If you’ve fallen in love with the idea of Mediterranean recipes for dinner, we’ve got ideas to make some of the world’s best Mediterranean recipes easy for you to try.
The Mediterranean diet has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it all started when researchers started noticing that people who live in the area of the Mediterranean Sea seem to live longer. When they examined the diets of elderly people in the area, they discovered some excellent eating habits.
Whether you’re following the Mediterranean diet, just trying to eat healthy food such as Mediterranean cuisine, or want to try various Mediterranean dishes for some variety in your daily meals, there is a Mediterranean recipe for you on this excellent list of Mediterranean meal ideas.
The Mediterranean region has been long admired for its vibrant landscape and cultural richness. One of the most compelling aspects of this region is the mouth-watering range of culinary delights that originate from a variety of countries situated along the Mediterranean coastline. Delving into Mediterranean recipes is anticipated to be a fascinating journey for those eager to discover new flavors and traditions, as well as those who appreciate healthier ways of eating.
These time-honored recipes embrace the essence of Mediterranean cuisine – simple techniques magnifying the flavors of fresh, seasonal ingredients. Staples such as olive oil, fresh herbs, legumes, whole grains, and an assortment of fruits and vegetables dominate these dishes. At the same time, the judicious use of poultry, fish, and dairy ensures a well-rounded diet, maintaining the delicate balance between indulgence and well-being.
Moreover, the social aspect of Mediterranean dining promotes a sense of community and togetherness. Meals are mostly shared among family and friends, making the dining experience an occasion to unwind and connect. By exploring these Mediterranean recipes, one can not only enjoy a diverse range of culinary delights but also adopt a lifestyle that promotes heart health, longevity, and a closer connection to loved ones.
The best Mediterranean food is full of wonderful healthy ingredients, such as salmon, chicken, feta cheese, and olives.
Best of all, Mediterranean dinner recipes can be quite affordable. Are you ready to explore all of the ideas that make easy Mediterranean recipes? Let’s go!
When you find yourself craving a quick piece of toast but you’re trying to ease off of carbs and need healthy recipes, why not make this yummy sweet potato toast instead of bread?
All you have to do is slice a delicious sweet potato and bake it.
Avocado makes such a creamy dip, but there is so much more you can do with this green vegetable with good fat than just making guacamole.
This avocado dip with citrus flavor is made with green onion, cilantro, fresh lime juice, fresh lemon juice, fresh orange juice, shallot, a dab of honey for sweetness, sea salt, and black pepper.
No list of Mediteranian food or Mediterranean recipes would be complete without a classic tzatziki recipe.
Classic tzatziki is made with grated cucumber, Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs that include chopped mint and fresh dill.
If you love Mediterranean food recipes that include flaky phyllo dough and spinach, you’ve probably already enjoyed spanakopita at one point.
These bite-sized appetizers are made with phyllo dough (or puff pastry), spinach, feta cheese, eggs, oregano, garlic, onion, and extra virgin olive oil.
This Italian-style baked fish recipe calls for flaky fish such as cod or haddock. Other ingredients are Italian red wine vinegar and fresh cherry tomatoes.
Use fresh bread crumbs for the topping and you’ve got a nice crunch.
The vegan and vegetarian options in Mediterranean recipes are amazing.
Use pearl barley to make this soup, and other ingredients include any type of mushrooms (we love shiitake in this soup), celery, onions, carrots, bay leaves, and crushed garlic.
Fritatta is great for an elegant brunch veggie entree, and we love this one that’s loaded with foods popular in Mediterranean cuisine.
For this Mediterranean recipe, you need eggs, kosher salt (or sea salt), milk or water, sliced mushrooms, asparagus spears, chopped scallions (green onion), and goat cheese.
If you love avocado toast, you’re going to adore hummus toast.
This recipe for hummus toast gives you eight different recipe ideas for a super healthy breakfast, brunch, lunch, or snack.
Ingredients can include a fried egg, sliced olive, roasted red pepper, feta cheese, lox, capers, smoked salmon, tomato slices, roasted corn, cilantro, red onion, avocado, and more.
One of the most beloved and well-known Mediterranean recipes is a simple Greek salad.
