Top 10 Middle Eastern Recipes

From crispy chickpeas and Persian-spiced chicken, to garlicky Shawarma bowls, these top-rated Middle Eastern recipes invite you to celebrate the vibrant and aromatic flavors of this delightful cuisine. Join the party and get cooking!
From crispy chickpeas and Persian-spiced chicken, to garlicky Shawarma bowls, these top-rated Middle Eastern recipes invite you to celebrate the vibrant and aromatic flavors of this delightful cuisine. Join the party and get cooking!

Top Middle Eastern Recipe #1

One thing’s for sure, this is not your typical grilled cheese. With its golden Za'atar crust, it’s a mouthwatering crash course in the art of Middle Eastern seasoning. The perfect starting point for your culinary aspirations.

Za'atar-Crusted Grilling Cheese with Sumac and Roasted Veggies

There’s something undeniably intriguing about the spice blend, Za'atar. Dried oregano and thyme give it a woodsy and floral base while the toasted sesame seeds add that rich nutty flavor we love in Middle Eastern dishes. In this recipe, the aromatic blend serves as a coat for a perfectly charred grilled cheese that’s paired up with oven-baked veggies (spiced with a hint of tangy Sumac) and lightly toasted couscous.

Za'atar-Crusted Grilling Cheese with Sumac and Roasted Veggies

There’s something undeniably intriguing about the spice blend, Za'atar. Dried oregano and thyme give it a woodsy and floral base while the toasted sesame seeds add that rich nutty flavor we love in Middle Eastern dishes. In this recipe, the aromatic blend serves as a coat for a perfectly charred grilled cheese that’s paired up with oven-baked veggies (spiced with a hint of tangy Sumac) and lightly toasted couscous.

Top Middle Eastern Recipe #2

With this palate pleaser, you get all the flavors minus the guilt. Once again, the secret lies in the right seasoning. With a delicious blend of Ras el Hanout, honey, garlic, and some lemon juice, you’re taking roasted veggies to the next level.

Crispy Chickpea and Roasted Cauliflower Salad

How can something so simple taste so good? We promise, this aromatic veggie dish is not only super easy to make, but also incredibly light and lets you indulge with a clean conscience. It stars a true kitchen hero, the versatile cauliflower, along with some sweet carrots and snazzy chickpeas for that extra bit of crunch. All you have to do is pop the trio in the oven to roast, toss it in a delicious garlic vinaigrette, and mix in some tenderly cooked quinoa.

Crispy Chickpea and Roasted Cauliflower Salad

How can something so simple taste so good? We promise, this aromatic veggie dish is not only super easy to make, but also incredibly light and lets you indulge with a clean conscience. It stars a true kitchen hero, the versatile cauliflower, along with some sweet carrots and snazzy chickpeas for that extra bit of crunch. All you have to do is pop the trio in the oven to roast, toss it in a delicious garlic vinaigrette, and mix in some tenderly cooked quinoa.

Top Middle Eastern Recipe #3

Our home cooks are in love with this deconstructed pita dish also known as fattoush. And we’re not surprised. From crunchy cucumbers to tangy feta cubes, tomatoes, and crispy-fried pita pieces, this is a true recipe for success.

Fattoush Salad

Golden pita, crumbly feta cheese, ripe tomato, crispy cucumber, juicy olives, and toasted chickpeas. Imagine devouring a deliciously filled pita pocket and tasting every ingredient in one single bite. Sounds impossible, right? Actually, there’s a way. With this Middle Eastern fattoush salad, every bite is beautifully balanced and gives you the whole spectrum of fresh flavors, enticing textures, and just the right amount of sauce.

Fattoush Salad

Golden pita, crumbly feta cheese, ripe tomato, crispy cucumber, juicy olives, and toasted chickpeas. Imagine devouring a deliciously filled pita pocket and tasting every ingredient in one single bite. Sounds impossible, right? Actually, there’s a way. With this Middle Eastern fattoush salad, every bite is beautifully balanced and gives you the whole spectrum of fresh flavors, enticing textures, and just the right amount of sauce.

Top Middle Eastern Recipe #4

We present to you, the complete flavor package — perfectly seared steak, oven-roasted veggies, and Shawarma-spiced basmati rice all topped off with a creamy lemon-garlic yogurt sauce and a sprinkle of crunchy almonds. Truly, this is a bowl that has it all.

