Skip to content

Top Navigation

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Special Diets
  • Diabetes
  • Healthy Meal Plans
  • Healthy Eating
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Shop
  • News
  • Videos
Log In Account Details

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore EatingWell

EatingWell EatingWell
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 10 Food Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Summer

      10 Food Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Summer

      Here are the popular flavors we think will be big this year, plus recipes to try these trends at home. Read More
    • 22 Vegetarian Lunches You Can Make in 10 Minutes

      22 Vegetarian Lunches You Can Make in 10 Minutes

      When you're short on time, you can still make a quick, healthy lunch that will help you power through the afternoon. Whether you prefer a simple grain bowl with lots of veggies, a slice of loaded avocado toast or a delish salad, there's something for you in this mix. You need just 10 minutes in the kitchen to pull together recipes like our Egg Tartine and Chickpea Salad Sandwich. Read More
    • What Is Taperakia? For These Greek Moms, Sending Meals to Their Kids is an Act of Love

      What Is Taperakia? For These Greek Moms, Sending Meals to Their Kids is an Act of Love

      Learn about the Greek practice of shipping adult children Tupperware containers of food, plus get their recipes to make at home. Read More
  • Healthy Recipes

    Healthy Recipes

    See All Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Healthy Lunch Recipes
    • Healthy Dinner Recipes
    • Healthy Snack Recipes
    • Healthy Dessert Recipes
    • Healthy Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Salad Recipes
    • Healthy Smoothie Recipes
    • Healthy Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Healthy Slow-Cooker & Crockpot Recipes
    • Healthy Kids Recipes
    • Healthy Holiday Recipes
    • Healthy Vegan Recipes
    • Healthy Vegetarian Recipes
    • Healthy Mediterranean Diet Recipes
    • Healthy Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Healthy Low-Calorie Recipes
    • Healthy Weight Loss & Diet Recipes
    • More Lifestyle Diet Recipes
    • More Health Condition Recipes
    • More Dietary Restriction Recipes
    • More Nutrient Focused Recipes
  • Special Diets

    Special Diets

    See All Special Diets
    • Clean Eating Diet Center
    • Mediterranean Diet Center
    • Low-Carb Diet Center
    • Weight Loss Center
    • Dairy-Free Diet Center
    • Gluten-Free Diet Center
    • High-Fiber Diet Center
    • Vegan Diet Center
    • Vegetarian Diet Center
    • Heart-Healthy Diet Center
    • Cholesterol Diet Center
    • Diabetes Diet Center
    • High Blood Pressure Diet Center
    • Low Sodium Diet Center
    • Healthy Aging Diet Center
    • Pregnancy Diet Center
  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    See All Diabetes
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
    • Diabetes Diet Center
  • Healthy Meal Plans

    Healthy Meal Plans

    See All Healthy Meal Plans
    • Meal Planning 101
    • Dinner Plans
    • Clean Eating Meal Plans
    • Mediterranean Diet Meal Plans
    • Low-Carb Meal Plans
    • Weight-Loss Meal Plans
    • Dairy-Free Meal Plans
    • Gluten-Free Meal Plans
    • High-Fiber Meal Plans
    • Vegan Meal Plans
    • Vegetarian Meal Plans
    • Heart-Healthy Meal Plans
    • Low Cholesterol Meal Plans
    • Meal Plans for Diabetes
    • Blood Pressure Meal Plans
    • Low Sodium Meal Plans
    • Anti-Aging Meal Plans
    • Pregnancy Meal Plans
    • Healthy Kids Meal Plans
    • ThePrep
  • Healthy Eating

    Healthy Eating

    See All Healthy Eating
    • Healthy Eating 101
    • Eat More Vegetables
    • 30-Day Challenges
    • Good Food Fast
    • Healthy Eating for Kids
    • Best Healthy Foods
    • Green and Sustainable Eating
    • The Beet
    • Transformed
  • Healthy Lifestyle

    Healthy Lifestyle

    See All Healthy Lifestyle
    • Wine, Beer & Spirits Guide
    • Entertaining
    • EatingWell in Real Life
    • Plant Your Plate
    • Healthy Pets
    • American Food Heroes
    • Future of Food
    • Food with Purpose
    • Obsessed
  • Healthy Cooking

