Melitzanosalata (Greek Eggplant Dip)

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Melitzanosalata is a Greek Eggplant Dip that’s made from roasted or charred eggplants, garlic, onions, olive oil, lemon juice, and parsley. It has a chunky consistency and is usually served as a mezze (appetizer) with either a pita or crusty bread. If you’re looking for full emersion, you can top it with some Kalamata olives for an extra punch of flavor.

Melitzanosalata - Greek Eggplant Dip in a bowl with hand bread dipped in itThis post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

Melitzanosalata served as a Mezze

In Greek restaurants and taverns, this appetizer round is usually presented as a Mezze (which literally means “small plates”) and is served on a table family-style, to share. In fact, dips like this one, are super popular throughout the Greek islands. Some other popular ones that you’ll typically find include:

I love them all!!! And because we’ve got an abundance of eggplants from the local farms on Long Island, I was inspired to share one of my favorites: Melitzanosalata – which is really an amazing Greek eggplant dish.

Greek Eggplant Dip with olives

Below I’ll show you the ingredients and steps needed for this Greek eggplant dish. Mind you, this is not the full recipe but is intended to show you how this dish is done. In order to get exact measurements, ingredients, instructions, and nutritional information scroll down for the full printable recipe. 

The list of ingredients needed to make the Melitzanosalata (Greek Eggplant Dip) is short and simple:

  • Eggplant;
  • Garlic;
  • Onions;
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil;
  • Lemon Juice;
  • Red Wine Vinegar;
  • Fresh Parsley;
  • Salt & Pepper;
  • (Optional) Smoked Paprika, & Olives for garnish.

Again, while the printable recipe below will provide all the exact ingredients, measurements, etc…; I will walk you through how to make it here in a few easy steps.

Steps to Making Melitzanosalata (Greek Eggplant Dip)

  • Preheat your oven to 425F;
  • Puncture eggplants with a fork all over;
  • Roast for about an hour, rotating them every 15 minutes;
  • Remove from the oven and let them cool off;
  • Once cooled enough to handle, remove the skins and place the flush in a colander for 15 minutes. Then move to your cutting board and roughly chop it;
  • In the meantime, add garlic, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt & pepper, in a mini processor or a cup with a handheld blender, and process until smooth;
  • Add eggplants into a bowl, mash them with a fork;
  • Shred the onions directly into the bowl;
  • Add freshly chopped parsley;
  • Add dressing mixture and mix to combine;
  • Chill for an hour and serve with some olives, crusty bread, or pita bread;

Step by step process of making melizanosalata

Step by step process of making Greek eggplant dip

Process of making Greek eggplant dip

Process of making Greek Eggplant dip

Melitzanosalata - Greek Eggplant Dip in a black bowl with bread

What’s the difference between Melitzanosalata and Baba Ghanoush?

From my perspective, it seems like Baba Ghanoush is more widely known among Americans than Melitzanosalata. This isn’t surprising, especially considering that most Mediterranean restaurants serve Baba Ghanoush. However, Baba Ghanoush has an Arabic origin, and the primary difference with Melitzanosalata is found in texture and ingredients.

Melitzanosalata is all about eggplant! It’s the focal point of the dish and is left in its basic form. On the other hand, Baba Ghanoush has a totally smoother texture as it is typically processed with a fair amount of tahini. Now don’t I’m not picking favorites here. I absolutely love them both, but you can totally taste the difference. I wonder which one you’ll prefer.

Things that you might need to make this Greek Eggplant Dip

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  • Sheet pans;
  • Colander;
  • Set of Knives;
  • Mixing Bowl;
  • Hand Blender.

If you’re looking for more Greek recipes, here is a couple of awesome ones:

Melitzanosalata - Greek Eggplant Dip in a bowl with hand bread dipped in it

Melitzanosalata (Greek Eggplant Dip)

Melitzanosalata is a Greek Eggplant Dip that is made from roasted or charred eggplants, garlic, onions, olive oil, lemon juice, and parsley. It has a chunky consistency and is usually served as a mezze (appetizer) with pita or crusted bread. You can top it off with some Kalamata olives for extra flavor.
4.84 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Resting time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 151kcal
Author: Edyta

Ingredients

  • 2 Eggplants Large
  • 1/4 Vidalia Onion or other Sweet Onion Medium
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1/2 cup Olive Oil Extra Virgin
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice Freshly squeezed
  • 1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Parsley Freshly chopped
  • Salt & Pepper, to taste
  • Spanish Smoked Paprika (hot or sweet) optional

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400F;
  • Puncture the eggplants with the fork all over. Place eggplants on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray or brushed with olive oil;
  • Roast eggplants for approximately 60 minutes, rotating every 15 minutes;
  • In the meantime, place garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, and a pinch of salt & pepper in a food processor and process until smooth;
  • Once the eggplants are roasted, take them out of the oven and let cool off;
  • Once the eggplants are cool enough to handle, remove skin and place the flush in a colander. Let it sit there for 15 minutes. Move to the cutting board and roughly chop;
  • Place eggplant in a bowl, and shred onion directly into the bowl;
  • Add chopped parsley;
  • Add garlic, olive oil, lemon, vinegar mixture and mix gently to combine;
  • Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly;
  • If desired, add sweet or hot Spanish smoked Paprika;
  • Chill for an hour before serving;
  • Serve as an appetizer or mezze with olives, crusty bread, or pita bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 5.1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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21 Comments

  1. 4 stars
    Really really yummy but definitely doesn’t need all that oil… I put less than a quarter of the oil the recipe asks for, and it still turned out smooth and delicious 🙂

    I salted/sweat the eggplant first but I wonder if it makes a difference. I noticed this recipe doesn’t say to do that….

    thank you!

    1. Feel free to use less oil if that’s your preference. There is no need for salting, sweating the eggplant as you roast it whole.

  2. Hi just come across your egg plant recipe and it’s just what I was looking for!
    Can you tell me how long it keeps? The reason I ask this is because the day I want to use it I am so busy so could I make it the day before? If I can’t ok I will find the time! Thanks

    1. Hi Sherrie! Yes, absolutely you can make it a day before and keep it in the fridge, just bring it to room temperature a little ahead of time before serving.

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