main course Recipes
223 delicious main course recipes from around the world
Souvlaki (Greek Grilled Meat Skewers)
Tender cubes of pork shoulder marinated in a vibrant blend of lemon juice, olive oil, and oregano, then grilled to perfection on skewers until beautifully charred. Served traditionally in warm pita bread with fresh tomato, red onion, and creamy tzatziki sauce.
Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie)
A classic Greek savory pie featuring layers of crisp, golden phyllo dough encasing a flavorful and herbaceous filling of fresh spinach, tangy feta cheese, and aromatic herbs.
Steak Frites
A quintessential Parisian bistro dish, featuring perfectly pan-seared steak served alongside golden, crispy French fries, often finished with a rich pan sauce.
Tumbet
A classic Mallorcan layered vegetable dish featuring thinly sliced and fried eggplant, potatoes, and roasted red peppers, all bound together with a rich tomato sauce. It's a delightful and hearty vegetarian main or side.
Txangurro (Basque Stuffed Spider Crab)
A classic Basque Country delicacy, Txangurro features succulent spider crab meat mixed with aromatic vegetables, flamed with brandy, and baked in its own shell until golden and bubbling. This dish is a true celebration of the sea.
Västerbottenpaj
A savory tart featuring Sweden's most prized and intensely flavored Västerbotten cheese, baked in a crisp shortcrust pastry. This classic Swedish dish is perfect for celebrations or as an elegant appetizer.
Wiener Schnitzel
Austria's national dish - tender veal pounded thin, breaded, and fried to golden, ruffled perfection. This classic dish is surprisingly quick to prepare and incredibly satisfying.
Yemista (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers)
Vibrant and flavorful Greek Yemista features ripe tomatoes and bell peppers generously stuffed with a fragrant herbed rice and pine nut filling, then baked until tender and golden. Potatoes absorb the delicious juices, making them a perfect accompaniment.
Adana Kebap
Adana Kebap is a flavorful and spicy grilled minced meat dish originating from the Adana region of Turkey. It features finely ground lamb, mixed with lamb tail fat and generous amounts of red pepper flakes, then hand-formed onto wide, flat skewers and grilled over charcoal. This specialty is known for its heat and juicy texture.
Agujjim (Spicy Monkfish and Soybean Sprout Stew)
A fiery and flavorful Korean stew featuring tender monkfish and crunchy soybean sprouts, coated in a rich, spicy sauce. This dish, a specialty of Masan, is known for its bold flavors and satisfying texture.
Ali Nazik
A classic Gaziantep dish featuring a smoky, mashed eggplant and garlic yogurt base topped with succulent, spiced ground lamb and finished with a fragrant paprika-infused butter. This Southern Turkish specialty is a delightful blend of textures and flavors.
Alinazik Kebap
A classic Gaziantep dish featuring tender, sautéed lamb cubes served atop a smoky, creamy purée of roasted eggplant mixed with yogurt and garlic. A rich and satisfying experience.
Aloo Gobi
A classic North Indian dry curry featuring tender cauliflower florets and golden potato cubes simmered in a fragrant blend of turmeric, cumin, and other aromatic spices. This vegetarian staple is known for its vibrant color and comforting flavors.
Ayam Goreng Kalasan (Twice-Cooked Indonesian Fried Chicken)
Ayam Goreng Kalasan is a beloved Indonesian dish featuring chicken that is first braised in a fragrant, spiced coconut milk mixture, then twice-fried to achieve an incredibly crispy exterior and a tender, flavorful interior. This method ensures the chicken is deeply infused with flavor and perfectly cooked.
Ayam Masak Merah (Malaysian Red Chicken)
A classic Malaysian celebratory dish, Ayam Masak Merah features tender chicken pieces braised in a rich, savory, and slightly sweet tomato-chili sauce. It's a staple at weddings and special occasions, known for its vibrant color and balanced flavors.
Ayam Penyet (Indonesian Smashed Fried Chicken)
A popular East Javanese dish featuring crispy fried chicken that is smashed and coated in a flavorful, spicy sambal. Served with fresh raw vegetables (lalapan) and steamed rice.
Bademjan Shekam Por (Persian Stuffed Eggplant)
An elegant and flavorful Persian dish featuring tender eggplants stuffed with a savory mixture of ground lamb, toasted walnuts, and a tangy pomegranate sauce. This dish offers a delightful balance of sweet, sour, and savory notes.
Baingan Bharta (Smoky Mashed Eggplant)
A rustic and flavorful Punjabi dish featuring smoky mashed eggplant, fire-roasted to perfection and blended with aromatic spices, onions, tomatoes, and chilies. The charring process imparts a signature smoky depth.
Batagor (Fried Fish Dumplings with Peanut Sauce)
A popular Indonesian street food, Batagor are savory fried fish dumplings, typically made with mackerel or other white fish, mixed with tapioca starch and seasonings, then stuffed into tofu and wonton wrappers. Served with a rich, sweet and savory peanut sauce and a drizzle of sweet soy sauce (kecap manis). This recipe focuses on the classic preparation, a beloved specialty from Bandung.
Beyti Kebab
A modern Turkish classic, this Beyti Kebab features flavorful Adana-style ground lamb, seasoned and grilled, then wrapped in soft lavash bread and generously topped with a rich tomato-butter sauce and cooling garlic yogurt. It's an indulgent and satisfying dish.
Bò Cuốn Lá Lốt (Grilled Beef Wrapped in Wild Betel Leaves)
Tender ground beef, infused with aromatic spices and lemongrass, is tightly wrapped in fragrant wild betel leaves (lá lốt) and then grilled to perfection. This dish offers a delightful balance of savory, peppery, and herbaceous notes, making it a popular appetizer or main course.
Bò Lá Lốt (Grilled Beef Wrapped in Betel Leaves)
A classic Vietnamese street food featuring fragrant, spiced ground beef tightly wrapped in tender wild betel leaves and grilled to smoky perfection. The combination of aromatic leaves, savory beef, and the char from grilling is truly irresistible.
Cap Cai (Indonesian Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables)
Cap Cai is a popular Chinese-Indonesian stir-fried dish featuring a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, often with a protein of choice, all coated in a savory sauce. It's a healthy, versatile, and quick meal.
Chao Shou / Wonton in Chili Oil
Silky pork and shrimp-filled wontons bathed in a spicy, numbing, and aromatic Sichuan chili oil sauce. These Chao Shou are addictively good and surprisingly easy to make.