Delicious, Nutritious Middle Eastern Recipes to Try at Home

Canva

Delicious, nutritious Middle Eastern recipes to try at home

Middle Eastern food is among the healthiest cuisines in the world for its heavy inclusion of whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and of course a wide variety of vegetables into the vast majority of dishes.

Stacker compiled a list of Middle Eastern recipes from Allrecipes. Among the key elements to these dishes are aromatic spices, nutrient-dense herbs like turmeric and cumin, and widespread use of seeds in recipes. Many of the spices and seeds can be found online if not at local grocers or health-food stores. Most other ingredients are readily available at your local farmer's market or supermarket.

Keep reading to discover some of the best dishes hailing from countries as diverse as Armenia, Turkey, Iran, and Georgia.

You may also like: The top burger restaurant chains in America

Real Hummus

- Prep: 15 mins
- Total: 15 mins
- Servings: 20
- Yield: 2.5 cups
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Chakchouka (Shakshouka)

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 40 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Hamusta Soup

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Easy Lamb Shawarma

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Additional: 6 hrs
- Total: 6 hrs 40 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 sandwiches
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here

Turkish Kebabs

- Prep: 40 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 1 day
- Total: 1 day
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 kebabs
- Number of ingredients: 18
- Read more about the recipe here

You may also like: Fright night done right: Here are 10 tricks for throwing the ultimate Halloween party

Thick-Style Lebanese Garlic Sauce

- Prep: 15 mins
- Total: 15 mins
- Servings: 32
- Yield: 1 quart
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Lavosh

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 15 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 loaves
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Keftedes - Greek Meatballs

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

Fereni Starch Pudding

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Chef John's Harissa Sauce

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 10 mins
- Total: 45 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Kanafa

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch pan
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Pita Chips

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 7 mins
- Total: 17 mins
- Servings: 24
- Yield: 8 dozen
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Sean's Falafel and Cucumber Sauce

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 22
- Read more about the recipe here

Turkish Red Lentil 'Bride' Soup

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 15 mins
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Turkish Chicken Kebabs

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 12 mins
- Additional: 2 hrs
- Total: 2 hrs 27 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 large portions
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

You may also like: Where in the world do your groceries come from?

Turkish Eggs (Cilbir)

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 2
- Yield: 4 eggs
- Number of ingredients: 17
- Read more about the recipe here

Chicken Shawarma Marinade

- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 4 hrs
- Total: 4 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Shawarma Marinade for Chicken

- Prep: 10 mins
- Total: 10 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Kofta Kebabs

- Prep: 45 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 80 mins
- Servings: 28
- Yield: 28 skewers
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

Ghormeh Sabzi (Persian Herb Stew)

- Prep: 45 mins
- Cook: 2 hrs 24 mins
- Total: 2 hrs 69 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here

You may also like: 2024's best cities for grilling meat

Persian Rice

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Total: 70 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Easy Baklava

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 50 mins
- Additional: 40 mins
- Total: 120 mins
- Servings: 36
- Yield: 1 9x13 inch dish
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Afghani Kabli Pulao

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 42 mins
- Additional: 32 mins
- Total: 99 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 19
- Read more about the recipe here

Shish Tawook Grilled Chicken

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 4 hrs
- Total: 4 hrs 40 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 kabobs
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here

Easy Shakshuka

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 45 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

You may also like: Light versus dark—the color of the turkey meat is due to the job of the muscle

Lebanese Mountain Bread

- Prep: 20 mins
- Additional: 9 hrs 18 mins
- Total: 9 hrs 38 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 portions
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Homemade Manti (Traditional Turkish Dumplings)

- Prep: 35 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 90 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Shakshuka (Middle Eastern Breakfast Dish)

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 2
- Yield: 2 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Lebanese Seven Spices

- Prep: 5 mins
- Total: 5 mins
- Servings: 106
- Yield: 2 cups
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Israeli Tomato and Cucumber Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

You may also like: The most popular hot sauces in the US—and the history behind them

No Fail Bean Pie

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 50 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 80 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 1 9-inch pie
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Chicken Curry and Potatoes

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Arabic Fattoush Salad

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

Baba Ghanoush

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Additional: 3 hrs
- Total: 3 hrs 45 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 1 1/2 cups
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Middle Eastern Rice with Black Beans and Chickpeas

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here

You may also like: 23 Halloween candies ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest

Kanafa

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch pan
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Al Kabsa - Traditional Saudi Rice and Chicken

- Prep: 40 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 30 mins
- Total: 1 hr 70 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 23
- Read more about the recipe here

Extra Easy Hummus

- Prep: 5 mins
- Total: 5 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Turkish Red Lentil Soup with Mint

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

Bazlama - Turkish Flat Bread

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 3 hrs 15 mins
- Total: 3 hrs 60 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 flatbreads
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

You may also like: It's pumpkin spice season: 17 fall coffee drinks ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest

Chef John's Harissa Sauce

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 10 mins
- Total: 45 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread)

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Additional: 1 hr 5 mins
- Total: 1 hr 55 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 2 khachapuri
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

Zhug Chicken

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 1 hr 30 mins
- Total: 1 hr 95 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Chef John's Falafel

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 12 hrs
- Total: 12 hrs 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Turkey Kofta Kabobs

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 40 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 kabobs
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

You may also like: Wegovy diet plan: What foods to eat and avoid while taking semaglutide

Hummus III

- Prep: 10 mins
- Total: 10 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 2 cups
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Chef John's Baba Ghanoush

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 3 hrs 20 mins
- Total: 3 hrs 65 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 6 cups
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Balela Salad

- Prep: 25 mins
- Total: 25 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Chicken Shawarma Salad

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Additional: 4 hrs 10 mins
- Total: 4 hrs 55 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 salads
- Number of ingredients: 18
- Read more about the recipe here