40 Best Mediterranean Recipes

A week spent on the sunny shores of Greece, Italy, Spain, or any other Mediterranean country can be enough to develop an everlasting love of Mediterranean cuisine and its wonderful flavors and aromas.

But if you're stuck in your own kitchen, why not bring a little bit of the Mediterranean into your home?

That's where this list of the 40 best Mediterranean recipes comes in!

From Italian pasta dishes to Greek seafood stews to Moroccan-inspired lamb kabobs, these recipes will make you feel like you're in the most incredible food destinations in the world!

Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern dish of eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce.

It's typically served for breakfast or brunch but can really be enjoyed at any time of day.

This dish is hearty and filling yet still light and healthy.

Plus, it's incredibly easy to make and can be on the table in just 30 minutes.

You need a few ingredients: eggs, canned tomatoes, onions, garlic, cumin powder, salt, and pepper.

Combine them all in a large skillet or pan with some olive oil.

Cover the skillet with a lid and cook over medium-low heat until it becomes a gentle simmer.

Spanish Omelette (Tortilla)

Spanish omelets are a delicious and easy way to get your fix of onions, eggs, potatoes, and cheese all in one meal.

The olive oil adds richness to the dish, while the vegetables add flavor and nutrients.

Dice the onion into small pieces and grate the potatoes (or peel them if you're not up for peeling).

Add both ingredients to a bowl with egg, salt, potatoes, and ginger before whisking until thoroughly combined.

Mediterranean Salmon Bowl

This recipe is healthy, flavorful, and easy to make.

It's perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a leisurely weekend brunch.

The salmon is cooked in a lemon-dill sauce and served over a bed of fresh cabbage, hummus, garlic, and feta cheese.

Topped with lemon juice, olive oil, and onions.

This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

5-Minute Mediterranean Bowl

The 5-Minute Mediterranean Bowl is the perfect meal for busy weeknights. It's healthy, flavorful, and comes together in a snap.

Plus, it's easily customizable to your liking.

To make this bowl, simply combine Cherry tomatoes, Cucumber, Spring onions, Olives, Tzatziki, canned Chickpeas, and Parsley.

Dress it with a simple olive oil and Hummus, and you're good to go!

It takes about 10 minutes from start to finish and will keep in the fridge for a few days.

You can make extras because it tastes even better as leftovers.

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

This salad is healthy, flavorful, and filling--the perfect dish to bring to a potluck or picnic.

It's also incredibly easy to make. Simply cook the couscous according to package directions, then mix in chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, vinegar, Garbanzo beans, and Red onions.

If you're feeling fancy, you can also add in some grilled chicken or shrimp.

You only require 30 minutes for preparation and cooking, so it's quick enough for weekday dinners.

The couscous will soak up all of the flavors from the other ingredients and have a satisfyingly chewy texture.

Ham and Swiss Quiche

This Ham and Swiss Quiche are so easy to make and always turn out perfectly!

The crust is made from scratch, but you could easily use a store-bought crust to save time.

The filling is a mixture of eggs, ham, Swiss cheese, and seasonings.

You can top with a little extra cheese and some chopped green onions, ground black pepper, and whole grain.

This quiche is best served warm, but it's also good cold.

Gambas al Ajillo

This dish of shrimp in garlic sauce is a Spanish classic because it's insanely delicious.

The shrimp are cooked in garlic-infused olive oil, which infuses them with flavor. They're then served with more garlic and fresh parsley.

This dish is best served with French bread to soak up all the deliciousness. It can also be used as an appetizer or main course.

When serving as an appetizer, keep portions small since the garlic can overpower other flavors if eaten too much.

Lamb Tagine with Prunes, Almonds, and Apricots

This lamb tagine is a flavorful, Moroccan-inspired dish that is perfect for a winter meal.

The lamb is cooked until it is fall-apart tender, and the sauce is packed with dried fruits, nuts, and spices.

Serve this tagine over couscous or rice for a complete meal.

You can also enjoy leftovers for lunch, served on top of fresh greens tossed in vinaigrette.