    Healthy Cooking

    See All Healthy Cooking
    • Healthy Cooking How-To's
    • Ask the Test Kitchen
    • Budget Cooking Guide
    • Thrifty
    • Heritage Cooking
  • Shop

    Shop

    See All Shop
    • EatingWell Cookbooks & More
    • EatingWell Frozen Meals
  • News
  • Videos

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Favorites
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Healthy Recipes
  3. Healthy Regional Recipes
  4. Healthy Middle Eastern Recipes
  5. 29 Middle Eastern-Inspired Mezze Recipes

29 Middle Eastern-Inspired Mezze Recipes

Updated March 01, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Pumpkin Kibbeh (Kebbet Laa'tin)

Put together a delicious spread of authentic and Middle Eastern-inspired recipes from the cuisines of Turkey, Lebanon and more. Mezze, also spelled meze, means small plates and are served similar to tapas. We like to pair these flavorful Middle Eastern recipes with shish kebabs, lamb, chicken or fish. Try recipes like Chickpeas with Garlicky Yogurt & Toasted Pita (Fatteh Hommos), Pumpkin Kibbeh (Kebbet Laa'tin) and more.

Start Slideshow

1 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tomato Dolma with Roasted Eggplant (Köz Patlicanli Domates Dolmasi)

5678267.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Dolma are stuffed vegetables common from the Mediterranean all the way to Central Asia. This easy recipe pairs ripe tomatoes with a ground beef filling that's lightened with eggplant and onions. Serve the stuffed tomatoes as a starter or double up for a main dish.

1 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cucumber with Basil, Yogurt, Walnuts & Browned Butter (Yanik Tereyagli Cacik)

5678264.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You may not typically serve your cucumbers bruised, but intentionally smashing them releases their flavorful juices. Taking the time to soak the walnuts for this dish gives them a special soft texture and plumpness. Serve this vegetable dish with pita as part of a mezze platter or as a side salad.

2 of 29

3 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Double-Tahini Hummus

3758947.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

You'll look like an expert with this easy hummus recipe that produces the lightest, silkiest hummus you've ever had. Chilling the cooked chickpeas ensures that when they're blended with the oil and cold tahini the hummus will come out creamy rather than oily. In a pinch, you can use the quick-soak technique (see Step 1), reduce the chilling time and still get great hummus.

3 of 29

Advertisement

4 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chickpeas with Garlicky Yogurt & Toasted Pita (Fatteh Hommos)

5678285.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fatteh means "broken" and signifies a dish of toasted bread pieces mixed with other ingredients. In this easy recipe, the yogurt is also "broken" with tahini, garlic and oil. Enjoy it immediately, before the crispy bread gets soggy from the yogurt.

4 of 29

5 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pumpkin Kibbeh (Kebbet Laa'tin)

5678284.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"Kibbeh" describes dishes made with bulgur, onions and spices. That mixture is combined with everything from tomatoes to goat. It's layered and baked, shaped into balls or footballs, stuffed, deep-fried or eaten raw. This vegetarian kibbeh recipe is made with pumpkin and stuffed with seasoned greens. Sorrel adds a lemony flavor, but you can use chard or kale and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the filling. Use fine bulgur or the texture of the dough will be gritty.

5 of 29

6 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Yogurt with Beets (Borani Chogondar)

5678292.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Borani, a Middle Eastern yogurt dip, can be made with anything from spinach to eggplant to carrots. This recipe gets its shockingly pink color from grated beets. Make it ahead--the longer it sits, the better it tastes.

6 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cucumber & Pomegranate Salad (Salad-e Khiar-o Anar)

5678316.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A platter of herbs, scallions and feta is typically served alongside Persian meals in lieu of a Western-style green salad. They are meant to be folded into flatbread as an accompaniment to a meal (or sometimes as the meal itself). This salad is a riff on that, with pomegranate seeds and cucumbers mixed in.

7 of 29

8 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Olive Oil-Braised Jewish Zucchini Peels (Kashkarikas)

5678271.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A popular Sephardic Jewish dish, cuajado, is made with just the zucchini flesh mixed with fresh cheese and matzo meal. This vegetable side dish recipe was created so the peels wouldn't go to waste. Serve as an appetizer or a side dish. Use any leftover zucchini flesh in stuffings, breads and muffins or just sauté with garlic in olive oil.

