11 Mediterranean Recipes to Make on Repeat

Our all-time favorite dishes from Spain to Greece to North Africa.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

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Published March 10, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
Easy Greek Salad in a Wooden Bowl With a Set of Serving Utensils, and in the Surroundings, a Glass of Iced Lemon Water, a Bowl of Herbs, and a White and Blue Striped Kitchen Towel

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

The cuisines from the areas around the Mediterranean sea are some of the most popular and beloved in the world. If you had to just pick one favorite, it would be incredibly difficult to do, especially since there's such a wide variety of ingredients and techniques used to create these dishes.

Here, we've picked our favorite and most iconic dishes from around the Mediterranean, hailing from the likes of Turkey, Greece, Morocco and Spain.

  • Tabbouleh

    Tan bowl with tabbouleh and a spoon.
    Lori Rice

    This take on the classic Middle Eastern salad centers on bulgur wheat, fresh herbs, tomatoes and other fresh ingredients. It's a hearty dish, and great for lunches and leftovers.

  • Mercimek Çorbası

    Bowls of Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Lentil Soup) Topped with Greek Yogurt, Croutons, Pul Bibir Butter, and Parsley, and Next to It, a Small Bowl of Parsley and Lemon Wedges

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    Mercimek Çorbası is a rich, warming lentil soup recipe hailing from Turkey. We've included a few tips for ingredient substitutions if you can't find the ones traditionally used.

  • Moroccan Chicken with Lemon and Olives

    Moroccan Chicken ready to serve out of a tagine
    Elise Bauer

    We highly recommend making this delicious braised chicken dish in a traditional Moroccan tagine, but if you don't have one, don't fret—just use a large, shallow, thick-bottomed skillet with a lid.

  • Greek Salad

    Easy Greek Salad in a Wooden Bowl, and in the Surroundings, Two Glasses of Iced Lemon Water, a Salad Serving Utensils, a Bowl of Herbs, and a White and Blue Striped Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    Simply Recipes founder Elise Bauer says, "This Greek salad is a favorite of my father's to make during the summer."

    Continue to 5 of 11 below

  • Hummus

    Best homemade hummus
    Elise Bauer

    Quit buying store-bought hummus and make it yourself! With a few cans of chickpeas and a blender, it's easy to make at home.

  • Menemen

    Menemen (Turkish Scrambled Eggs and Tomatoes) in a Pot with a Spoon, Surrounded by Some Slices of Bread and a Plate

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    This spiced Turkish egg dish is traditionally served at breakfast, but the versatile combination of savory flavors gives it the flexibility to make a fantastic lunch or dinner.

  • Paella

    Finished seafood paella from the grill in a skillet ready to serve
    Sally Vargas

    Infused with saffron and laden with mixed seafood and meats, Valencian paella is a special dish that's great for sharing. All you need with it is some wine, sliced bread and all your friends and family!

  • Spanakopita

    Slice of Greek Spinach Pie on a white plate, with a fork, a glass of white wine, and the casserole dish in the background,
    Sally Vargas

    To make this easy vegetarian Greek pie, spinach, feta, ricotta, and fresh herbs are encased in layers of flaky, buttery phyllo. It's often folded into triangles, but here it's made into a quick and simple casserole.

    Continue to 9 of 11 below

  • Moussaka

    A piece of eggplant moussaka on a plate with a glass of wine and a salad behind it.
    Alison Bickel

    This is the Greek version of the layered dish found all over the Mediterranean. It takes time to put together, but the outcome is so worth it!

  • Sabich

    Sabich Sandwiches on a Wooden Plank

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

    Author Micah Siva grew up eating sabich, a stuffed flatbread sandwich made with fried eggplant, boiled eggs, tahini sauce, hummus, and a tangy Israeli salad. Her recipe includes plenty of great tips for making it at home.

  • Avgolemono

    Avgolemono Soup
    Elise Bauer

    This classic Greek chicken and lemon soup is enriched with silky eggs. Our recipe gives you the foolproof methods you need to make it perfectly in your own home.

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