Greek Chicken Wrap

These Greek chicken wraps are loaded with all of your favorite Mediterranean flavors.

Chicken is cooked in a lemon-herb sauce and wrapped in warm pita bread with creamy tzatziki sauce, Grape or cherry tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and Kalamata olives.

Finish it off with feta cheese for an extra layer of creaminess.

Serve these wraps for lunch or dinner, or pair them with a side salad for a delicious light meal.

Mediterranean Chicken Skillet

This chicken skillet dish is a one-pan wonder that will bring you back for more.

Chicken breasts are cooked with artichokes, Parsley, roasted peppers, frozen Brown rice, and Cherry tomatoes to create a tasty dish reminiscent of Greece.

This is comfort food at its finest, which is topped with crumbled Feta cheese and served with crusty Italian bread.

Tuna Salad Sandwiches

This tuna salad sandwich recipe features tuna steaks rubbed with garlicky olive oil and seared to perfection.

Slice the steaks into thin pieces and mix them together with chopped onion, celery, lemon juice, Mayonnaise, and plenty of Pepper.

Pile high on crusty Italian bread slices for an easy sandwich everyone will love!

It's just a 15 minutes recipe but still packs so much flavor.

Sweet Potato Falafel Burgers

These sweet potato falafel burgers are not only deliciously crispy on the outside but also soft and moist on the inside.

Sweet potatoes mixed with aromatic spices, garlic, and Onion make for a flavorful burger patty, then topped with crunchy cabbage slaw before being tucked into sesame seed buns.

These burgers would be a great vegetarian option for a summer BBQ and would also work well as a healthy weekday dinner.

They're low in fat and calories but high in fiber and protein.

Shrimp and Calamari In Tomato Sauce

These are classic Mediterranean dishes with a twist.

You may find the dish to be a little spicy, but it balances out nicely with the sweetness of the tomato sauce.

For a milder version, simply reduce the amount of tomatoes in the sauce.

Serve this dish with a hefty dose of fresh bread to soak up all that yummy sauce.

Or, if you prefer a lighter meal, serve with a side salad and some crusty bread.

Either way, this dish is sure to satisfy.

Healthy Chickpea, Chicken, and Feta Salad Recipe

The Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, and grains.

Dairy products are consumed in moderation, and meat is used sparingly.

The chicken is packed with proteins, vegetables, and flavors to make a perfect on-the-go meal for anyone looking to eat a little healthier.

Use leftover chicken, toss it with the ingredients in the recipe, and voila, you've got yourself a gourmet meal that won't take up all of your time.

Healthy Shredded Chicken Bowls

This healthy recipe is gluten-free, light on calories, and a wholesome meal that can be prepared in no time.

Assemble these shredded chicken bowls with Garlic clove, vegetables, Almond butter, Jalapeno, Tomato Cucumber, Cumin, and a homemade dressing of lime juice and honey for a satisfying dish you will come back to again and again.

It's a 25 minutes recipe, but it's worth every minute.

The best part is that you can use the leftovers for a healthy sandwich or salad.

Olive Tapenade

This dish is perfect for a party because it can be made ahead of time and served at room temperature or cold.

Made with black and green olives, garlic, capers, stone ground mustard, dried basil, olive oil, and dried thyme, this tasty tapenade has just the right balance of flavors to accompany any cheese plate or serve as an appetizer on its own.

Spread some on crostini, top a pizza, toss it in pasta sauce, and add to tuna salad; the options are endless!

Spanikopita

Spanikopita is a flaky phyllo dough pie filled with spinach, feta cheese, and Greek spices.

This Spanikopita recipe combines all my favorite things about Greek cuisine: feta cheese, fresh herbs (dill or parsley), olive oil, spinach or greens, and lemony seasonings like oregano and mint.

The best part about it is that it's easy to make.

Tzatziki

This gluten-free cucumber dip tastes delicious when mixed with Greek yogurt and tossed with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese.

Serve tzatziki as a dip or side dish to complement grilled meats such as lamb kebabs. It also goes well with falafel, gyros, and other Middle Eastern favorites.