Middle Eastern Steak Bowls

We know one can never go wrong with steak. But we literally wanted to mix it up a bit and throw in the aromatic flavors of our favorite Middle Eastern recipes. And it worked! Our home cooks can’t get enough of this Shawarma-spiced orchestra that warmly unfolds in your mouth as you enjoy bites of juicy meat, roasted veggies, and flavorful basmati rice. Drizzled with a cooling yogurt sauce that adds a citrusy kick, this dish will forever change the way you think about steak.

Middle Eastern Steak Bowls

We know one can never go wrong with steak. But we literally wanted to mix it up a bit and throw in the aromatic flavors of our favorite Middle Eastern recipes. And it worked! Our home cooks can’t get enough of this Shawarma-spiced orchestra that warmly unfolds in your mouth as you enjoy bites of juicy meat, roasted veggies, and flavorful basmati rice. Drizzled with a cooling yogurt sauce that adds a citrusy kick, this dish will forever change the way you think about steak.

Top Middle Eastern Recipe #5

This North African shakshuka helps you shake up your morning routine in the most delicious way possible. Think of a warming breakfast with yummy eggs simmering in a tomato-y chili-chickpea stew topped off with melted feta and toasted flatbread on the side.

Cozy Chickpea and Egg Breakfast Skillet

No matter what time of day, breakfast is always a good idea. Especially when it warms you from the inside like a hearty bowl of steaming stew. Just like this Maghrebian egg bake. And here’s what makes it so delicious: Instead of poaching your eggs in water, they simmer in a fragrantly spiced sauce of crushed tomatoes. While the added chickpeas give the mix a whole lot of body, the toasted flatbread make this dish super fun to eat (double-dipping encouraged!).

Cozy Chickpea and Egg Breakfast Skillet

No matter what time of day, breakfast is always a good idea. Especially when it warms you from the inside like a hearty bowl of steaming stew. Just like this Maghrebian egg bake. And here’s what makes it so delicious: Instead of poaching your eggs in water, they simmer in a fragrantly spiced sauce of crushed tomatoes. While the added chickpeas give the mix a whole lot of body, the toasted flatbread make this dish super fun to eat (double-dipping encouraged!).

Top Middle Eastern Recipe #6

If you loved our Middle Eastern Steak bowls, here’s another must-try dish that features our signature Shawarma spice blend. But this time, the spotlight belongs to tender chicken strips piled up on flavorful pistachio-rice and vibrant bell pepper.

Street-Cart-Style Chicken Shawarma Bowls

This list wouldn’t be complete without a dish that celebrates the glorious Shawarma chicken, a Middle Eastern staple for many of our happy home cooks. In this recipe, we’re adding a bit of crunch with sautéed bell pepper and roasted pistachios that are mixed into a fluffy bed of basmati rice. A creamy cilantro yogurt sauce levels out the heat of our spicy chicken while a bit of lemon zest and cilantro hit you with that extra freshness.

Street-Cart-Style Chicken Shawarma Bowls

This list wouldn’t be complete without a dish that celebrates the glorious Shawarma chicken, a Middle Eastern staple for many of our happy home cooks. In this recipe, we’re adding a bit of crunch with sautéed bell pepper and roasted pistachios that are mixed into a fluffy bed of basmati rice. A creamy cilantro yogurt sauce levels out the heat of our spicy chicken while a bit of lemon zest and cilantro hit you with that extra freshness.

Top Middle Eastern Recipe #7

Get ready for bowl number three! We promise, you won’t be disappointed. This version is completely veggie-friendly and extremely aromatic. It also makes you see cauliflower in a whole new light.

Persian-Spiced Cauliflower Quinoa Bowl

Forget everything you knew about the modest cauliflower. In this recipe, the mild florets reach full star potential thanks to our deliciously spicy Persian seasoning blend. Roasted with cubes of honey-sweet potato, tossed with tender tri-colored quinoa, and topped off with a zesty avocado crema and crunchy spinach on the side, you’ll be dreaming about this bowl for a while. Honestly, who needs meat if you have cauliflower?

