This Dolmadakia Recipe is so delicious and vegan-friendly (minus the yogurt)! "Dolmakia" is also known as "Dolmathes," "Dolmades," and "Dolma." Greek Stuffed Grape Leaves have a distinct lemony flavor and a filling made with tender rice, dill, scallions, and mint. Yes, it's different from Assyrian DoIma, but I think even mom would have approved!
About This Recipe
I've always loved grape leaf dolma...Middle Eastern style, that is. I used to think that I disliked Greek Dolmades. Just like mom, who once threw an entire can of Dolmathes in the trash after one taste. It was then that she decided Greeks didn't know how to make Dolma. This Dolmadakia recipe would have definitely changed her mind.
Then a few years ago, I went on a trip to Napa Valley with my daughter, sister, and niece. While on a winery tour, our Middle Eastern tour guide served us Greek Dolmadakia for lunch. It was so delectable, it changed my mind forever. This is my attempt at recreating that delicious dolma.
Why This Recipe Works
Dolmadakia is easy to prepare, especially once you get the hang of rolling the rice-filled grape leaves. The little green bundels are loaded with healthy ingredients and the bold flavor of dill, scallions, mint, and lemon juice. Unlike many Dolma recipes, this Dolmadakia recipe is also vegan-friendly.
What Goes into This Recipe
Recipe Ingredient Notes
- Grape Leaves – I have always preferred using fresh grape leaves instead of jarred. If you absolutely can't get your hand on fresh grape leaves Orlando Brand Grape Leaves are popular.
- Fresh Dill – Fresh dill makes this recipe so don't substitute with dill weed. If possible, use homegrown dill, which usually tastes much better than store-bought dill.
- Dill Weed – I like to sprinkle dill weed between the layers, if you're out, you can skip it.
- Pinenuts – Pinenuts are optional depending on your taste preference. I love them in Dolmadakia, while my daughter prefers the melt-in-your-mouth texture without the added crunch.
- Citric Acid — Citric acid adds a very sour taste and is used in sour candy, and to preserve food. If you don't have any, you can use lemon juice instead.
How to Make Dolmadakia/Dolmades
STEP 1: Soak the rice in cold water and set aside while you work on the other steps.
STEP 2: Prepare freshly picked grape leaves by washing them first, then plunging them in boiling water until soft and pliable, approximately 30 seconds. Continue until all the leaves are blanched. If using brined grape leaves, rinse well before using.
STEP 3: Drain the rice and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped dill, mint, onion, scallions, and parsley.
STEP 4: Toast pine nuts in a pan, if using, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Add the toasted pine nuts to the bowl with the other ingredients.
STEP 5: Mix lemon juice and olive oil and whisk in the salt and pepper. Pour half of this mixture over the filling ingredients and mix to combine.
STEP 6: Place grape leaves bumpy side up, on a plate or cutting board. I like to do five at a time. Next, add approximately 1 tablespoon of the rice mixture to the center of each grape leaf.
Fold the sides of the grape leaf to cover the filing, then fold the bottom part over the filling and roll up all the way up as tightly as possible.
STEP 7: Line the bottom of a 9" x 13” baking dish with the larger grape leaves that are not desirable for cooking. This is done to prevent the dolma from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
STEP 8: Place rolled Dolmades in tight rows in the prepared baking dish until you fill the entire dish. Sprinkle with dill weed, if using. If you have extra dolma left, add it as a second layer.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
STEP 9: Mix hot water into the remaining oil and lemon juice. The salt and pepper will have settled to the bottom, so give it a quick stir. Pour this mixture over the Dolmadakes, making sure you distribute the liquid evenly over the entire pan.
STEP 10: Cover tightly with foil and place in a pre-heated oven. Bake for one hour and thirty minutes or until tender.
PREPARE YOGURT SAUCE
Meanwhile, mix yogurt, dill, garlic until combined. Serve yogurt as a dipping sauce with the Dolmadakia.
Recipe FAQs
Greek Dolmades are made with a filling made of rice, herbs (dill, parsley, mint), onions, garlic, salt, and pepper.
The filling is wrapped in tender grape leaves that are either freshly picked or pickled. The rolled Dolma is then cooked in a mixture of water (or broth), lemon juice, and olive oil, until tender. Sometimes minced meat is added to the filling.
