You must try these 19 Healthy, Tasty, and Easy Mediterranean Recipes if you are looking to kickstart a healthier lifestyle or need some new cooking ideas!
I've put together a collection of dishes made with fresh, vibrant ingredients that will bring a delightful Mediterranean twist to your family meals!
Papoutsakia - Greek Stuffed Aubergine
Aubergine Papoutsakia (or Patlıcan Pabucaki) is a delightful vegetarian stuffed eggplant dish from Greek and Turkish cuisine. While it traditionally includes ground meat stuffing similar to Greek Moussaka (Musaka), I prefer this vegetarian version as a lighter option, especially during the summer.
To learn more: Papoutsakia - Vegetarian Greek Stuffed Eggplant
Pea Stew with Meat and Potatoes
Etli Bezelye Yemeği, or Pea Stew with Meat and Potatoes, is a popular summer dish in Turkish cuisine. It combines tender meat, sweet peas, and a simple tomato sauce into a delicious and nutritious meal.
This super simple dish uses everyday ingredients to whip up a family meal that's both flavorsome and packed with goodness. Plus, it’s a fun way to sneak more veggies onto your plate without sacrificing flavor.
To learn more: Etli Bezelye Yemeği - Pea Stew with Meat
Smyrna Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Izmir Kofte (a.k.a Soutzoukakia or Smyrna Meatballs) is a traditional dish made with lightly fried meatballs and vegetables baked in tomato sauce.
This delicious kofte dish is from the Izmir region of Turkey and is widely popular around the country. It is typically served with Turkish Rice Pilaf (Sehriyeli Pilav) or Bulgur Pilavi (Turkish Bulgur Pilaf) and a bowl of Greek Cucumber Salad.
To learn more: Izmir Kofte (Smyrna Meatballs)
Rice Stuffed Peppers
These delicious Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers (Biber Dolmasi) are filled with aromatic stuffing made of rice, onions, pine nuts, currants, and various herbs/spices.
You can serve them as a side dish as well as the main meal or an appetizer. The leftovers are great for a boxed lunch the next day or a picnic.
To learn more: Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers (Biber Dolmasi)
Imam Bayildi - Vegan Stuffed Aubergines
Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Aubergine) is a classic Ottoman dish made with eggplants cooked in a generous amount of olive oil and then stuffed with a mixture of onions, tomatoes, and garlic.
Same as Yaprak Sarma-Dolma (Stuffed Grape Leaves), Zeytinyagli Pirasa Yemegi (Turkish Braised Leeks), Zeytinyagli Kereviz Yemegi - Braised Celeriac, and Barbunya (Turkish Style Borlotti Beans), it is a part of the "Zeytinyagli" (Braised in Olive Oil) category in Turkish Cuisine.
To learn more: Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant)
Mediterranean Green Beans
Mediterranean Green Beans (Zeytinyagli Taze Fasulye in Turkish) is a popular vegetarian/vegan dish that is cooked quite often in most Turkish homes during the summer.
This simple yet delicious dish can be made beforehand and usually served warm or at room temperature. All you need is green beans, ripened summer tomatoes, onions, and good-quality olive oil to cook this scrumptious summer dish.
To learn more: Mediterranean Green Beans (Zeytinyagli Taze Fasulye)
Maghmour - Lebanese Moussaka
This deliciously healthy Vegan Lebanese Eggplant Moussaka, also known as Maghmour combines roasted eggplants and chickpeas in a tangy tomato sauce flavored with Lebanese spices.
Just like traditional Turkish Moussaka, this healthy Lebanese eggplant dish is packed with Mediterranean flavors, making it a dream come true for eggplant lovers.
To learn more: Vegan Lebanese Eggplant Moussaka - Maghmour
Yaprak Sarma - Stuffed Wine Leaves
Yaprak Sarma (or Yaprak dolma - Yalanci Dolma) is an authentic vegetarian Turkish dish made from Grape Leaves Stuffed with aromatic rice, fresh Mediterranean herbs, and spices. It's a popular choice for special occasions and gatherings.
Similar to Biber Dolmasi |Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers and Zeytinyagli Enginar Dolmasi - Stuffed Artichokes, these appetizers are versatile and can be served as part of a mezze platter or as a main dish. Yaprak Sarma is enjoyed across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines.
