Top 25 Mediterranean Recipes of 2019

Ready to give your meals a bold and bright Mediterranean twist? This roundup of top Mediterranean recipes will give you all the inspiration you need! Wholesome recipes with big Mediterranean flavors from Greece and Italy, to Morocco, the Middle East and more! From main dishes, to Mediterranean salads, sides…etc.

This selection includes the top 25 recipes of 2019 as voted by readers of The Mediterranean Dish! And if you’re looking for a complete selection of Mediterranean diet recipes, we have the best and largest selection of Mediterranean diet recipes here.

You may have stumbled here because you’ve heard about the Mediterranean diet and its many health benefits. Or, maybe, you’re looking to work in a few more bright and flavorful Mediterranean-inspired meals into your weekly meal plan. Either way, you’ve come to the right place!

Below are the top 25 recipes of 2019 as voted by YOU, lovely readers of The Mediterranean Dish. These are the most visited, cooked, tried-n-true Mediterranean recipes on the blog…and you can find hundreds more Mediterranean diet recipes here.

What does eating the Mediterranean way (or the Mediterranean Diet) Look Like? 

I should point out that this post is not necessarily about the Mediterranean diet; we’ve talked in more detail about the Mediterranean diet here.

But, quite a few of the recipes in this roundup do follow this amazing way of eating.

And the good news is, you can easily cook colorful Mediterranean recipes you can feel good about, and the list of recipes below is a great start!

That said, if you’re wondering what eating the Mediterranean way (or the Mediterranean diet)  look like, here is my super quick-n-dirty summary:

• Use quality Extra virgin olive oil regularly. I use these two: Greek Early Harvest extra virgin olive oil and Greek Private Reserve extra virgin olive oil
• Eat MORE: fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, nuts, and legumes.
• Eat MODERATELY: Lean proteins from fish and some poultry.
• Eat LESS: Red Meats and Sweets (sweets are often eliminated if you’re following a stricter Mediterranean diet.)
• For Flavor: Reduce salt and use more fresh herbs, garlic, citrus, and spices.

This shopping list should help you grab what you need to start cooking the Mediterranean way. And be sure to join our FREE e-mail list to receive weekly dinner plans and more.

And now, let’s get to our top Mediterranean recipes of 2019 as decided by lovely readers and followers of this blog! For your convenience, I’ve divided the list of recipes into two sections: Mediterranean dinner recipes and entrees (main dishes), and Mediterranean salads, sides and sauces. Here we go…

Top Mediterranean Recipes of 2019

To see each recipe, simply click on the photo or the recipe name in red above each image 

Top Mediterranean Dinner Recipes & Entrees 

1. Greek-Style Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic

There is a reason this baked cod recipe has been the #1 most cooked and enjoyed recipe on the blog for some time! A handful of Mediterranean spices, plus a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic, give it glorious flavors! Comes together in just over 20 mins.

2. Chicken Shawarma 

This easy baked chicken shawrama will transport you to the streets of the Middle East! Loads of flavor. The secret is in the simple homemade shawarma spice mixture. Recipe comes with a step-by-step tutorial and video show you exactly how to make this delicious chicken.

3. Moroccan Vegetable Tagine

A simple homemade vegetable stew loaded with warm Moroccan flavors. Vegan and gluten free!

4. Easy Seafood Paella

A modern and easy version of seafood paella with shrimp and lobster. You’ll love this rice dish. And no special paella pan needed! Step-by-step tutorial and video included with the recipe.

5. Spanakopita 

Savory Greek pie made of perfectly flaky phyllo dough with a warm spinach and feta cheese filling. It’s easier to make than most people think. Check out the recipe and tutorial.

6. Chicken Souvlaki

The secret to homemade chicken souvlaki is in the marinade! It’s so simple to make, but the perfect balance of flavors.

7. Briam

If you’re looking for a vegan main or a hearty side, Greek briam will not dissapoint. A cousin to ratatouille, it’s a combination of beautiful veggies, flavored simply and baked to tender perfection.

