Middle Eastern Dips and Mezzes to Serve at Your Next Party

Serve these delicious Middle Eastern dips and mezzes at your next party and watch everyone gather around the table. You’ve got creamy hummus, smoky baba ganoush, simple salads, and yoghurt dips with fresh herbs. They’re easy to make, and nothing fancy is needed. Just a few simple ingredients and some warm bread on the side. Great for putting everything out and letting everyone help themselves.

Turkish Spinach Dip

Ispanak Borani is a creamy, earthy, and delicious Turkish dip made with spinach, onions, garlic, and yogurt. It’s usually served as an appetizer or a side dish, and is best when served with warm Persian Flatbread or pita.

To learn more: Turkish Spinach Dip - Ispanak Borani

Muhammara

Muhammara, also known as Acuka in Turkish, is a delicious Middle Eastern dip made with red pepper paste, garlic, walnuts, spices, and olive oil. It is extremely easy to prepare and is ready in 15 minutes with minimal cleaning up!

To learn more: Muhammara (Red Pepper Dip)

Hummus

Hummus Dip is a Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern spread made with chickpeas and tahini, then seasoned with lemon, garlic, and cumin. This extremely creamy, smooth and fresh dip comes together in just 25 minutes!

To learn more: Mediterranean Hummus Dip

Arnavut Cigeri

Arnavut Cigeri is a Turkish Liver dish consisting of pan-fried lamb or veal liver cubes seasoned with chili flakes and served with sumac, onion, and parsley salad. It is generally served as a part of a mezze spread or starter. However, you can also eat a larger portion as the main course.

To learn more: Arnavut Cigeri

Baba Ganoush

This Turkish-style Baba Ganoush without tahini is a smokey and flavorsome eggplant dip made with fresh Mediterranean ingredients. It is extremely easy to make and pairs perfectly with pita bread.

To learn more: Baba Ganoush Without Tahini

Pacanga Boregi

pacing boregi served with salad and olives — Ayla Clulee

Turkish Cuisine has many delicious borek recipes, and Paçanga Böreği is one of the nation's favorites. These crispy and savory treats are perfect as an appetizer as well as a part of a mezze platter or Turkish breakfast/brunch item.

To learn more: Paçanga Böreği

Ajvar - Red Pepper and Aubergine Dip

dipping ajar with pita chip — Ayla Clulee

Ajvar is a delicious dip popular in the Balkans and Turkey. It’s traditionally made with roasted red bell peppers, aubergines, garlic, vinegar, and oil. If you enjoy a bit of spice, you can easily add chili peppers to the mix!

To learn more: Ajvar - Red Pepper and Eggplant Dip

Saksuka (Turkish Vegetable Meze)

saksuka is served in a bowl — Ayla Clulee

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 and the rest of the vegetables added to the dish vary from region to region.

To learn more: Saksuka (Turkish Vegetable Meze)

Cerkez Tavugu

garnish the dish before serving — Ayla Clulee

Çerkez Tavuğu (Circassian Chicken) is a delicious mezze/appetizer made of shredded poached chicken mixed with a creamy walnut sauce. Although this chicken dish was typically served as a main course during the Ottomans, it became popular as an appetizer or meze in modern Turkish cuisine.

To learn more: Çerkez Tavuğu (Circassian Chicken)

Haydari

Haydari is a delicious Turkish Yoghurt Dip made with feta cheese, thick strained yogurt, fresh herbs, and chopped walnuts. This tangy dip is one of the most popular mezes in Turkey and also is widely served in Turkish restaurants with kebabs and Pita Bread along with Ezme Salad (Acili Ezme).

To learn more: Haydari (Turkish Yoghurt Dip)

Karides Guvec

baked shrimp served with salad and crusty bread — Ayla Clulee

Cheesy Baked Prawns (Karides Guvec) is a delicious Turkish dish usually served as an appetizer or a hot meze in seafood restaurants. It is made of fresh plump prawns cooked in a garlicky tomato & mushroom sauce and then topped with cheese.

To learn more: Cheesy Baked Shrimp (Karides Guvec)

Tabbouleh

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 typically served as a part of a mezze platter.

To learn more: Taboule Recipe (Lebanese Tabouli Salad)

Persian Marinated Olives

zeytoon parvardeh is served as an appetiser — Ayla Clulee

Zeytoon Parvardeh is a Persian Marinated Olive dish made with green olives, walnuts, pomegranate molasses, garlic, and fresh herbs. It’s rich, tangy, and a little nutty—full of the kind of flavor that makes you go back for another bite. It is perfect as a quick appetizer, side dish, or a fun way to dress up a simple mezze board.

To learn more: Zeytoon Parvardeh - Persian Marinated Olive