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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.
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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
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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
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Kanafa
– Prep: 25 mins
– Cook: 35 mins
– Total: 60 mins
– Servings: 8
– Yield: 1 9×13-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
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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
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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 9×13 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
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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
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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
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Kanafa
– Prep: 25 mins
– Cook: 35 mins
– Total: 60 mins
– Servings: 8
– Yield: 1 9×13-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
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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
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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
Israeli Salad
– Prep: 25 mins
– Total: 25 mins
– Servings: 5
– Yield: 5 servings
– Number of ingredients: 11
– Read more about the recipe here
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