8 of 29

9 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Eggplant with Sweet-Sour Onions & Pickled Cherries (Visneli Patlican Bayildi)

5678273.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This layered dish features super-tender roasted eggplant and sweet sautéed onions spiked with tart and fruity pomegranate molasses. Serve with pita as part of a mezze course or as a side with a larger meal.

9 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Potatoes with Green Tahini Sauce

3758946.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The cilantro- and lemon-laced tahini sauce is a perfect bold partner for potatoes in this Middle-Eastern-style potato salad recipe. The green tahini sauce is also great tossed with roasted carrots or broccoli.

10 of 29

11 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lamb with Mint, Orange & Pistachios

3758948.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Serve this garlic- and cumin-flavored ground lamb recipe as a topping for hummus, or double the serving size, add some pita and a side salad and you've got an easy and healthy weeknight dinner.

11 of 29

12 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Roasted Beet Salad

3758945.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Walnuts, red onion and dill make this roasted beet salad recipe a fantastic accompaniment to chicken or topping for hummus. If you can't find beets with greens attached, use 1 pound of beets and 8 ounces of chard leaves.

12 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Marinated Eggplant with Green Chermoula

3758944.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Herbs, lemon, garlic, olive oil and cumin give this healthy eggplant recipe wonderful flavor perfect for pairing with roasted or grilled chicken, lamb or fish.

13 of 29

14 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Matbucha (Slow-Cooked Tomato Sauce)

3758949.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This slow-cooked tomato sauce recipe takes a little time but yields incredible results. Use it as a topping for chicken or salmon, stir it into a soup or stew, or use it as the base for an amazing pasta sauce.

14 of 29

15 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Walnuts

3758943.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Walnuts, tahini, dill and lemon make an irresistible, earthy sauce for roasted cauliflower in this healthy salad recipe. Serve this cauliflower salad with hummus, grilled chicken and pita for a Middle Eastern-inspired healthy dinner.

15 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Baba Ganouj

3756525.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Grilled eggplant is pureed along with garlic, lemon juice and tahini to make a lighter version of the classic Middle Eastern dip. If you can't find ground sumac for the garnish, chopped pistachios are traditional as well. Serve with pita wedges or use as a spread for sandwiches.

16 of 29

17 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chickpea & Bulgur Stuffed Grape Leaves

3757702.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Think hummus meets tabbouleh in these vegetarian stuffed grape leaves, bursting with chickpeas, parsley and bulgur tied together with a lemony, garlicky sauce. The grape leaves will seem soft when just finished cooking, but will firm up as they cool. We prefer these at room temperature or cold--perfect for bringing to work for lunch.

17 of 29

18 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Parsley Tabbouleh

3755881.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Serve this tart, parsley-dominated tabbouleh at your next backyard gathering.

18 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Chickpea Burgers & Tahini Sauce

3755905.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Rather than a heavy, fried falafel, here's a lighter version of the pocket sandwich: a chickpea patty served in a whole-wheat pita with a flavorful and lower-in-fat tahini sauce. Make it a Meal: Serve with a tomato-&-feta salad or Parsley Tabbouleh. Wash it down with an organic Wit Bier from Wolaver's.

19 of 29

20 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tabbouleh with Chickpeas

3758371.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This tabbouleh recipe with chickpeas has lots of parsley, mint, tomatoes and cucumbers. Toasting brings out the flavor in the cumin, and cinnamon adds a subtle depth to the flavors. Bring this tabbouleh recipe as a side to a party or serve as a one-dish supper for 6 instead of 8.

20 of 29

21 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Eggplant Bulgur Pilaf

3757806.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

One of the most important dishes at a Turkish table, this simple pilaf recipe features a combination of eggplant and bulgur. It is often an accompaniment to meat or chicken.

21 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lemon & Oregano Lamb Chops

3757255.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Juicy lamb chops take a trip to the Middle East with a quick herb-and-lemon rub and a tangy cucumber-tahini sauce. Serve with couscous or rice pilaf and a green salad.

