Serbian Stuffed Peppers

Посне пуњене паприке

1 h 30 min · serves 6 · Serbian

Wine & oil days

Đuveč

1 h 25 min · serves 6 · Serbian

Wine & oil days

Satarash

45 min · serves 4 · Serbian

Wine & oil days

Pinđur

1 h 5 min · serves 6 · Macedonian

Wine & oil days

Tavče Gravče

Тавче гравче

2 h 20 min · serves 6 · Macedonian

Wine & oil days

Kyopolu

Кьопоолу

55 min · serves 6 · Bulgarian

Wine & oil days

Potato Pie

Посна пита кромпируша

1 h 25 min · serves 8 · Serbian

Wine & oil days

Romanian Bean Ciorbă

Ciorbă de fasole de post

1 h 55 min · serves 6 · Romanian

Wine & oil days

Mushroom Ostropel

Ostropel de ciuperci

40 min · serves 4 · Romanian

Wine & oil days

Romanian Potato Stew

Tocăniță de cartofi

50 min · serves 4 · Romanian

Wine & oil days

Romanian Eggplant Salad

Salată de vinete

55 min · serves 6 · Romanian

Wine & oil days

Cabbage Plăcintă

Plăcintă cu varză

1 h 20 min · serves 8 · Romanian

Wine & oil days

Iahnie de Fasole

Iahnie de fasole

1 h 55 min · serves 6 · Romanian

Wine & oil days

Lobiani

ლობიანი

1 h · serves 6 · Georgian

Mchadi

მჭადი

25 min · serves 4 · Georgian

Churchkhela

ჩურჩხელა

1 h 10 min · serves 8 · Georgian

Cauliflower Satsivi

ყვავილოვანი კომბოსტო საცივით

35 min · serves 4 · Georgian

Beet Pkhali

ჭარხლის ფხალი

1 h 5 min · serves 6 · Georgian

Wine & oil days

Mushroom Chakapuli

სოკოს ჩაქაფული

45 min · serves 4 · Georgian

Wine & oil days

Muhammara

45 min · serves 6 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Potato Kibbeh

كبة بطاطا

1 h 10 min · serves 6 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Pumpkin Kibbeh

كبة لقطين

1 h 20 min · serves 6 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Mjadra Hamra

مجدرة حمرا

45 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

White Beans in Olive Oil

فاصوليا بزيت

35 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Batata Harra

بطاطا حرة

50 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Fatayer Sabanekh

فطاير سبانخ

1 h 10 min · serves 20 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Hindbeh

35 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Fried Cauliflower with Tahini

قرنبيط مقلي

35 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Samke Harra

سمكة حرة

50 min · serves 4 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Louvi me Lahana

Λουβί με λάχανα

50 min · serves 4 · Cypriot

Wine & oil days

Kolokasi

Κολοκάσι

1 h 20 min · serves 4 · Cypriot

Wine & oil days

Kolokotes

Κολοκωτές

1 h 20 min · serves 12 · Cypriot

Lenten Village Bread

Χωριάτικο ψωμί

1 h · serves 10 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Paximadia

Παξιμάδια

2 h 30 min · serves 24 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Pita Bread

Soft flatbread with no milk or egg

35 min · serves 8 · Everyday

Wine & oil days

Olive Bread

Ελιόψωμο

1 h · serves 10 · Cypriot

Wine & oil days

Lenten Pogača

Посна погача

1 h · serves 10 · Serbian

Wine & oil days

Lenten Orange Cake

Νηστίσιμο κέικ πορτοκάλι

1 h 5 min · serves 12 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Walnut Cake

Καρυδόπιτα νηστίσιμη

1 h 5 min · serves 16 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Portokalopita

Πορτοκαλόπιτα νηστίσιμη

1 h 5 min · serves 16 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Loukoumades

Λουκουμάδες νηστίσιμοι

35 min · serves 6 · Greek

Pasteli

20 min · serves 16 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Kourabiedes

Κουραμπιέδες νηστίσιμοι

55 min · serves 30 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lenten Mannik

Постный манник

55 min · serves 10 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Lenten Honey Spice Cookies

Постные медовые пряники

40 min · serves 30 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Lenten Apple Sharlotka

Постная шарлотка

1 h 5 min · serves 10 · Russian

Wine & oil days

Sfouf

45 min · serves 16 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Lenten Ma’amoul

1 h 10 min · serves 30 · Levantine

Wine & oil days

Lenten Pancakes

Τηγανίτες νηστίσιμες

20 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Wine & oil days

Tahini and Honey on Toast

Ταχίνι με μέλι

7 min · serves 1 · Greek

Overnight Oats with Fruit

No-cook breakfast for busy fast days

5 min · serves 1 · Everyday

Sweet Buckwheat Porridge

Гречневая каша

25 min · serves 2 · Russian

Fruit and Oat Smoothie

Quick breakfast in a glass

5 min · serves 1 · Everyday

Wine & oil days

Lenten Pizza

Tomato and vegetable pizza without cheese

35 min · serves 4 · Everyday

Wine & oil days

Bean and Mushroom Burgers

Burgers kids will eat in Lent

35 min · serves 6 · Everyday

Wine & oil days

Lenten Potato Croquettes

Πατατοκεφτέδες νηστίσιμοι

35 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Vushka

1 h 10 min · serves 6 · Ukrainian

Wine & oil days

Mushroom Sauce

Грибна підлива

40 min · serves 6 · Ukrainian

Holy Supper Fried Fish

Смажена риба

35 min · serves 6 · Ukrainian

Wine & oil days

Mucenici

Mucenici moldovenești

1 h 5 min · serves 20 · Romanian

Wine & oil days

Fanouropita

Φανουρόπιτα

1 h 5 min · serves 12 · Greek

St. Barbara’s Wheat

Βαρβάρα / برباره

1 h 45 min · serves 8 · Levantine

Meghli

45 min · serves 8 · Levantine

Koliva

2 h · serves 20 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Lazarakia

Λαζαράκια

1 h 5 min · serves 12 · Greek

Baked Salt Cod Plaki

Μπακαλιάρος πλακί

1 h 10 min · serves 4 · Greek

Grilled Fish with Ladolemono

Ψάρι ψητό με λαδολέμονο

35 min · serves 4 · Greek

Taramokeftedes

Ταραμοκεφτέδες

35 min · serves 4 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Clean Monday Table

Καθαρά Δευτέρα

1 h · serves 8 · Greek

Wine & oil days

Twelve Dishes of Nativity Eve

Святий вечір

6 h · serves 12 · Ukrainian

New to fasting? Start with our guide to what to eat when fasting, with a “can I eat this?” checker.

Questions

About fasting food

What can Orthodox Christians eat while fasting?

On most fast days: no meat, dairy, eggs or fish. On strict days, also no olive oil or wine. On wine and oil days, olive oil and wine are allowed, and on fish days fish is too. Shellfish, octopus and squid are traditionally not counted as fish.

Are these recipes vegan?

Most of them. Fasting food is mostly plant-based, but a few recipes use honey, shellfish or fish, and they are marked by fasting level so you can tell at a glance.

Which recipes work on strict days?

Look for “Any fast day.” Those have no oil, wine or fish, so they fit the strict weekdays of Great Lent.

Why do customs differ?

Greek, Antiochian and Slavic churches keep the same fasts with small differences, for example about roe, shellfish or oil. Follow what your parish and your priest keep.

Keep the fast with people who keep it

The Eastern Cross is an Orthodox Christian community on Discord, with a daily bulletin that tells you what today’s fast allows.