Discover the Best of Mediterranean Food: Recipes to Transport You

Whether you’re committed to the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet or simply crave the vibrant tastes of the region, our curated list of Mediterranean recipes offers something for everyone. From energizing breakfasts to satisfying dinners, flavorful soups, refreshing salads, and even delightful desserts, embark on a culinary journey through the sunny Mediterranean. This selection is just a taste of what’s available; explore our extensive collection of Mediterranean Diet Recipes for even more inspiration.

What Exactly is Mediterranean Food?

Mediterranean Food is a tapestry of flavors, reflecting the diverse cultures and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, from Southern Europe to North Africa and the Middle East. Embracing the Mediterranean diet is an exciting and delicious approach to eating, celebrated for its balance and health benefits. Consistently recognized as a top healthy diet by US News and World Report, its appeal is undeniable.

Whether you are a newcomer or a loyal follower of The Mediterranean Dish, you’ll discover a rich collection of contemporary Mediterranean recipes that honor the sun-kissed region of my heritage.

Every December, I eagerly anticipate updating this list with the very BEST Mediterranean recipes from the past year. This compilation blends reader favorites, exciting new discoveries, personal staples, and timeless classics that people return to time and again. It’s fascinating to see which recipes resonated most throughout the year. While Mediterranean food staples like shawarma, falafel, the ever-versatile tomato cucumber salad, and the simple yet iconic Greek salad remain popular, many innovative recipes with modern twists have also emerged as beloved additions to our site.

Whether you’re interested in adopting the Mediterranean diet or simply seeking flavorful, healthier meal options, this curated list of over 30 Mediterranean recipes is your guide to culinary delight this year.

Understanding the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet emphasizes a wholesome approach to eating, prioritizing an abundance of vegetables and fruits, legumes, whole grains, lean proteins like fish and poultry, and healthy fats, especially high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

It’s not about strict rules; it’s a lifestyle that embraces enjoyment and balance. Yes, you can indulge in a little dessert or a Negroni occasionally! It’s as much about savoring life as it is about food – happiness is a key ingredient for well-being. For a deeper understanding of this dietary approach, explore our article, “What is the Mediterranean diet and how to follow it.”

The majority of recipes featured in this roundup align with the principles of the Mediterranean way of eating, offering an excellent starting point for your culinary exploration. (And for your convenience, here’s a helpful shopping list to equip your pantry for Mediterranean cooking). Now, let’s dive into the best Mediterranean food recipes of the year!

Start Your Day the Mediterranean Way: Breakfast Recipes

Mediterranean breakfasts are known for being quick, nutritious, and full of flavor. Here are some top breakfast recipes from the past year, and there are many more Mediterranean Breakfast ideas waiting to be discovered on our site.

Spanakopita Egg Muffins

Inspired by the classic Greek spinach pie, spanakopita, these egg muffins are packed with spinach, feta cheese, parsley, and mint. Gluten-free and vegetarian, they are perfect for a make-ahead breakfast or a protein-rich snack when you’re on the go.

Easy Shakshuka Recipe

Originating from Tunisia, shakshuka is a North African staple featuring eggs gently poached in a flavorful tomato sauce with bell peppers and onions. Ideal with fresh tomatoes during summer, canned tomatoes work perfectly in colder months. Explore variations like White Bean Shakshuka for added protein and nutrition or Green Shakshuka for a fresh twist.

Sweet Potato Hash

This isn’t your average diner hash! This Mediterranean-inspired sweet potato hash is elevated with aromatic za’atar and warm Mediterranean spices, along with chickpeas and bell pepper for enhanced texture and flavor. Pair this savory hash with freshly brewed Arabic tea with mint for a complete Mediterranean breakfast experience.

Oven Baked Eggs

Discover the easiest way to cook eggs! Simply bake them in the oven with fresh herbs and tangy feta cheese. This recipe is a lifesaver for effortless entertaining or quick weekday mornings. Serve with focaccia for dipping and a refreshing fruit salad on the side.

Mediterranean Dinner Recipes: Flavorful and Healthy Mains

“What’s for dinner?” – a daily question that’s often hard to answer. Worry no more! We’ve compiled a selection of easy and delicious Mediterranean dinner ideas, blending traditional and modern dishes, all bursting with authentic Mediterranean flavors.

