Vegetarian Mezze Platter

Creating a delicious Vegetarian Mezze Platter is easy to do and makes the best kind of appetizer or light meal. I’ll show you how to create an amazing meatless mezze platter, including all the essentials of a mezze spread. I’ve included a recipe for a simple mezze platter and a list of additional options you can add to spice things up!

Whether you are making a mezze platter for a party or as a simple, light meal for your family, you are in for a treat! As far as I am concerned, you are making the best decision. This good Greek Mezze platter is always a hit at our house and it is so incredibly easy to do!

There are so many options for what to include on a mezze platter, and each offers something delicious to please the eater. There are no strict rules when it comes to assembling a mezze platter but I have included a general guideline on what you should include to ensure you have put together a crowd-pleaser.

The recipe card at the end of this post outlines how I made our vegetarian mezze platter in just minutes so you can replicate it in your own home. I have also included a long list of additional options that can be part of a mezze platter so be sure to check those out and have fun mixing things up!

Closeup of a vegetarian mezze platter containing tirokafteri dip, spanakopitakia, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives and pita bread.

What is mezze?

Mezze or meze is a variety of small dishes that are meant to be shared with others as an appetizer course or even a light meal that is popular across the Mediterranean and Middle East. This style of eating and sharing food is a great way to socialize and mingle with loved ones.

Mezze can be served on small plates, but it is often put together as a platter or grazing board. I personally love serving mezze up in a platter as serving it up this way brings everyone together to graze, talk and laugh together around the table. It’s compromised of a variety of dishes including dips, veggies, and other savoury and sometimes sweet components.

Tips on what to include in a vegetarian mezze platter

A good vegetarian mezze platter includes a variety of dishes. While there are no strict rules, I’ve shared my essentials to building a good mezze platter below. A good Greek mezze should include:

1. Dips!

If you have ever been to Greece, or even a Greek restaurant, you know how much Greeks love their dips! Tzatziki, taramosalata (not vegetarian), and tirokafteri are often included in Greek mezze platters but there are so many more options. Including at least one creamy, dippable element is important.

Good dip options include:

2. Breads

Since dips are important components to a good mezze spread, you definitely need to include a good vessel to enjoy that dip with! Be sure to include at least one of the following options:

  • Pita bread (this Yogurt Flatbread is a good yeast-free and quick substitute if you don’t have pita on hand)
  • sliced bread
  • crackers
easy no yeast yogurt flatbread

3. Veggies and lots of them!

An absolute must for a good mezze board. Not one, but multiple vegetable options should be present on your board. Good options for a mezze platter include:

  • tomatoes
  • cucumber
  • carrot sticks
  • roasted red peppers
  • bell pepper or mini peppers
  • olives
  • marinated artichoke hearts
  • pickles or other pickled vegetables
  • grilled zucchini or Zucchini Fries
  • grilled eggplant
  • asparagus

Fruit can also be included such as:

  • figs
  • grapes

4. Cheese, please!

Feta is almost always included on our mezze platter but feel free to go with another option like kefalotiri, kefalograviera, halloumi, or your own favourite cheese. Another great idea it so serve up saganaki, because when isn’t fried cheese a good idea?

5. Savoury bites

Since I kept my platter vegetarian, I left out meat and seafood options (if you are not vegetarian, read below for other ideas)

With so many options, its so easy to put together a delicious vegetarian platter that is sure to please!

Non-vegetarian options:

If you are not vegetarian or are serving this mezze to a mixed crowd, you can absolutely add meat and seafood options to your mezze platter. Depending on the crowd I am serving my mezze platter to, I sometimes leave the meat options on small plates and bowls next to the vegetarian platter. This way everyone can feel comfortable to enjoy the mezze. Some of these non-vegetarian options can include:

Can you create a mezze platter in advance?

Yes, you can absolutely prepare a mezze platter in advance. The only components I would not arrange on the platter in advance are the warm elements (in my platter, this was the spanakopitakia which are best served warm).