For an extra zing, mix a few tablespoons of chopped fresh dill into the mixture before serving.

Caponata

This traditional Sicilian appetizer or side dish is made with eggplant, roasted peppers, Golden raisins, celery, raisins, Zucchini, garlic, onions, vinegar, and olive oil.

As with most Italian dishes (and all traditional Sicilian recipes), you'll find lots of variations when it comes to caponata.

Try adding artichoke hearts and olives to create your own recipe.

Ensure your vegetables are cut into small pieces, so they're easy to eat.

Parmesan Pesto Chicken Wraps

These chicken wraps are easy to make and so flavorful!

The pesto is made with fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil, making the chicken and veggies sing.

These would be great for a quick lunch or light dinner.

They can also be eaten as appetizers (cut them in half).

They're perfect for when you need something fast that tastes amazing.

Try these if you love Italian food as I do!

Moutabal

Moutabal is a staple of Mediterranean cuisine.

This simple dish can be served as an appetizer or side dish.

To make moutabal, you will need Aubergines, lemon juice, Garlic clove, fresh Parsley, Tahini paste, Extra virgin olive oil, Salt, and Black pepper.

Mince the garlic finely in a food processor and add the tahini paste.

Add the parsley leaves, half of the olive oil, and salt to taste.

Pour this mixture into an oven-proof dish lined with the whole aubergine slices (do not pierce them), then cover with cling film and cook for about 30 minutes until soft.

Mediterranean Fish with Tapenade

Fish is an essential part of a balanced diet.

This tapenade fish recipe is easy to make and low in carbs, making it a tremendous keto-friendly option.

You will need Poached White Fish, Lime juice, Garlic clove, Tapenade, Olive Paste, Cherry tomatoes, sprigs Oregano, sprigs Thyme, and sprigs Rosemary.

To prepare poached fish fillets, combine milk with vinegar or lemon juice and dill weed in a pot and bring to boil.

Chicken Provençal

Chicken Provençal is a classic French dish and is often served with rice.

The chicken in Chicken Provençal is seasoned with herbs like dates, Thyme, Garlic, and Cherry tomatoes which gives it a subtle flavor.

For an authentic French taste, serve your chicken Provençal recipe with white wine.

Portuguese Mussels

These mussels are cooked in a flavorful tomato and garlic broth, making them the perfect appetizer or main course.

Portuguese Mussels are best served with a crusty baguette for sopping up all the delicious broth.

You will need fresh mussels, butter, olive oil, tomatoes (chopped), cloves of garlic (minced), salt to taste, and ground black pepper.

Soutzukakia

These meatballs are made with a combination of ground beef and pork, combined with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

They're delicious on their own or served over rice with some veggies.

Ground beef, lean ground pork, onions, cinnamon stick (crushed or powder), nutmeg, cloves, garlic cloves chopped finely, salt to taste, and ground black pepper.

Mediterranean Zucchini Boats

These stuffed zucchini boats are a delicious way to eat your veggies.

They're packed with ground beef, feta cheese, and spinach, but they also have plenty of other good stuff like onions, garlic, and tomatoes.

The cooking method (baking in a tomato sauce) makes them taste even better.

Moroccan Chicken

Chicken is a staple in Moroccan cuisine, and this recipe does not disappoint.

The chicken is marinated in a blend of spices, including cumin, paprika, and ginger, then grilled to perfection.

Serve with rice and vegetables for a complete meal.

Psari Plaki

A classic Greek recipe that has been a staple of traditional cuisine for centuries.

Thinly sliced fish is seasoned with lemon, herbs, and garlic, then topped with breadcrumbs and baked until crisp.

Serve with salad for a complete meal.

Pesto Bruschetta Chicken

This recipe is a fun and easy twist on the classic Italian dish.

Pesto Bruschetta Chicken is a flavorful and healthy meal that the whole family will love.

To make this dish, simply combine chicken breasts, pesto, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese.

Grill or bake the chicken until cooked through, then top with fresh basil leaves.