Garlic Dijon Chicken

This effortless one-skillet meal features juicy, tender chicken marinated in a tangy blend of Dijon mustard, garlic, honey, and fresh parsley. Made with simple pantry staples, it’s a quick dinner solution ready in minutes. Serve with Italian Roasted Vegetables for a complete and satisfying Mediterranean feast.

Shrimp Scampi

This 15-minute shrimp recipe is an absolute crowd-pleaser! The lemony, garlicky sauce is irresistible, especially when paired with crusty bread or couscous to soak up every last drop. As one delighted reader commented, “This Shrimp scampi recipe was a thousand times better than any other shrimp scampi recipe that I’ve made or been served in a restaurant… It was one of the best meals that I’ve had all year!” Try it and experience the flavor for yourself.

Stuffed Salmon with Spinach, Capers, and Greek Yogurt

This stuffed salmon recipe is a Mediterranean flavor explosion! Tender salmon fillets are filled with a savory mixture of roasted red peppers, briny capers, and preserved lemon for a burst of bright, savory goodness in every bite. Greek yogurt adds a creamy tang to the filling. Wholesome and elegant, it’s perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken

This sheet pan dinner delivers a nutritious and delicious meal with minimal effort – just 10 minutes of prep time! The marinade cleverly doubles as a zesty salad dressing. Make extra to toss with a simple arugula avocado salad while the chicken roasts for a complete and balanced Mediterranean meal.

Greek-Style Roasted Branzino

Enjoy perfectly roasted whole fish in just 20 minutes! Elevate it Greek-style with a drizzle of lemony, garlicky ladolemono sauce for an authentic Mediterranean touch.

Greek Lamb Kleftiko

Discover how to make incredibly tender Greek lamb roast that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. The secret is slow-cooking the lamb with vegetables in parchment paper, trapping heat and ensuring succulent, fall-apart-tender meat.

Chicken Shawarma

A vibrant blend of warm Middle Eastern spices infuses these chicken thighs with incredible flavor! Simply bake them in the oven until juicy and tender. This recipe is a consistent favorite within The Mediterranean Dish community, as well as among friends and family. Create a shawarma feast by serving with pita bread, tahini sauce or tzatziki sauce, and cucumber tomato salad. For a smoky depth, try Grilled Chicken Shawarma. Vegetarian? Explore our spicy cauliflower shawarma for a delicious vegan alternative!

Grilled Cod with Pistachio-Herb Salsa

Grilled cod is enhanced by a touch of smoky flavor, perfectly complemented by a quick and easy Mediterranean herb sauce. This vibrant salsa, a twist on salsa fresca, bursts with lemon, parsley, mint, and garlic, balanced with the tender crunch and nutty richness of pistachios.

Loaded Mediterranean Falafel Bowls

Transform dinner bowls with a Mediterranean twist. Prepare falafel traditionally, in the air fryer, or baked. Assemble your bowl with your favorite dip (we recommend hummus) and a fresh salad. Elevate it further with pickles and olives for an authentic Mediterranean experience.

Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic

This baked fish recipe has long been a reader favorite! Ready in just over 15 minutes, it’s all about the flavorful garlic and lemon sauce. Feel free to use any white fish fillet you prefer.

Pesto Gnocchi with Summer Vegetables

This simple pesto recipe combines pan-seared gnocchi with fresh summer vegetables and garlicky basil pesto. Make Basil Pesto and Potato Gnocchi from scratch for a truly homemade meal, or use store-bought options for a quick weeknight dinner ready in 35 minutes or less.

Easy Chicken Paella

Paella, a renowned rice dish from Spain, always feels celebratory, yet this version is easy enough for a weeknight meal. Juicy chicken thighs, flavorful chicken stock, smoked paprika, and saffron infuse short-grain rice with incredible depth of flavor. Remember not to stir it to achieve the prized crispy socarrat at the bottom of the pan!