To learn more: Yaprak Sarma - Stuffed Grape Leaves
Turkish Meatballs
This spicy Homemade Kofte (Turkish Meatballs) recipe is extremely easy to make and full of flavor.
You can serve them as an appetizer on their own or as a main meal along with some Crispy Sauté Potatoes with Garlic, Greek Pita Bread, or Turkish Rice (Sehriyeli Pilav). They are soft, juicy, and extremely delicious, the perfect comfort food to feed your family.
To learn more: Homemade Kofte (Turkish Meatballs) Recipe
Tabbouleh Salad
This Taboule Recipe (Lebanese Tabouli Salad) is a refreshing and healthy Middle Eastern salad made with fresh parsley, tomatoes, and bulgur.
It is full of flavor, color, and nutrition and is extremely easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.
To learn more: Taboule Recipe (Lebanese Tabouli Salad)
French Ratatouille Recipe
Traditional French Ratatouille dish is a delightful marriage of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers, infused with aromatic herbs and a hint of garlic.
You can enjoy it as a side dish alongside grilled chicken or meat, especially lamb, or as a vegetarian or vegan main course served over plain rice, couscous, or simply mixed with pasta.
To learn more: Traditional French Ratatouille Nicoise Recipe
Mediterranean Baked Salmon
Mediterranean Baked Salmon is a simple yet impressive and delicious dish, whether you serve it as the centerpiece of a holiday dinner table for special occasions or as a quick weeknight dinner.
It is the perfect combination of fresh salmon fillet marinated with Mediterranean flavors such as lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic.
To learn more: Mediterranean Baked Salmon
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls - Lahana Sarmasi
Turkish Cabbage Rolls (a.k.a Lahana Sarmasi or Dolmasi) is a flavourful dish made of cabbage leaves filled with spiced meat&bulgur mixture.
You can prepare these stuffed cabbage rolls ahead and reheat them before serving them to your dinner guests. Perfect dish for entertaining!
To learn more: Lahana Sarmasi - Turkish Cabbage Rolls
Phyllo Meat and Spinach Pie
This scrumptious Phyllo Meat and Spinach Pie (Egyptian Goulash) recipe is made of layers of thin filo pastries stuffed with a spicy beef & spinach filling.
It is extremely easy to make, tastes absolutely delicious, and is perfect for family gatherings.
To learn more: Phyllo Meat and Spinach Pie (Egyptian Goulash)
Saksuka - Turkish Aubergine Meze
Saksuka (Turkish Vegetable Meze) is a very much loved vegetarian/vegan dish made of shallow-fried vegetables and a simple tomato sauce.
The star ingredient for this traditional Turkish dish is the aubergines/eggplants and the rest of the vegetables added to the dish vary from region to region.
To learn more: Saksuka (Turkish Vegetable Meze)
Turkish Okra Stew - Bamia
Bamya, also known as Bamia or Bamyeh, is a classic Turkish stew dish made with okra, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and lemon juice.
This delicious and healthy stew traditionally contains lamb, beef, or chicken, and the secret to its rich flavor is the long, slow simmering process that gently brings the flavors together.
To learn more: Bamya - Turkish Okra Stew
Prawn Risotto
Creamy Shrimp (or Prawn) Risotto With Peas is a delightful, hearty, and comforting dish made with juicy shrimp, arborio rice, and homemade stock.
Ready in only 30 minutes, this restaurant-quality risotto is perfect for a weeknight meal as well as a romantic date night!
To learn more: Creamy Shrimp Risotto With Peas
Individual Salmon en Croute
Individual Salmon en Croute (or Salmon Wellington) is a classic French gourmet dish made with fresh salmon, spinach, and cream cheese wrapped in buttery and flaky puff pastry.
Ready in just 40 minutes, this delicious salmon dish will be a family favorite that you will want to make again and again!
To learn more: Individual Salmon en Croute
Mediterranean Lentil Soup
Mediterranean Lentil Soup is a healthy, yet incredibly flavorsome dish made with green lentils, onions, carrots, and celery cooked in a tomato-based broth.
It is flavored with bay leaves and cumin and then brightened with a generous amount of lemon juice.
To learn more: Mediterranean Lentil Soup
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