8. Grilled Kofta Kebabs

Skewers of ground beef and lamb mixed with fresh parsley, onions, garlic and warm Middle Eastern spices!

9.  Avgolemono Soup

Silky, rich, fragrant chicken lemon soup, prepared Greek-style. If you’ve had it at your local Greek restaurant, you know how comforting this chicken rice soup is. And this homemade version is super easy to prepare.

10. Italian Baked Chicken 

Boneless skinless chicken breasts prepared with a simple spice mixture, garlic and extra virgin olive oil, and finished with fresh parsley and basil!

11. Moroccan Lamb Stew

Comforting, fall-apart tender braised lamb with loads of veggies, chickpeas and warm Moroccan flavors. You can also make this in your crock pot or pressure cooker; instructions included for both!

12. Falafel

If you’ve ever wanted to try homemade falafel from scratch, my tutorial is all you need! Hearty and  healthy vegan patties made of ground chickpeas, garlic, and fresh herbs. An authentic falafel recipe just as they serve on the streets of the Middle East. And I show you how to fix the BEST falafel sandwiches.

13. Shakshuka

Turn a few eggs into the perfect meal with this simple shakshuka recipe! Eggs poached in a perfectly-spiced vegetarian stew of tomatoes and green peppers.  Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner.

14. Greek Chicken Gyros

Sandwich night has never tasted better! Yogurt-marinated chicken tenders, packed with flavor from warm spices, and loaded into a pita wrap with homemade tzatziki sauce and all the fixings you love!

15.  Greek Baked Meatballs with Tomato Sauce

Flavor-packed meatballs with loads of aromatics, fresh parsley, and a special blend of spices including ground cumin, baked in a special red sauce

Top Mediterranean Sides, Salads, and Sauces 

16. Italian Roasted Vegetables

Beautiful veggies roasted to tender perfection, and bold with Italian flavors from fresh garlic, oregano, thyme and extra virgin olive oil!

17. Greek Lemon Rice

You’ll love this bright, flavor-packed Greek lemon rice made with onions, garlic, fresh lemon juice and herbs!

18. Mediterranean 3-Bean Salad

This three bean salad is so bright and packs tons of flavor from fresh herbs, capers, and a zesty garlic Dijon vinaigrette.

19. Tabouli

If there is ever a classic Mediterranean salad, it is hands-down tabouli (or tabbouleh). Made of  finely chopped vegetables, lots of fresh parsley and bulgur wheat, then tossed with lime juice and extra virgin olive oil. For me, I like adding cucumbers to my tabouli for extra crunch!

20. Mediterranean Watermelon Salad

An easy, fresh and super light Mediterranean watermelon salad with cucumbers, creamy feta, loads of  fresh herbs, and a zesty honey-lime dressing!

21. Greek Salad

Exactly as served on the Greek islands and villages with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, and creamy feta cheese. The perfect finish is a good splash of quality Greek extra virgin olive oil and a little red wine vinegar.

22. Lazy 3-Ingredient Mediterranean Salad

This lazy salad is on repeat often at my house. Three simple ingredients–cucumbers, tomatoes, and parsley–dressed with a little bit of sumac, citrus and extra virgin olive oil. So good!

23. Homemade Hummus from Scratch

If you want to make the BEST authentic creamy hummus, definitely check out this recipe/tutorial. It’s my go-to!

24. Greek Tzatziki Sauce

Greek yogurt sauce with cucumbers and fresh garlic. This is a versatile sauce that is the perfect accompaniment to many Mediterranean dishes. I love it with souvlaki or even salmon kabobs.

25. Tahini Sauce

This rich, flavor-packed vegan sauce made of sesame tahini paste, lime juice and a little garlic. This is popular sauce can elevate any meal from kabobs to falafel sandwiches and everything in between.

I can’t wait to hear which of these recipes you’ll try first! Let me know in the comments below.

*This post originally appeared in 2018 and has been recently updated with 2019 information for readers’ benefit. Enjoy!

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