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.
This selection includes the top 25 recipes as voted by readers of The Mediterranean Dish! Also be sure to see our collection of top Mediterranean Diet Recipes.
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 this year as voted by YOU, lovely readers of The Mediterranean Dish. These are the most visited, cooked, tried-n-true Mediterranean recipes on the blog currently. You can also see our top Mediterranean diet recipes and hundreds more 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. You should review this post: what is the Mediterranean diet and how to follow it for more infomration. But, the majority of the recipes in this roundup do follow the Mediterranean 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! So if you're wondering what eating the Mediterranean way (or the Mediterranean diet) looks like, here is my super quick-n-dirty summary...
What to eat on the Mediterranean diet
- 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 this year 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 to Try in 2021
To see each recipe, simply click on the recipe name in red above each image
Top Mediterranean Dinner Recipes & Entrees
Perfectly tender, flaky baked salmon with a homemade lemon and garlic sauce. This recipe takes very little prep and less than 20 minutes to cook.
This simple vegan eggplant stew with chickpeas and tomatoes is all the comfort. And you'll love the Greek flavors thanks to a little extra virgin olive oil and a combination of warm spices including oregano, paprika, and a pinch of cinnamon.
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.
Easy Baked Fish with Garlic and Basil
The secret to this juicy fish is in the quick fish marinade with a few spices, garlic, fresh basil, a little citrus and extra virgin olive oil. A few tips make all the difference, so be sure to read on
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.
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 dinner. Green Shakshuka is another version you may like to try.
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.
The secret to these juicy, flavor-packed baked chicken drumsticks is in the marinade! Loaded with Mediterranean flavors including lemon, garlic, oregano, and extra virgin olive oil. This easy chicken dinner is perfect for any night of the week. Add a side of tangy tzatziki sauce, Greek salad, or roasted veggies.
20 minutes or less is all it takes to make this bright garlic shrimp pasta recipe! Prepared Mediterranean-style and tossed in a light sauce with garlic, onions, white wine, and lemon juice.
A simple homemade vegetable stew loaded with warm Moroccan flavors. Vegan and gluten free!
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.
The secret to homemade chicken souvlaki is in the marinade! It's so simple to make, but the perfect balance of flavors.
The secret to the best pasta dinner! This sauce takes just few staple ingredients you may already have on hand! Perfectly thick and packed with flavor, you'll be ditching that store bought pasta sauce.
Halibut and veggies, tossed in a bright Mediterranean sauce with lots of citrus, olive oil, fresh garlic and spices, then baked for 15 minutes or so. Dinner is served!
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.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts prepared with a simple spice mixture, garlic and extra virgin olive oil, and finished with fresh parsley and basil!
Top Mediterranean Sides, Salads, and Sauces
Easy pasta, tossed in extra virgin olive oil and Mediterranean favorites like tomatoes, feta, olives, artichoke hearts and fresh herbs.
Beautiful veggies roasted to tender perfection, and bold with Italian flavors from fresh garlic, oregano, thyme and extra virgin olive oil!
You’ll love this bright, flavor-packed Greek lemon rice made with onions, garlic, fresh lemon juice and herbs!
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!
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!
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.
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!
If you want to make the BEST authentic creamy hummus, definitely check out this recipe/tutorial. It's my go-to!
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.
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.
And if you're wondering about the top dessert for the year, it was non other than baklava!
*This post is updated every year to reflect readers' choices and top Mediterranean recipes for the year.
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I was recommended to a Mediterranean diet lifestyle from my nutritionist. I came across these recipes and found you. I'm just beginning the recipes for my family and super excited to try a healthier way of eating. Thank you!
Many well wishes on your journey to better health, Tina! We're so glad to have you here!
Love your recipes. They are healthy and simple. Many thanks
My pleasure, Ying. Glad you're enjoying them!
Is this dish mideterrean dish good for person with liver cirrosis?
Hi, Red. I'm not sure. You doctor could probably advise you better on this one. I don't have a medical background.
Hi, I started for this recipes almost a month ago. Telling the truth not for dieting but for the flavors and colors in the meals. I’m so happy I have variety of meals for the family as well as weight loss. Many thanks to you Suzy!
Many more blessings to you too!
Thank you, Vivian! Same to you!
Thank you.
Dear Suzy,
Just love love love your blog. Your recipes and tips have NEVER failed. Infact they are the most amazing recipes. Thank you so so much.
Wanted to request you to post a great recipe for SAGANAKI and the cheese that should be used, along with the recipe of a fig preserve ( made of dried figs). Also would love options that we can use to serve the Saganaki cheese wait.
Thank you so much.
Best , Shefali
Thank you for the suggestion, Shefali! I'll take a look into it!
My husband and I just started the Med Diet. Thank you for these wonderful recipes! So far we have had the Baked Cherry Tomato & Feta and the Shakshuka. No leftovers...gone immediately and so delicious!!!
We are planning on staying on this for 30 days. If it was up to me it would be forever!
I'm glad you're enjoying the recipes you find here, Jody!
Suzy, I've cooked many of your recipes. Your recipes are by far my favorites. One of my favs is the Red Lentil Soup. I can't eat enough. Also, I love your spices and olive oil. The Mediterranean Diet is wonderful and delicious. Thank you Suzy. I'm always looking forward to your recipes. BTW, I've downloaded many of your recipes and have a special folder labeled, you guessed it, Mediterranean.
Oh, thank you so much for the sweet words, Darlene!!
I’m so excited about finding your website. I’m looking for flavorful healthy dishes for my family to enjoy. I really want my kids to develop a love of eating healthy. This site provides so many options that my family has enjoyed during this pandemic. Thanks so much for sharing!
My pleasure, Candance! I can't wait to hear what you try!!
I think you sent a recipe for baked feta with olives, spices and sun dried tomatoes; however, I did not save it but it sounded so good. Can you resend the recipe?
Hello! Have feta recipes. One is baked (https://www.themediterraneandish.com/baked-feta-recipe/). The other is served cold (https://www.themediterraneandish.com/last-minute-mediterranean-feta-cheese-dip/). Both are delicious!
Discovered your site this year. Love your recipes!
Thanks, Debbie!
I am new to cooking this delicious type of food.
I do however find some of the sauces for dishes scant thus making the dish seem a little dry.
How or what can I add to give the recipes a bit more sauce or moisture.
The 2 recipes I have tried were:
Meatless Lasagna with feta cheese
Fettuccine with sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese.
I hope you can guide me in the right direction.
Tammy Pineau
heartofmidwest@yahoo.com
Hi, Tammy! Since those aren't my recipes, it's a little a hard to say, but sometimes simply doubling the sauce helps.
This site has been a quarantine Godsend. I especially appreciate so many of the vegetarian recipes. I'm definitely an "amateur" cook, and while quarantining with my older parents, these recipes have helped to show that there are so many healthy and tasty options that don't involve meat (and then several that they can try that do have some healthy meats). We have tried several and they aren't too difficult and they are all incredibly delicious. We have done hummus, Briam, Shakshuka, Loaded Baked Potatoes, and tzatziki to name a few. I appreciate these. Thank you very much.
Hi, Bartley! I'm so happy to hear you've found so many helpful recipes for you and your parents here! Thank you for sharing your experience!
New home duties have me cvooking for my wife, daughter, and mother in law once a week. I've never cooked in my life. I camne across your website and have been trying them. Not only are they easy but really good. My family thinks I'm a chef extraordinair. Thanks a ton Suzzy
That's great, Keith!!