61 delicious mezze recipes from around the world
A flavorful vegan okra stew simmered in olive oil with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and cilantro. This dish highlights the Palestinian love for fresh vegetables and olive oil, often served as a mezze or a light main course.
A classic Greek appetizer, Melitzanosalata is a smoky and flavorful roasted eggplant dip, distinct from Baba Ghanoush due to its simpler preparation and fewer ingredients. It's typically made with roasted eggplant, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice, offering a delightful balance of smoky, tangy, and savory notes.
İçli köfte, meaning 'stuffed meatballs' in Turkish, are exquisite torpedo-shaped dumplings made from a delicate bulgur and semolina dough, generously filled with a savory mixture of spiced ground meat, onions, and walnuts. Often considered a culinary art form, especially in the Gaziantep region, these are a labor of love that rewards with incredible flavor and texture.
Tirokroketes are delightful Greek cheese croquettes, featuring a crispy fried exterior and a warm, savory cheese filling, perfectly complemented by a drizzle of sweet honey. They make an excellent appetizer or mezze.
A vibrant and refreshing Lebanese bread salad featuring crispy fried pita pieces tossed with an array of fresh vegetables and a tangy sumac and pomegranate molasses vinaigrette.
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.
Juicy and flavorful lamb kofta kebabs, seasoned with a blend of Middle Eastern spices, grilled to perfection, and often served with tahini sauce and pita bread.
A refreshing and flavorful salad featuring cooked vine leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes finely chopped vegetables, served chilled with a lemon-herb dressing.
Slow-cooked lamb, traditionally baked in a sealed pit, resulting in incredibly tender and flavorful meat infused with herbs and lemon.
Warak Enab, meaning 'grape leaves' in Arabic, is a beloved dish across the Middle East and North Africa, including Sudan. These tender grape leaves are stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, minced meat, and aromatic spices, then slow-cooked to perfection. It's a dish often prepared for special occasions and family gatherings, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the region.
A classic Greek dish featuring succulent shrimp baked in a rich tomato sauce, infused with the distinct anise flavor of ouzo, and topped with salty feta cheese that melts into a bubbling, irresistible topping. Perfect as a starter or a light main course.
A classic Greek dish of tender eggplants stuffed with a rich mixture of onions, tomatoes, and garlic, then slow-braised in olive oil. The name translates to 'the imam fainted,' supposedly due to its exquisite richness.
Kibbeh Nayyeh is a traditional Lebanese dish of finely ground raw lamb mixed with fine bulgur wheat, onions, and aromatic spices. It's a delicate and flavorful appetizer, best enjoyed fresh with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh mint leaves.
Crispy, golden-fried zucchini rounds coated in a light, airy beer batter. A quintessential Greek summer mezze, perfect for sharing.
Crispy, herb-flecked zucchini fritters, a quintessential summer mezze dish. These savory cakes are light yet satisfying, perfect as an appetizer or a light meal.
Tender grape leaves stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes minced lamb, slow-cooked in a tangy lemon and olive oil sauce. This is a vegetarian version often served as a mezze or appetizer.
Authentic Lebanese Kibbeh Maklieh, featuring crispy, torpedo-shaped shells made from a fine bulgur and meat mixture, filled with a savory spiced lamb and pine nut filling. This is a beloved and iconic dish in Lebanese cuisine.
A simple yet flavorful Greek mezze featuring large mushrooms grilled to perfection with a zesty olive oil, garlic, and herb marinade. Ideal as an appetizer or side dish.
A beloved Northern Persian specialty from the Gilan province, this dish features smoky grilled eggplant mashed with sautéed tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and enriched with eggs. It's a simple yet incredibly flavorful vegetarian dish, perfect served with fresh bread.
Fasolia bi Zeit is a simple yet flavorful Middle Eastern dish of green beans stewed with tomatoes, onions, and garlic in olive oil. It's often served as a side dish or part of a mezze spread and is popular in Jordan, Palestine, and Syria.
Mercimek Köftesi are delicious, savory patties made from red lentils and fine bulgur, infused with aromatic herbs and spices. Traditionally served as a vegan mezze or appetizer, they are flavorful, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make.
Yabrak, also known as dolma or stuffed grape leaves, is a labor of love featuring tender grape leaves filled with a mixture of rice, ground meat, and aromatic spices, slow-cooked to perfection. It's a testament to patience and care, often served during gatherings.
Authentic Lebanese makanek are small, intensely flavored lamb sausages, pan-fried to a perfect crisp and then coated in a sweet and tangy pomegranate molasses glaze. Toasted pine nuts add a delightful crunch, making this a popular dish for breakfast or as part of a mezze spread.
A classic Greek dip made from cured fish roe (tarama), blended with bread, olive oil, lemon juice, and onion. It's a smooth, pale pink spread, often enjoyed as a meze or appetizer, especially during Lent.