Spinach Pasta with Za’atar, Lemon, and Parsley

This vibrant and fresh pasta dish features more spinach than pasta by weight! Earthy za’atar, bright lemon, and fresh parsley beautifully complement tender spinach and a garlicky olive oil sauce, with a touch of red pepper flakes for warmth. Finished with Parmesan cheese, it’s nutty, tangy, and utterly satisfying. If you’re new to this spice blend, learn more in our article, “What is za’atar?”

Comforting Mediterranean Soups and Stews

For a comforting bowl of warmth, look no further than Mediterranean soups and stews. Discover everything from plant-based protein powerhouses to seafood delights, and of course, chicken soup just like mom used to make.

Ratatouille

This easy ratatouille recipe adapts the famous slow-simmered Provençal stew for busy weeknights! It retains all the flavor and vegetable goodness but is ready in around 45 minutes. Even better the next day! Serve it hot, at room temperature, chilled, with a fried egg on top, or simply on its own.

Mediterranean-Style White Chicken Chili with Chermoula

Inspired by Mediterranean flavors, this white chicken chili recipe, featured in my cookbook The Mediterranean Dish: Simply Dinner, offers a unique twist on a classic. It features cannellini beans, chicken, and corn, enhanced with the bold Mediterranean flavors of Chermoula, a zesty North-African herb sauce drizzled on top.

Pastina Soup

Known as “Italian penicillin” by Nonnas, this chicken noodle soup is packed with vegetables, tiny pasta, delicate chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. This comforting soup is perfect for warming you up and warding off winter colds, but it’s equally enjoyable anytime. Ready in just one pot and 30 minutes! Homemade chicken stock elevates it, but store-bought works well too. Serve with lemon parmesan lettuce salad or a simple green salad with balsamic vinaigrette.

Cioppino Recipe (Seafood Stew)

Cioppino, pronounced chuh-pee-no, is a deeply satisfying Italian-American seafood stew, a delightful mix of textures and flavors with clams, mussels, white fish, and shrimp, simmered in a rich tomato-fennel broth. This stew exemplifies how Mediterranean food has evolved and adapted over time.

Greek Red Lentil Soup

Super-healthy red lentils break down as they cook in a tomato-based broth, giving this Greek soup a velvety texture. Onions, garlic, and carrots provide a savory base, while cumin, oregano, and rosemary add layers of flavor. Vegan as is, it’s finished with lemon juice and parsley, but you can add a sprinkle of feta if desired.

Mediterranean Salads and Sides: Fresh and Vibrant

One of the best aspects of Mediterranean food is the emphasis on big salads and vegetable sides as part of every meal! Here are just a few favorites from our collection…

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

This simple chickpea salad is loaded with fresh herbs, juicy grape tomatoes, roasted red peppers, crisp cucumber, and creamy avocado. Satisfying and delicious, thanks to its high plant-based protein and fiber, it’s excellent on its own or alongside Baked Salmon or Grilled Chicken.

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa, a protein-rich seed that cooks quickly, forms the base of this lemony chopped vegetable salad. Scallions, peppers, and cucumber add crunch, while Greek kalamata olives and feta provide savory notes. It’s a great make-ahead salad, staying fresh in the fridge for up to a week.

Mediterranean Cucumber and Tomato Salad

This simple salad features tomatoes and cucumbers, elevated with parsley and red onion. Dress it with good extra virgin olive oil (like our Greek Early Harvest EVOO), lemon juice, salt, pepper, and a dash of sumac! Enjoy it solo, over fish, in shawarma, or in your favorite grain bowl.

Tabouli

The quintessential Middle Eastern salad, tabouli, stars parsley, bulgur, and tomatoes. We love adding cucumbers for extra crunch. You’ll need fine bulgur wheat for this recipe, but for a gluten-free option, try quinoa or cauliflower tabouli.

Greek Salad (Traditional Horiatiki Recipe)

Large chunks of feta cheese make this simple salad a showstopper. But it’s the vibrant mix of crunchy raw cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onion underneath that keeps you coming back for more! This versatile salad pairs perfectly with Greek roasted meats like pork souvlaki and kleftiko (Greek lamb in parchment).