22 of 29

23 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Dolmas Wrap

3757190.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This satisfying Middle Eastern wrap is full of dolmas and fresh vegetables. It makes a great take-along lunch if you pack the components separately.

23 of 29

24 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Turkish Lamb & Eggplant Kebabs

3757776.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here we combine baharat, a traditional Arabic spice blend, with olive oil, lemon, garlic and tomato paste to make it into a savory rub to flavor lamb-and-vegetable kebabs.

24 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fattoush

3756524.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Toasting the pita adds crunch to this bright-tasting salad, and a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of ground sumac--the berry of a bush that grows wild all over Lebanon--add depth. Letting the salad sit for a bit before eating allows the pita to soak up the lemony dressing.

25 of 29

26 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bulgur & Lentils

3757820.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Caramelized onions add deep flavor to this fast take on the Middle Eastern dish mjadra, a simple vegetarian recipe featuring bulgur and lentils. Serve with a salad of chopped parsley, tomato and cucumber tossed with a lemon vinaigrette.

26 of 29

27 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lahmahjoon Pizza

3756878.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Spiced ground lamb, feta and pine nuts top this Armenian-flavored pizza. Beer pairing: ?Break out the stout--the rich, sweet flavors from the lamb and pomegranate molasses yearn for an equally rich, sweet beer.

27 of 29

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Lebanese Potato Salad

3756523.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

?Dressed with a tangy lemon vinaigrette and fresh mint, this invigorating--and dairy-free--potato salad makes the perfect summer potluck contribution.

28 of 29

29 of 29

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Turkey Kibbeh

3756160.jpg
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Kibbeh, a seasoned lamb and bulgur mixture, is one of the national dishes of Lebanon. It's often served raw, drizzled with olive oil, with slices of sharp white onion and fresh pita bread alongside, but is also baked or stuffed and deep-fried. This baked version uses lean ground turkey to cut fat and finely shredded zucchini to keep it moist while baking. Make it a meal: serve with toasted pita bread and a salad tossed with a lemon vinaigrette.

29 of 29

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 29 Tomato Dolma with Roasted Eggplant (Köz Patlicanli Domates Dolmasi)
    2 of 29 Cucumber with Basil, Yogurt, Walnuts & Browned Butter (Yanik Tereyagli Cacik)
    3 of 29 Double-Tahini Hummus
    4 of 29 Chickpeas with Garlicky Yogurt & Toasted Pita (Fatteh Hommos)
    5 of 29 Pumpkin Kibbeh (Kebbet Laa'tin)
    6 of 29 Yogurt with Beets (Borani Chogondar)
    7 of 29 Cucumber & Pomegranate Salad (Salad-e Khiar-o Anar)
    8 of 29 Olive Oil-Braised Jewish Zucchini Peels (Kashkarikas)
    9 of 29 Eggplant with Sweet-Sour Onions & Pickled Cherries (Visneli Patlican Bayildi)
    10 of 29 Potatoes with Green Tahini Sauce
    11 of 29 Lamb with Mint, Orange & Pistachios
    12 of 29 Roasted Beet Salad
    13 of 29 Marinated Eggplant with Green Chermoula
    14 of 29 Matbucha (Slow-Cooked Tomato Sauce)
    15 of 29 Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Walnuts
    16 of 29 Baba Ganouj
    17 of 29 Chickpea & Bulgur Stuffed Grape Leaves
    18 of 29 Parsley Tabbouleh
    19 of 29 Chickpea Burgers & Tahini Sauce
    20 of 29 Tabbouleh with Chickpeas
    21 of 29 Eggplant Bulgur Pilaf
    22 of 29 Lemon & Oregano Lamb Chops
    23 of 29 Dolmas Wrap
    24 of 29 Turkish Lamb & Eggplant Kebabs
    25 of 29 Fattoush
    26 of 29 Bulgur & Lentils
    27 of 29 Lahmahjoon Pizza
    28 of 29 Lebanese Potato Salad
    29 of 29 Turkey Kibbeh

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    EatingWell

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Recipe Index
    • Jobs
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Sign Up
    Meredith© 2022 EatingWell.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. EatingWell may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. All Right Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright EatingWell. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.eatingwell.com

    Sign in

    View image

    29 Middle Eastern-Inspired Mezze Recipes
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.