A colorful veggie Greek salad is full of delicious fresh veggies, including minced garlic, Roma tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, different colors of bell pepper, Kalamata olive slices (or black olive slices), feta cheese crumbles, and avocado.
Do you have some pine nuts and golden raisins in your pantry? If so, we’ve got a delicious fish stew recipe that will help you use these fun ingredients.
Other ingredients in this fish stew are capers, clam juice, dry white wine, and orange zest.
Most of us buy hummus at the grocery store, but you can also make a delicious version of creamy hummus in your own kitchen.
For this hummus recipe, you need cooked chickpeas, fresh lemon juice, tahini, garlic (or garlic powder), extra virgin olive oil, cumin, sea salt, and sumac (or smoked paprika).
Foul mudammas is a classic Middle Eastern dish that hails from Egypt.
Ingredients in this traditional Egyptian recipe are canned chickpeas, fava beans, garlic, salt, cumin, fresh lemon juice, tomato, onion, olive oil, black pepper, and parsley.
Chicken souvlaki is made with tender chicken breasts, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and garlic.
Traditionally, chicken souvlaki is served with cucumber slices and tzatziki sauce that’s made with Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, and red wine vinegar.
When you want a low carb side dish of veggies to serve with your Mediterranean recipes, you can rely on these Italian roasted vegetables that you cook in your oven.
For this recipe, you need mushrooms, red onion, bell pepper, yellow squash, zucchini, Italian seasoning, and olive oil.
Mediterranean recipes are big on fish, and this swordfish recipe gives you an opportunity to try something completely new and unique.
Marinate your swordfish in a marinade that’s made with fresh lime juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, black pepper, sea salt, basil, and a dash of cayenne pepper.
We have a delicious Moroccan recipe for you. This vegetarian stew from Morocco is made with just veggies, so it can also be vegan, depending on what you serve with it.
For a vegetarian dish, serve this delicious savory stew with Greek yogurt.
Are you looking for delicious vegetarian Mediterranean recipes? This white bean salad is for you.
To make this delicious salad recipe, you need canned cannellini beans, chopped cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped Kalamata olives, olive oil, oregano, red wine vinegar, and crumbled feta cheese.
In the Arabic language, shakshuka means “all mixed up” and we’re here for that mentality.
For traditional shakshuka, you need extra virgin olive oil, onion, bell pepper, sea salt, garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes, crushed tomatoes, cilantro, black pepper, crumbled feta cheese, and eggs.
Feta cheese can be found in lots of Mediterranean recipes, and we love how creamy and delicious it is.
For this jumbo shrimp recipe, you need shallots, plenty of garlic cloves, canned tomatoes, cumin, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, fresh mint, and a dash of crushed red pepper flakes.
This simple green juice recipe is loaded with essential nutrients because it’s made with kale, fresh lemon juice, fresh ginger, cucumber slices, celery stalks, and Granny Smith apples.
To make a classic Italian baked chicken, we recommend using a young fryer chicken, but you can use any type of chicken, including chicken breasts or chicken leg quarters.
The secret to the perfect Italian chicken is to dry the chicken very well after rinsing it off.
Most people love a steaming bowl of creamy tomato basil soup, but when you roast the tomatoes for this classic soup, you get a burst of sun dried tomato flavor.
Other ingredients in this tomato soup are garlic, onion, thyme, olive oil, vegetable stock, and fresh lemon juice.
It may seem unusual to see watermelon in a salad, but when paired with other cool foods such as fresh mint leaves and cucumbers, you have one cool salad!
Other ingredients in this salad are feta cheese crumbles, fresh lime juice, and olive oil.
This Mediterranean salad made with cucumbers and tomatoes will be at home with any meal, even summer BBQ.
To make this classic Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad, you need chopped tomatoes, chopped cucumbers, a hot red pepper, chopped green onion (scallions), fresh lemon juice, cilantro, and sea salt.
Do you want more Mediterranean diet recipe ideas? Check out this video below that has 12 bonus Mediterranean diet recipe options you can make if you love Middle Eastern cuisine and foods from around the Mediterranean Sea area. Who knew the Mediterranean diet could be so delicious?
Our 60+ BEST Mediterranean Recipes (+Loaded Chickpea Mediterranean Salad)
These options are sure to be a hit. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
