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Middle Eastern Recipes
55 recipes — each showing allergens, prep time, and servings. Page 1 of 3.
Where it's from
Lebanon, Türkiye, Iran, Saudi Arabia
Middle Eastern cuisine spans many Arab, Turkish, Persian, Kurdish, Armenian, and diaspora foodways rather than one single tradition.
National dish
Hummus · Kibbeh · Kabsa
Several dishes are commonly cited in different countries; there is no single region-wide national dish.
Signature ingredients
Core techniques
- grilling over charcoal. Skewered meats, vegetables, and flatbreads are often cooked over live fire for smoky flavor.
- slow braising. Stews and rice dishes commonly build flavor through long cooking with spices, legumes, or meat.
- stuffing and rolling. Vegetables and leaves are frequently filled with rice, herbs, meat, or legumes.
A typical day of eating
Breakfast
Breakfast often includes bread, cheeses, olives, eggs, labneh, or beans depending on the country.
Lunch
Lunch is commonly the main meal, with rice, stews, grilled meats, salads, or shared mezze.
Dinner
Dinner is often lighter or social, featuring soups, flatbreads, leftovers, or small shared dishes.
Street food
Comfort food
Popular desserts
Typical drinks
Holidays & festival food
Eid al-Fitr
Ma'amoul · Kleicha
Filled cookies and sweets are commonly prepared for visits and family gatherings.
Nowruz
Sabzi polo ba mahi · Kuku sabzi
Persian New Year tables often feature herb-forward dishes with symbolic associations.
Ramadan
Harees · Qatayef · Lentil soup
Evening meals commonly include soups, sweets, and substantial shared dishes.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Halawet El Jibn
A Levantine sweet cheese roll of stretched mozzarella and semolina dough wrapped around rose-scented clotted cream, topped with crushed pistachios and sugar syrup.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Dolma (Warak Enab)
Grape leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice, meat, and herbs.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Mujadara
A comforting dish of cooked lentils together with groats or rice, garnished with sautéed onions.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Umm Ali
An Egyptian bread pudding of flaky puff pastry soaked in sweetened milk and cream, topped with almonds, pistachios, raisins, and coconut, then baked until bubbling.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Fasolia
A hearty white bean stew cooked with meat in a tomato broth.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Musakhan
Roasted chicken baked with onions, sumac, allspice, saffron, and fried pine nuts served over taboon bread.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Sujuk
Sliced cured spiced Middle Eastern sausage pan-fried with eggs and tomato, a savory breakfast skillet.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Mloukhiyeh
A nutrient-rich stew made from minced jute leaves, served with chicken and rice.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Hareeseh (Meat)
A savory porridge made of beaten wheat and meat, common in the Levant.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Baba Ghanoush
Fire-roasted eggplant blended with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice into a smoky Middle Eastern dip, finished with olive oil and parsley.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Sabich
A pita sandwich stuffed with fried eggplant and hard-boiled eggs.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Shawarma
Thinly sliced marinated meat roasted on a slow-turning vertical rotisserie.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Makdous
Baby eggplants stuffed with a spiced walnut, red pepper, and garlic filling, packed in salt and olive oil to pickle, a tangy Levantine preserved appetizer.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Fatteh
A dish consisting of pieces of fresh, toasted, or stale flatbread covered with other ingredients.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Labneh
Thick, strained yogurt often served with olive oil and za'atar.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Koshari
Egypt's national dish mixing lentils, rice, pasta, and spicy tomato sauce.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Tahini Sauce
A silky, lemony sesame sauce that drizzles beautifully over falafel, roasted vegetables, and grilled meats throughout the Middle East.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Za'atar Bread
Soft bread baked with a thick topping of za'atar and olive oil.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Qatayef
Sweet dumplings filled with cream or nuts, usually served during Ramadan.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Samak Mashwi
A whole branzino or sea bass marinated in garlic, cumin, coriander, and lemon, then grilled until crisp-skinned, a classic Levantine grilled fish.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Hummus
Chickpeas blended smooth with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, seasoned with cumin, the classic creamy Middle Eastern dip.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Maqluba
An upside-down Levantine rice dish layered with fried eggplant, cauliflower, potatoes, and spiced chicken thighs, flipped tableside to reveal its layers.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Fattoush
A vibrant mixed greens salad topped with crispy fried pita bread.
Middle Eastern Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Muhammara
Roasted red peppers blended with toasted walnuts, pomegranate molasses, and breadcrumbs into a sweet-tart, nutty Syrian dip.
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