Serve with a side of grilled vegetables or a simple salad for a complete meal.

Grilled Branzino

This grilled fish recipe from Yotam Ottolenghi is an excellent choice for dinner.

It can be prepared quickly and easily, which makes it perfect for weeknight dinners.

The fish has an incredible flavor and texture due to being marinated in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, parsley, thyme, and oregano before cooking.

Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers

These stuffed peppers are delicious and healthy.

They're ideal for meal prep and make a hearty lunch or dinner on their own.

The ingredients include bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, garlic, feta cheese, white beans, and more.

The flavor is incredible due to combining all of these ingredients in one dish.

Doner Kebabs

These Turkish-style kebabs are traditionally made with lamb, but you can also use chicken.

The meat is marinated in a mixture of spices, then skewered and grilled.

Doner kebabs are often served on pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and yogurt sauce.

Other sauces to try include tzatziki (yogurt mixed with cucumber, garlic, dill, lemon juice, and olive oil) or tahini (a sesame seed paste).

To add extra protein to your meal, serve the doner kebabs over rice or pasta.

Spicy shrimp and quinoa

This spicy shrimp dish is easy to make and packed with flavor.

It's finished off with some chopped cilantro for that authentic touch.

It would be perfect as an appetizer at your next party!

This salad would be perfect for lunch or dinner if you're looking for something lighter.

You can serve this dish with a side of steamed vegetables or brown rice for an even more filling meal.

Pipirrana

A traditional Spanish dish, pipirrana is a refreshing salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, onions, and garlic.

It's perfect for a summer day!

Enjoy it as an appetizer or light lunch.

I like to serve it in lettuce cups or atop some fresh tortilla chips.

Serve alongside any meat, fish, or poultry dish for a flavorful addition.

You can also add olives if you'd like the flavor of tapenade without the work of making it yourself.

Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh is a traditional Levantine dish with bulgur, onions, mints, tomatoes, garlic, cucumbers, and finely chopped parsley.

It is typically seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.

This dish is often served as a mezze or appetizer.

Some variations include adding minced meat, such as ground beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey; dried fruits like raisins; and fresh vegetables like green beans.

Tabbouleh can also be served with grilled meats and fish.

Batata Harra

This dish is popular throughout much of West Asia and North Africa.

Several variations include a kind made with green beans instead of chickpeas.

This recipe features fresh tomatoes and cooked potatoes in a rich, spicy tomato sauce.

A local Moroccan spice blend, harissa, gives it its signature flavor.

Harissa is a type of chili pepper paste or spread that contains tomatoes and other seasonings, typically including garlic and coriander; it may also include caraway seeds and olive oil.

Mediterranean Ground Beef and Rice

This dish is packed with flavor and nutrients, making it the perfect meal to fuel your body and mind.

The ground beef is seasoned with a blend of spices, then sautéed with onions and garlic.

The rice is cooked in chicken broth for added flavor, then mixed with beef and vegetables.

Serve this dish topped with a dollop of plain yogurt or tzatziki sauce.

Hummus

This classic Middle Eastern dip is super easy to make.

The base of hummus is chickpeas, which are first soaked overnight, then cooked in a pressure cooker.

The other ingredients you'll need include tahini (sesame seed paste), garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice.

Top with paprika for a fun color pop!

Cherry Tomato Gratin

This dish is healthy and flavorful and can be made in under an hour.

It's the perfect meal to make when you're short on time but still want something nutritious.

Plus, it's a great way to use up any extra cherry tomatoes you may have lying around.

Grilled Vegetable Pita

This recipe is great for vegetarians and vegans, as it has a meaty flavor that everyone will enjoy.

Packed with fresh flavors, you can use as many veggies as you like to make an awesome meal.

Try some zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, or eggplant if you're looking for some new ideas.

Serve this dish over brown rice or quinoa for a complete protein-filled meal!

Final Word

These recipes are healthy, flavorful, and easy to make.

They'll satisfy your cravings for something delicious while also giving you the nutrients your body needs.

So go ahead and give them a try! You won't be disappointed.