Dolmathes can be served by themselves, or with yogurt sauce. The sauce consists of yogurt, garlic, and dill. Dolmadakia can be served hot, warm, or cold and make a great appetizer or a quick, healthy snack on the go!
Dolmades and Dolmadakia both Greek names for stuffed grape leaves. A Dolmadaki is one stuffed grape leaf while Dolmadakia is the plural form. Dolmades is also plural for Dolma.
Dolmadakia is the ultimate finger food! That means you can use your hands or preferably, a fork. Dip the Dolmadakia in yogurt sauce and plop them in your mouth.
Dolmathes can be enjoyed hot, warm, or cold, but don't forget the yogurt sauce!
Fresh grape leaves are much more tender than jarred leaves. If you have the choice between the two, always use fresh leaves. The leaves should be young and tender, not too large or brittle. 
Expert Tips
- The amount of filling is approximate and will depend on the size of the leaf being stuffed. Larger leaves will require more filling mixture than smaller ones.
- Always use smaller leaves, if available. They are much more tender.
- If you'd like to pickle your own grape leaves, check out my Pickling Grape Leaves post.
- Allow ample time for the dolmades to cool before serving. They will fall apart if you try to serve them while too hot.
- To reheat the Dolmathes, you can microwave them for a minute or so.
- I don't recommend freezing the Dolmadakia because the texture is not the same once frozen.
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📖 Recipe
Dolmadakia (Dolmades) Stuffed Grape leaves
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice
- 80 grape leaves
- ⅓ cup fresh dill (chopped)
- ⅓ cup Italian parsley (chopped)
- ⅓ cup fresh mint (chopped)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 4 scallions (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup pinenuts (optional)
- ½ tablespoon dill weed
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cup hot water
Yogurt Sauce
- 1½ cups Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1 clove garlic (pressed)
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon citric acid
Instructions
- Soak the rice in cold water and set aside while you work on the other steps.
- Prepare freshly picked grape leaves by washing them first, then plunging them in boiling water until soft and pliable, approximately 30 seconds. Continue until all the leaves are blanched. If using brined grape leaves, rinse well before using.
- Drain the rice and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped dill, mint, onion, scallions, and parsley.
- Toast pine nuts in a pan, if using, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Add the toasted pine nuts to the bowl with the other ingredients.
- Mix lemon juice and olive oil and whisk in the salt and pepper. Pour half of this mixture over the filling ingredients and mix to combine.
- Place grape leaves bumpy side up, on a plate or cutting board. I like to do five at a time. Next, add approximately 1 tablespoon of the rice mixture to the center of each grape leaf. Fold the sides of the grape leaf to cover the filling, then fold the bottom part over the filling and roll up all the way up as tightly as possible.
- Line the bottom of a 9" x 13” baking dish with the larger grape leaves that are not desirable for cooking. This is done to prevent the dolma from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Place rolled Dolmades in tight rows in the prepared baking dish until you fill the entire dish. Sprinkle with dill weed, if using. If you have extra dolma left, add it as a second layer.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix hot water into the remaining oil and lemon juice. The salt and pepper will have settled to the bottom, so give it a quick stir. Pour this mixture over the Dolmadakes, making sure you distribute the liquid evenly over the entire pan.
- Cover tightly with foil and place in a pre-heated oven. Bake for one hour and thirty minutes or until tender.
Yogurt Sauce
- Meanwhile, mix yogurt, dill, garlic, salt, and citric acid until combined. Serve yogurt as a dipping sauce with the Dolmadakia.
Notes
- The amount of filling is approximate and will depend on the size of the leaf being stuffed. Larger leaves will require more filling mixture than smaller ones.
- Always use smaller leaves, if available. They are much more tender.
- If you'd like to pickle your own grape leaves, check out my Pickling Grape Leaves post.
- Allow ample time for the dolmades to cool before serving. They will fall apart if you try to serve them while too hot.
- To reheat the Dolmathes, you can microwave them for a minute or so.
- I don't recommend freezing the Dolmadakia because the texture is not the same once frozen.
Caroline says
This was amazing!! Such wonderful flavors! Very easy recipe to follow!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you, I appreciate the review! ❤️