Watermelon Salad

Another classic Mediterranean salad with bright, refreshing flavors. Cubes of watermelon and cucumber are tossed in a simple honey and citrus dressing and finished with fresh herbs and feta. Perfect for summer cooking, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Mediterranean Mezze, Sauces, Snacks and Extras: Small Plates, Big Flavors

Shareable sides and small plates, known as mezze, are integral to Mediterranean cuisine, perfect for starting, complementing, or completing a meal, and include some of our most beloved recipes.

Hummus

Think of hummus as a foundational recipe in your Mediterranean Diet toolkit. Enjoy it simply as a dip with pita chips and vegetables, use it to create layered hummus with spiced meat, top it with Middle Eastern meatballs, or use it as a protein-rich spread for wraps or breakfast toast.

Turkish Ezme

Originating from southern Turkey, Ezme, meaning “crushed” in Turkish, is named for its finely chopped vegetables. Fresh tomatoes, onions, peppers, and herbs combine with rich Pepper Paste and tomato paste, and tangy lemon juice. This versatile spread offers a wonderful balance of fresh, sweet, spicy, and acidic flavors, making it a favorite mezze to serve with Kofta Kebab or Pita Bread.

Giardiniera (Italian Pickled Vegetables)

These crisp Italian pickled vegetables are surprisingly easy to make and incredibly useful to have in your fridge! Incorporate them into antipasto salad, add to your cheese board or sandwiches, or serve as a refreshing side to roasted meat – the possibilities are endless!

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti sauce is surprisingly simple to make with a few pantry staples! Perfectly thick and packed with flavor, you’ll soon be saying goodbye to store-bought pasta sauce forever!

Mediterranean Breads: From Crusty to Pillowy

Crusty No Knead Olive Bread

No-knead bread has become a kitchen staple, and once you try this version, homemade bread will likely become a weekly tradition. This olive bread boasts a tender interior dotted with olives and a crispy crust, perfect for dipping in olive oil or soaking up the delicious broth from your favorite soup recipes.

Focaccia Bread

Once you master this Italian bread, crispy on the outside and chewy inside, you’ll be making it constantly! This recipe provides all the tips and tricks you need, plus you’ll love the robust flavors of rosemary and roasted garlic! Use it for pizza or a vegetarian focaccia sandwich.

Pita Bread

If you don’t have a Middle Eastern bakery nearby, making your own perfect, pillowy pita bread is easier than you think! This simple recipe uses ingredients you probably already have. Pita bread can be made in the oven or a skillet and freezes well, making it ideal for batch cooking.

Mediterranean Desserts: Sweet Endings

Everyone deserves a treat occasionally, and desserts are a welcome part of a balanced Mediterranean lifestyle. We favor desserts made with olive oil and less sugar, but still bursting with flavor, color, and beauty! And of course, fruit salad is always a wonderful light and healthy way to finish a meal.

Yogurt Cake

Perfect as a light dessert or a satisfying snack with a cup of floral green tea, this simple loaf cake, made with Greek yogurt and buttery olive oil, has a hint of vanilla flavor. It’s a great base for using leftover fruit salad. This recipe is also the foundation for our sweet and nutty Pistachio Cake.

Baklava

Baklava is a timeless favorite, and it turns out, many of our readers agree! Every year, countless people make this nutty baklava recipe with perfectly honeyed layers of phyllo. The best part? Baklava is a fantastic make-ahead dessert as it tastes even better the next day. For a modern twist, try cheesecake baklava!

Orange Cardamom Olive Oil Cake

Originally featured in The Mediterranean Dish Cookbook, this is our top dessert of the year! In my opinion, no cake is as moist as an olive oil cake. This one is infused with cardamom and plenty of orange! Serve it with tea or your favorite hot beverage.

Persian Love Cake

Persian love cake is a delicate and moist cake flavored with citrus, cardamom, cinnamon, and rosewater. Finished with a tangy lemon glaze and a sprinkle of rose petals and crushed pistachios. While not strictly Mediterranean, Persian cuisine shares many flavor profiles with neighboring Mediterranean countries, including the use of rosewater.

*This post is updated annually to reflect reader choices and top Mediterranean recipes. Browse all Mediterranean recipes here.

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