Briam (Greek Olive Oil Roasted Vegetables)

Briam belongs to the Greek ladera style of cooking, where vegetables are made generous with olive oil and herbs rather than treated as a side note. In this traybake, potatoes, courgettes, aubergine, tomatoes, onion and garlic roast until the vegetables soften into one another and the edges take on light caramelisation. Oregano gives the dish its familiar savoury aroma, while the tomatoes release enough juice to mingle with the olive oil into a glossy pan sauce. It is just as useful as a relaxed vegetarian main as it is alongside grilled fish, lamb or bread for mopping up the juices, and it holds well served warm or at room temperature.
Cuisine style Greek home cooking
Flavor profile Herby • Savoury • Lightly caramelised
Techniques Roasting • Sheet-pan baking
Key equipment Oven • Large baking tray
Cooking style Hands-off cooking • Minimal cleanup • Make-ahead friendly
Time commitment Under 2 hours

Why this recipe works

  • Slow olive-oil roasting: The vegetables cook gently in olive oil and tomato juices, giving briam its characteristic soft, succulent texture.
  • Simple ingredients, deep flavour: Garlic, onion, oregano and ripe tomatoes season the tray as it roasts, while caramelised edges add savoury depth.
  • Flexible serving temperature: Briam is just as useful warm from the oven as it is at room temperature, making it easy to serve alongside other dishes.

Get the most out of this recipe

Authenticity notes

  • Soft, not crisp-tender: Briam is traditionally roasted until the vegetables are tender and almost melting, rather than cooked briefly for bite.
  • Built around olive oil: The olive oil is a central part of the dish, forming a rich cooking medium with the tomato juices rather than acting only as a coating.
  • Serve with bread: Crusty bread is a natural pairing for catching the savoury olive oil and tomato juices left in the tray.

Timing notes

  • Mostly hands-off: The preparation is mainly slicing; the long roasting time does the work of softening and concentrating the vegetables.
  • Let it stand briefly: A short rest after roasting helps the juices settle and makes the vegetables easier to serve without breaking apart.
  • Serve warm or room temperature: Briam holds well after cooking, so it does not need to be rushed straight from the oven to the table.

Ingredient notes

  • Use good olive oil: Extra virgin olive oil gives the dish much of its richness and aroma, so choose one you enjoy the taste of.
  • Ripe tomatoes matter: Juicy, ripe tomatoes help create the roasting liquid that keeps the vegetables tender and balances the olive oil.
  • Herbs at the right moment: Dried oregano stands up well to the oven, while fresh parsley is best added at the end for a clean, bright finish.

Common mistakes

  • Avoid piling the vegetables too deeply: A very crowded tray traps steam and limits caramelisation, so spread the vegetables as evenly as the tray allows.
  • Check the potatoes: The dish is ready when the potatoes are fully tender; if they are still firm, keep roasting until they soften.
  • Baste if the tray looks dry: Spoon the olive oil and vegetable juices from the corners back over the top to keep the surface moist during roasting.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Pour about a third of the olive oil into a large baking tray and tilt to coat the base.
  2. Peel the potatoes and slice them into rounds about 1 cm thick. Slice the onion, and thinly slice the garlic.
  3. Slice the courgettes and aubergine into rounds about 1 cm thick. Cut the tomatoes into wedges.
  4. Add the potatoes, onion, garlic, courgettes, aubergine and tomatoes to the tray, then sprinkle over the dried oregano, fine sea salt and black pepper. Drizzle over the remaining olive oil and toss well, then spread into an even layer with some overlap for a traditional briam look.
  5. Bake for 70 minutes, turning the vegetables once or twice, until the potatoes are tender and the edges are lightly caramelised. If the tray looks dry at any point, spoon the oil and juices from the corners over the top.
  6. Finely chop the parsley. Let the briam stand for 5 minutes, then scatter over the parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Cut the vegetables to a similar thickness so they cook evenly, with the potatoes no thicker than the courgettes and aubergine.
  • For deeper caramelisation, bake uncovered and spread the vegetables in a single, roomy layer rather than piling them up.

Substitutions

  • Replace Fresh parsley with Fresh dill for a different, but still classic, Greek finish.
  • Replace Dried oregano with Herbes de Provence for a softer, more floral herb note.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 4 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat in a 180°C (355°F) oven for 15 to 20 minutes until piping hot, or enjoy at room temperature.

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Briam (Greek Olive Oil Roasted Vegetables)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 1h 40min (20min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Greek
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

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