middle eastern Recipes
43 delicious middle eastern recipes from around the world
Adana Kebab
A traditional Turkish specialty from Adana, this spicy lamb kebab is made with hand-minced lamb, rich lamb tail fat, and a generous amount of chili. It's known for its fiery kick and succulent texture.
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.
Baba Ganoush
A classic smoky Lebanese eggplant dip, fire-charred for an irresistible depth of flavor, then blended with creamy tahini, pungent garlic, and bright lemon juice. It's a smoother, more refined cousin to mutabbal.
Bamia bil Lahm (Lebanese Okra and Lamb Stew)
A hearty and flavorful Lebanese stew featuring tender lamb and tender okra simmered in a rich, spiced tomato sauce. This dish is a comforting classic, perfect for any season.
Chicken Shawarma
Tender, marinated chicken thighs roasted to perfection and shaved thin, served in warm pita bread with creamy toum (garlic sauce), tangy pickles, and fresh vegetables. This recipe recreates the essence of traditional Middle Eastern rotating spit-roasted meat at home.
Fatteh Hummus
A classic Lebanese layered dish featuring crispy pita bread, tender chickpeas, and a creamy yogurt-tahini sauce, often enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or a light meal. The dish is finished with toasted pine nuts and a drizzle of spiced butter.
Kaak
Lebanese Ka'ak are soft, chewy, ring-shaped bread, generously coated in sesame seeds. A quintessential street food, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack, perfect with a spread of cheese or za'atar.
Kabab Koobideh
Kabab Koobideh is the quintessential Persian ground meat kebab, renowned for its incredibly juicy and flavorful texture. Typically made with lamb, this dish is considered the king of Persian kebabs, best enjoyed grilled and served with traditional accompaniments.
Kabsa
Saudi Arabia's national dish - a fragrant and flavorful rice dish typically made with chicken or lamb, infused with aromatic baharat spices, tomatoes, and dried limes.
Kafta bil Sayniyeh (Baked Kafta with Potatoes and Tomatoes)
A comforting and flavorful one-pan Lebanese dish featuring seasoned ground meat (kafta) baked with layers of thinly sliced potatoes and tomatoes. This 'sayniyeh' (meaning 'on a tray') is a classic home-cooked meal, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a gathering.
Kafta Meshwi (Lebanese Grilled Kafta)
Kafta Meshwi is a quintessential Lebanese dish featuring seasoned ground meat molded onto flat skewers and grilled to perfection. It's a staple at any Middle Eastern barbecue, offering a flavorful and satisfying experience.
Kebbeh bil Sanieh (Lebanese Baked Kibbeh Tray)
A classic Lebanese comfort food, Kebbeh bil Sanieh features a flavorful mixture of bulgur wheat and ground lamb forming a savory crust, encasing a rich filling of spiced meat and toasted pine nuts. This baked dish is a traditional centerpiece for family gatherings, especially on Sundays.
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.
Knafeh Nabulsieh
Knafeh Nabulsieh is a legendary Middle Eastern dessert featuring shredded phyllo dough (kadaif) layered with stretchy, brined cheese and drenched in a sweet sugar syrup. This version is a classic Lebanese rendition.
Knefeh bil Jibneh (Lebanese Cheese Semolina Dessert)
A beloved Lebanese dessert featuring a golden, toasted semolina crust encasing a layer of warm, stretchy Akkawi cheese, all drenched in a sweet sugar syrup and garnished with crunchy pistachios. This dish is a delightful balance of textures and flavors, perfect for ending a meal.
Kofta Kebab
Tender and flavorful Middle Eastern spiced meat skewers, featuring ground lamb mixed with aromatic spices and fresh herbs, then shaped onto flat skewers and grilled to perfection. Traditionally served with lavash bread and fresh accompaniments.
Koussa Mahshi (Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini)
Tender baby zucchini hollowed out and generously filled with a savory mixture of spiced ground lamb and rice, then gently simmered in a light tomato broth. A classic and comforting Lebanese dish.
Kunafa
A beloved Middle Eastern cheese pastry featuring a crispy, golden crust made from shredded phyllo dough (kataifi) or semolina, encasing a warm, stretchy cheese filling. It's traditionally soaked in a fragrant orange blossom syrup and often garnished with crushed pistachios.
Lahm Meshwi (Lebanese Grilled Lamb Skewers)
Tender, marinated lamb cubes grilled to perfection on skewers, a quintessential Lebanese BBQ favorite.
Lebanese Baklava
A classic Lebanese celebration sweet featuring delicate layers of phyllo dough, a rich mixed nut filling, and a fragrant orange blossom syrup. This baklava is crisp, sweet, and aromatic, perfect for special occasions.
Lebanese Fatteh
A classic Lebanese layered dish featuring crispy toasted pita bread, warm chickpeas, a creamy tahini-yogurt sauce, and a garnish of pine nuts fried in butter. Traditionally enjoyed as a celebratory breakfast, especially during Eid.
Lebanese Kafta Skewers
Flavorful Lebanese spiced meat skewers made with ground lamb, fresh parsley, and onion, grilled to juicy perfection. Traditionally served in pita bread with fresh vegetables.
Maamoul
Traditional Lebanese filled semolina cookies, often made for Easter and Eid celebrations. These delightful cookies feature a crumbly semolina dough encasing a sweet date or spiced nut filling, finished with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Machboos (Bahraini Spiced Rice)
Aromatic Bahraini spiced rice, typically made with chicken or lamb, infused with the complex flavors of baharat spices, tangy dried lime (loomi), and a delicate hint of rose water. This dish is a cornerstone of Gulf cuisine, known for its fragrant aroma and satisfying taste.