166 delicious middle eastern recipes from around the world
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.
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.
A traditional Yemeni dish featuring tender, slow-cooked meat (typically lamb or chicken) infused with aromatic spices and a distinctive smoky flavor, served over fluffy basmati rice. Traditionally cooked in an underground oven (tandoor), this recipe provides methods for achieving a similar smoky essence at home. It's a celebratory dish perfect for gatherings.
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.
Crispy fried balls of spiced chickpeas and fresh herbs, the quintessential Middle Eastern street food. Traditionally served warm in pita bread with a drizzle of tahini sauce.
A festive Palestinian dish, popular in Israel, featuring layers of rice, vegetables, and meat (optional) cooked and then inverted onto a platter.
A fragrant and tender chicken dish inspired by North African and Middle Eastern flavors, featuring the unique tang of preserved lemons, the brininess of olives, and aromatic spices. This dish is often served for special occasions and holidays, embodying the rich culinary heritage of Israeli cuisine.
Jordan's national dish, a rich and flavorful celebration of lamb cooked in a tangy fermented dried yogurt sauce (jameed), served traditionally over layers of rice and crisp shrak bread, and garnished with toasted nuts.
A visually stunning and hearty Iraqi dish where rice, chicken, and fried vegetables are layered in a pot and then flipped over to serve. It's a celebratory meal often prepared for gatherings.
A beloved Palestinian breakfast and snack, Manakeesh are flatbreads topped with a fragrant mixture of za'atar, olive oil, and herbs, traditionally baked in a taboon oven. Served here with creamy labneh for a delightful contrast.
Tender zucchini stuffed with a savory mixture of ground meat and rice, simmered in a tangy, creamy yogurt sauce infused with garlic and mint. This comforting dish is a staple in Syrian homes, often served with vermicelli rice.
A classic Egyptian layered dish featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, crispy fried bread, and a tangy garlic-yogurt sauce, finished with toasted pine nuts. A comforting and flavorful meal.
Sheikh el Mahshi is a beloved Palestinian dish featuring small eggplants hollowed out and stuffed with a flavorful mixture of spiced ground meat and rice, then baked in a rich tomato sauce. It's a comforting and hearty meal, often served as a main course.
Qatayef are small, folded pancakes traditionally enjoyed during Ramadan in Egypt. The batter is cooked on one side only, then filled with a sweet cream (ashta) or chopped nuts, folded in half, and typically deep-fried until golden and crispy, then soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup. They are a beloved sweet treat and a staple of the iftar (breaking the fast) meal.
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.
Tender grape leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of spiced rice and ground lamb, then gently braised until meltingly soft. A beloved classic of Levantine cuisine.
A sweet, dense semolina cake soaked in a fragrant simple syrup, often flavored with rosewater or orange blossom water. Topped with almonds, it's a beloved dessert across the Middle East.
Tender zucchini stuffed with a savory mixture of rice and ground meat, simmered in a tangy and creamy yogurt sauce. A comforting and traditional Palestinian dish.
A fragrant and flavorful one-pot dish of Basmati rice cooked with spiced minced beef, carrots, and peas. Hashweh is a popular comfort food in Eritrean and Middle Eastern cuisines, often served as a complete meal.
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.
Kofta bil Lahm is a savory dish of spiced minced lamb or beef meatballs, often simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce. It's a comforting and flavorful dish, popular across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, often served with rice or bread.
Tender, juicy chicken skewers marinated in a flavorful blend of yogurt, lemon, garlic, and Middle Eastern spices, then grilled to perfection. Shish Tawook is a beloved dish across the Levant, with variations found in Syrian cuisine that emphasize a balance of savory, tangy, and aromatic notes.
Aish El Saraya, meaning 'palace bread,' is a beloved Middle Eastern dessert featuring layers of toasted bread soaked in a fragrant syrup, topped with a creamy custard (ashta), and often garnished with pistachios. It's a rich and decadent dessert perfect for special occasions.
Tender zucchini stuffed with a savory mixture of spiced ground lamb and rice, simmered in a tangy yogurt sauce. This dish is a beloved classic in Syrian cuisine, often served during special occasions and family gatherings.
