mezze Recipes
63 delicious mezze recipes from around the world
Shanklish
Lebanese aged cheese balls - dried cheese with zaatar and peppers. Strong mezze.
Makanek
Lebanese lamb sausages - spiced sausages fried with lemon. Mezze.
Batata Harra
Lebanese spicy potatoes - crispy potatoes with garlic, chili, cilantro. Mezze.
Arnabeet Mekli
Lebanese fried cauliflower - crispy cauliflower with tahini. Mezze classic.
Shanklish
Lebanese aged cheese - fermented cheese balls with herbs. Mezze.
Mutabbal
Syrian smoky eggplant dip - fire-roasted eggplant blended with tahini and pomegranate. Deeper flavor than baba ganoush.
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.
Arnabeet Mekli (Lebanese Fried Cauliflower with Tahini)
A classic Lebanese mezze dish featuring crispy, golden-brown fried cauliflower florets drizzled with a tangy tahini-lemon sauce. Simple, satisfying, and perfect for sharing.
Batata Harra (Spicy Lebanese Potatoes)
Batata Harra is a beloved Lebanese mezze dish featuring perfectly crispy, golden-brown potato cubes tossed with a vibrant and spicy mixture of fresh garlic, cilantro, chili flakes, and lemon juice. It's a simple yet incredibly flavorful appetizer or side.
Fattoush
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.
Foul Mudammas
A classic Lebanese breakfast staple, Foul Mudammas features slow-cooked fava beans mashed and seasoned with garlic, cumin, lemon juice, and finished with a generous drizzle of olive oil and fresh parsley. It's hearty, flavorful, and perfect served with warm pita bread.
Hindbeh bil Zeit (Sautéed Dandelion Greens with Olive Oil and Onions)
A classic Lebanese mezze dish featuring tender, slightly bitter dandelion greens sautéed with sweet caramelized onions and rich olive oil. The interplay of bitter greens and sweet onions creates a uniquely satisfying flavor profile.
Hummus bi Tahini
Authentic Lebanese Hummus bi Tahini, a luxuriously creamy chickpea dip blended with rich tahini, bright lemon juice, and pungent garlic. This recipe aims for the silkiest texture and most vibrant flavor, a true testament to its origin.
İçli Köfte (Stuffed Bulgur Dumplings)
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.
İmam Bayıldı (The Imam Fainted)
A classic Turkish dish of eggplants stuffed with a savory mixture of onions, tomatoes, and garlic, then slow-braised in abundant olive oil until meltingly tender. The name, 'The Imam Fainted,' is said to refer to the dish's rich flavor, the amount of olive oil used, or perhaps its perceived expense.
Kabak Mücver (Turkish Zucchini Fritters)
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.
Kashk-e Bademjan
A rich and flavorful Persian appetizer featuring smoky, mashed eggplant blended with tangy kashk (fermented whey), caramelized onions, and aromatic mint. This dish offers a complex balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes, making it a truly addictive and bold start to any meal.
Kibbeh
Lebanon's national dish - torpedo-shaped bulgur shells filled with spiced lamb and pine nuts, deep-fried to perfection. This recipe focuses on the classic fried version.
Kibbeh Maklieh (Fried Kibbeh)
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.
Kibbeh Nayeh
A traditional Lebanese delicacy, Kibbeh Nayeh is a finely textured raw lamb and bulgur dish, seasoned with spices and served with olive oil. It's a testament to the freshness of ingredients and the trust between the cook and the diner.
Kibbeh Nayyeh
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.
Labneh (Strained Yogurt)
A luxuriously thick and creamy Middle Eastern strained yogurt, essential for any mezze spread. Traditionally served drizzled with fragrant extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of earthy za'atar, perfect for scooping with warm pita bread.
Loubieh bil Zeit (Lebanese Green Beans Braised in Olive Oil and Tomatoes)
A classic Lebanese summer dish featuring tender green beans slowly braised with ripe tomatoes, onions, and garlic in abundant olive oil. This dish is traditionally served at room temperature, making it a perfect make-ahead option for gatherings.