For the cold items, you can arrange them all on the platter, cover the platter with plastic food wrap and set it in the fridge until you are ready to serve. Just remember to leave a space for any warm elements you are going to add just before serving. Then all you have to do is add the warm appetizers to the platter and serve!

Tips for always being ready to throw together a last-minute mezze platter:

At our home, we are always prepared to put together a mezze platter! Our fridge, freezer and cupboard are always stocked with options for a good grazing board. When I make one of my recipes, like zucchini fritters, for example, I always make extra and freeze a portion for future nibbles! Some ideas for things to keep on hand:

  • fresh veggies in the fridge
  • pita bread in the freezer
  • zucchini fritters
  • feta (always in our fridge)
  • jarred roasted red peppers (great for whipping up a tirokafteri dip in just minutes)
  • crackers
  • jar of olives
  • can of chickpeas (great for making hummus)
  • spanakopitakia in the freezer (I always make spanakopitakia and freeze them (read my post to see how to freeze them for future enjoyment).

Having these items on hand always make it possible to throw together a delicious platter in no time!

To recreate my vegetarian mezze platter, be sure to check out the recipe card below.

Kali orexi!

-Cathy

Topview of a vegetarian mezze platter containing a bowl of tirokafteri dip, pita wedges, spanakopita, black olives and feta cheese.

You may also like:

Tiropita with Puff Pastry
Prasopita (Greek Leek Pie)
Crustless Zucchini Pie

Closeup of a vegetarian mezze platter containing tirokafteri dip, spanakopitakia, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives and pita bread.

Vegetarian Mezze Platter

Catherine
Creating a delicious Vegetarian Mezze Platter is easy to do and makes the best kind of appetizer or light meal. I'll show you how to create an amazing meatless mezze platter, including all the essentials of a mezze spread.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Lunch
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4 to 6 people
Calories 565 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Tirokafteri – Spicy Greek Feta Dip:

  • 2 medium roasted red peppers
  • 1 cup feta cheese (approx. 250g or 8.5oz), crumbled
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (can sub a different vinegar as well)
  • 1 red chili pepper or chili flakes (use as much as desired)

For the mezze platter:

  • 12 Spanakopitakia store-bought or homemade (I used 1/3 of my homemade recipe)
  • 1 English cucumber sliced
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives
  • 1 package pita bread cut into wedges
  • 170 g feta cheese (6 oz), cut into strips or cubed
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon oregano

Instructions
 

Prepare the spanakopitakia and tirokafteri dip:

  • Cook the spanakopitakia according to the package or recipe directions.
  • Meanwhile, make the dip. To the food processor, add the roasted red peppers, feta cheese, olive oil, and vinegar. Wearing gloves, chop the red chili pepper in half and add half of it to the food processor. Process until the dip is smooth. Taste and if you desire more heat, add more of the red chili pepper and blitz again until it is smooth. [How much of the chili pepper you use depends on your spice tolerance. Adjust as needed.] Transfer to a serving bowl.

Assemble the platter:

  • To arrange the platter, begin by placing the bowl of tirokafteri on your platter. Around it, arrange the pita bread, cucumber slices and grape tomatoes.
  • Place the the olives in a bowl and set them on the platter. Add the feta cheese and sprinkle it with olive oil and oregano. Set the cooked spanakopitakia on the platter. Serve!

Notes

*Nutritional information based on 6 servings.
This recipe serves 4 as a light meal or 6 is serving for appetizers.

Note: Metric ingredient measurements are provided as a courtesy using a third-party calculator and are rounded to the nearest unit. The recipes provided on this site have not been tested with metric measurements and their accuracy cannot be verified.

Nutrition

Calories: 565kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 20gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 1567mgPotassium: 478mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2142IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 416mgIron: 2mg

The nutritional information provided is based on third-party calculations and is an estimate only. Accurate nutritional facts will vary based on the particular brands used, portion sizes, measurement accuracy and more.

Keyword dip, feta, grazing board, greek food, mezze, olives, pita, platter, tirokafteri
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