166 delicious middle eastern recipes from around the world
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.
Bamya is a hearty and flavorful okra stew, a beloved dish in Israeli and wider Middle Eastern cuisine. Typically made with tender okra simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce, often with meat, it's a comforting and nutritious meal usually served with rice.
A delightful variation of kibbeh where fried bulgur and meat shells are simmered in a rich, tangy yogurt sauce, often enhanced with pine nuts and served with rice.
Tender chicken skewers marinated in a vibrant blend of yogurt, lemon, garlic, and spices, then grilled to perfection. Palestinian style often includes a touch of sumac and paprika.
Maqluba, meaning 'upside-down' in Arabic, is a celebratory Palestinian dish featuring layers of fragrant spiced rice, tender chicken, and roasted vegetables, all cooked together and dramatically flipped onto a serving platter. It's a comforting and visually stunning meal, often reserved for special occasions and family gatherings.
A popular Yemeni breakfast dish, 'Kebda' features tender chicken livers sautéed with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and a blend of aromatic spices. It's often served with traditional Yemeni bread (khobz).
Malabi is a creamy, delicate milk pudding, a popular Middle Eastern dessert that has found a special place in Israeli street food culture. Traditionally served chilled, it's often garnished with rosewater syrup, chopped nuts, and fresh fruit, offering a refreshing and sweet treat.
Tender and flavorful lamb kebabs marinated in a blend of traditional Kuwaiti spices, then grilled to perfection. Often served with rice or flatbread.
Urfa Kebab is a mild, yet flavorful lamb kebab originating from the southeastern region of Turkey, characterized by the smoky and slightly sweet notes of Urfa pepper. Unlike its spicier counterpart, Adana Kebab, Urfa Kebab offers a gentler heat profile, making it a popular choice for a wider audience.
A vibrant and flavorful dish featuring a whole roasted cauliflower drizzled with a creamy tahini sauce and garnished with jewel-like pomegranate seeds. This dish is a popular modern Israeli classic, often found in restaurants and home kitchens alike, showcasing the region's affinity for fresh ingredients and bold flavors.
Tender lamb koftas infused with the sweetness of kumara (sweet potato) and aromatic spices, served with a refreshing mint and yoghurt dipping sauce. This dish offers a unique New Zealand twist on a Middle Eastern classic, incorporating the popular kumara.
A fragrant and colorful rice pilaf infused with the delicate aroma of saffron, studded with sweet raisins and crunchy pine nuts. This dish is a popular side, often served during holidays like Rosh Hashanah for good luck.
Delicate and fragrant, these shortbread-like cookies combine the nutty crunch of pistachios with the floral aroma of rosewater, offering a taste of Middle Eastern-inspired baking popular in Israel.
A baked dish of layered bulgur wheat and spiced ground meat, often with a pine nut filling, creating a savory and satisfying casserole.
A dramatic and flavorful Lebanese upside-down rice dish, featuring layers of spiced meat, tender fried vegetables, and aromatic rice, all flipped onto a platter for a stunning presentation. The name 'Maqluba' literally means 'upside-down' in Arabic.
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.
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.
A hearty and tangy vegan stew from Jordan, featuring tender lentils and eggplant simmered in a flavorful broth of pomegranate juice, molasses, and garlic. This dish is known for its unique sweet and sour profile.
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.
A vibrant and refreshing Middle Eastern salad featuring a mix of crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and crunchy toasted pita bread, all tossed in a tangy sumac and lemon dressing. While Fattoush is popular across the Levant, this version incorporates Yemeni culinary nuances.
Maqluba, meaning 'upside-down' in Arabic, is a visually stunning and flavorful rice dish layered with tender chicken, vegetables, and aromatic spices. It's cooked in a pot and then dramatically inverted onto a serving platter, revealing a beautiful mosaic of ingredients.
Tender kohlrabi shells filled with a savory mixture of rice, ground beef, and aromatic herbs, all brought together with a creamy tahini sauce. This dish offers a unique blend of earthy kohlrabi and classic Middle Eastern flavors.
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.
Shish Barak is a comforting and flavorful dish of small dumplings filled with spiced meat, simmered in a tangy yogurt sauce. It's a beloved traditional meal often prepared for gatherings and special occasions.
