16 Middle Eastern Recipes
You need to try this month
Hi there! Happy Wednesday and happy February ❤️
I'm a little sad that Veganuary is over—it was such a fun month where we shared many recipes and met so many new people. Plus, it's always a busy month on the blog, with everyone looking for vegan recipes.
To kick off February with some excitement, I've decided to dedicate each month to a different cuisine. This month, I'm diving into Middle Eastern cuisine, sharing everything from recipes and meal plans to ingredients and cookbooks. I hope you're as excited as I am about all the upcoming content! I still haven't picked the theme for next month, so let's fully enjoy this first month of global cuisine and explore the wonders of a region known for its vibrant and fresh flavors.
To start off, check out our 16 favorite Middle Eastern recipes. Most of these are our own creations, with a few fantastic ones from other bloggers I love. And stay tuned—there are more recipes coming your way soon! As always, I would love for you to participate by sharing your favorite Middle Eastern recipe 😊.
I hope you enjoy this list and try some of these recipes during this month of February. Let me know if you have any questions; I’m always happy to help!
16 Middle Eastern Vegan Recipes
1. Arabic Lentil Soup
To start this list of delicious Middle Eastern recipes that are 100% plant-based, I wanted to include our most visited Middle Easter recipe, this hearty one-pot Arabic Lentil Soup. A cozy meal made with red lentils, fresh vegetables, and Arabic spices.
2. Maghmour
Maghmour, also known as Lebanese Moussaka, is a naturally vegan recipe from Lebanon. Featuring eggplant and tomatoes, this summery recipe can be served warm or chilled, and is a light and easy lunch that the whole family will love.
3. Lebanese Rice
If you are looking for the a tasty and easy side dish to serve with your Middle Eastern and Arabic recipes, this Lebanese rice is one of our favorite choices. Lebanese Rice cooked with Vermicelli noodles delivers fantastic flavors with minimal ingredients.
4. Vegan Shakshuka
Our Vegan Shakshuka (Shakshouka) is a vegan version of the original Tunisian recipe. This rich one-pan recipe featuring tomatoes, peppers, and spinach is easy to prepare and makes for a perfect addition to your brunch.
5. Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad
This Chickpea Salad is a refreshing summer salad that combines fresh ingredients, garbanzo beans, and Middle Eastern spices such as Za'atar and Sumac.
6. Eggplant with Tahini Sauce
Another recipe where eggplant is the start of the dish. These eggplants served with Tahini sauce are cooked to perfection and seasoned with Za'ata and olive oil. Served with a creamy sauce, fresh mint, and pine nuts, this combination of flavors and textures is hard to beat.
7. Falafel Pita Sandwich
Homemade Falafel served with Pita bread, fresh vegetables, and a delicious creamy sauce is the perfect lunch for a busy weekday. Prepare the falafel ahead, and simply assemble the sandwich before lunch! We love serving our falafel sandwich with pickled onion and black olives.
8. Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Dressing
This Middle-Eastern style Salad featured roasted cauliflower seasoned with za'atar, cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika, fresh leaves, avocado, pomegranate, and roasted chickpeas. The combination of ingredients makes for the perfect lunch for a busy weekday.
9. Creamy Tahini Pasta
Is creamy tahini pasta a traditional Middle Eastern recipe? Probably not, but it brings the flavors to your table with simple ingredients and cooking method.
10. Spicy Harissa Pasta
Another Pasta dish that brings Middle Eastern flavors to your table with minimal ingredients and time. This Harissa pasta is absolutely delicious, if you enjoy spicy food of course. Served with crushed pistachios and sun-dried tomato, this is all you need for a fiery lunch!
11. Baba Ganoush
Baba Ganoush is a dip from Lebanon made with smoked-roasted eggplants, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice. The simplicity and the flavors from this naturally vegan spread make it the perfect addition to your table.
12. Beetroot Falafels
Beetroot Falafels are naturally vegan and gluten-free and this meal is an amazing way to use fresh beetroots. They will come out with a lovely pink color, which makes the whole meal much nicer!
13. Moroccan Vegetable Tagine
Eating a Moroccan Vegetable Tagine is such a wonderful way to celebrate Moroccan flavors. Steamed vegetables slowly cooked in a spiced broth served with a simple but mouth-watering tahini sauce will warm up your body in the most delicious way.
14. Muhammara Recipe
This Muhammara Recipe is loaded with fresh ingredients and nuts. Smoky, creamy, and so so delicious. Serve this delicious Red Pepper Walnut Dip at your next party as an alternative to the same old salsa and hummus!
Get the recipe by Fox and Briar
15. Quinoa Tabbouleh
Another Middle Eastern Salad that will stay on your menu forever once you try it! Quinoa Tabbouleh is a lot more than just a salad. Traditionally made with bulgur wheat, we have replaced the wheat with Quinoa, a superfood, making this recipe even more impressive.
Get the recipe by Chef Ani
16. Creamy Arabic Hummus
This Middle Eastern Vegan recipes list wouldn't be complete without a creamy and smooth hummus. I chose this beautiful Arabic Hummus made with simple ingredients, and with the perfectly smooth and creamy texture we all want when dipping our crudités in hummus.
Get the recipe by Simple And Fraiche
Those beetroot falafel sound (and look) amazing!
I think the hummus is a solid recipe, but I’ve never cooked already-cooked chickpeas! And Hummus Brothers, the UK restaurant, recommends removing the skins, too, but I always feel life’s too short! And use ice over ‘ice water’!