Persian-Spiced Cauliflower Quinoa Bowl

Forget everything you knew about the modest cauliflower. In this recipe, the mild florets reach full star potential thanks to our deliciously spicy Persian seasoning blend. Roasted with cubes of honey-sweet potato, tossed with tender tri-colored quinoa, and topped off with a zesty avocado crema and crunchy spinach on the side, you’ll be dreaming about this bowl for a while. Honestly, who needs meat if you have cauliflower?

Top Middle Eastern Recipe #8

Seems like our home cooks never get tired of that tantalizing Shawarma spice blend. In this delicious recipe, it saves you from spit roasting a pig in your backyard. And that alone is reason enough for a place in the Top 10.

Shawarma Spiced Pork

With tender couscous and peas, this spiced pork keeps it simple but doesn’t fail to wow your taste buds with warm hints of cumin, coriander, and cinnamon gathered in our signature Shawarma spice blend. All you have to do is rub the tenderloin with the magical mix and sear it to golden perfection. Served in thin slices and with a lemony pea-studded couscous, plus the obligatory dollop of garlicky yogurt sauce, you’ll be fixing all your Shawarma-cravings, one delicious bite at a time.

Shawarma Spiced Pork

With tender couscous and peas, this spiced pork keeps it simple but doesn’t fail to wow your taste buds with warm hints of cumin, coriander, and cinnamon gathered in our signature Shawarma spice blend. All you have to do is rub the tenderloin with the magical mix and sear it to golden perfection. Served in thin slices and with a lemony pea-studded couscous, plus the obligatory dollop of garlicky yogurt sauce, you’ll be fixing all your Shawarma-cravings, one delicious bite at a time.

Top Middle Eastern Recipe #9

Ready for another delicious chicken dish that celebrates the very best flavors of the Middle East? Actually, this recipe is so good, you might be tempted to hide the leftovers. Just kidding, there will be no leftovers.

Persian Chicken and Roasted Veggies

We know you’ve loved chicken for a while, but with this recipe, it’ll feel like you’re on a magical honeymoon in the Middle East. And here’s why. The tender cutlets are not just fried in a pan, but also marinated in a smooth garlicky yogurt sauce that boasts the deep flavors of our Shawarma spice blend. Once the chicken is seared to perfection, it’s ready to eat with a bounty of roasted veggies and a scoop of fluffy basmati rice.

Persian Chicken and Roasted Veggies

We know you’ve loved chicken for a while, but with this recipe, it’ll feel like you’re on a magical honeymoon in the Middle East. And here’s why. The tender cutlets are not just fried in a pan, but also marinated in a smooth garlicky yogurt sauce that boasts the deep flavors of our Shawarma spice blend. Once the chicken is seared to perfection, it’s ready to eat with a bounty of roasted veggies and a scoop of fluffy basmati rice.

Top Middle Eastern Recipe #10

Last but not least, here’s another Middle Eastern Steak bowl that’s going to hit all the right spots at all the right times. This version is inspired by no-fuss NYC street carts that serve up the tastiest meals with fresh ingredients in a matter of minutes.

NYC Street Cart Steak Bowls

What’s not to love about a bowl filled with fluffy rice, Shawarma-spiced veggies, strips of juicy meat, and delicious drizzles of garlicky sour cream laced with zesty lemon? Oh, and did we mention the hot sauce? To make things super easy for you, this recipe includes pre-marinated sirloin steaks (think turmeric, paprika, and garlic powder). Just give those guys the perfect sear and pile it on top of your rice and roasted veggies.

NYC Street Cart Steak Bowls

What’s not to love about a bowl filled with fluffy rice, Shawarma-spiced veggies, strips of juicy meat, and delicious drizzles of garlicky sour cream laced with zesty lemon? Oh, and did we mention the hot sauce? To make things super easy for you, this recipe includes pre-marinated sirloin steaks (think turmeric, paprika, and garlic powder). Just give those guys the perfect sear and pile it on top of your rice and roasted veggies.

Get Started with America's #1 Meal Kit

Delicious recipes & ingredients delivered straight to your door
Delicious recipes & ingredients delivered straight to your door

*Applied as discount across 7 boxes, new subscriptions only, and varies by plan. One free dessert item per box with an active subscription.