21 Authentic Mediterranean Food Recipes

Some of these are our own recipes, but many of them have been given to us by friends and colleagues who live in the Mediterranean, or have spent considerable time living and eating there. Even though these recipes are from different Mediterranean countries, they all have one thing in common, they all use extra virgin olive oil. Most of the vegetable and bean dishes included are dripping in liquid gold.

This is one of the reasons why they taste so good. Another thing in common is that these recipes aren’t difficult to make. Many of them are one-pot meals which makes them great for feeding your whole family. You can create an entire Mediterranean feast using a few recipes from this list.

You can have a lot of variety because some recipes use quite a bit more spices than the others, like the tagine recipe for example. There is also recipes for everyone in here because there are vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, and anti-inflammatory options.

The first recipe you see below is a traditional Greek salad recipe, because what’s more authentic in Mediterranean cuisine than that? I hope you enjoy the rest of the recipes and share them with your friends and family! Kali Orexi! (Bon Appetit in Greek)

Authentic Greek Salad (Horiátiki Salata)

In 2014, I visited Greece for the first time. I had waited my entire life to eat real Greek food seeing that I’m half Greek. I was also hoping to collect some authentic Mediterranean Diet recipes. So when I arrived in Athens, I set up a study tour throughout the country.

After I got to my hotel, the study group was waiting for me to go to dinner together. I put my luggage in my room and we walked through the busy streets to a traditional Greek taverna. The waiter brought us bread with extra virgin olive oil to dip. The oil was so good. Then he brought the greek salad.

This was a moment I will never forget. I took one bite of a red, juicy tomato slice and I thought to myself “What have I been eating my whole life?!” This was the sweetest, most flavorful, deep red, and beefy tomato I had ever sunk my teeth into.

Recipe Here!

Armenian Losh Kebab (Lamb and Beef Burgers)

The losh kebab is a large burger made with fifty percent lamb, fifty percent beef. It is mixed with amazing herbs, spices, and chopped white onion. It’s an absolute flavor bomb. There is lots of fresh parsley and onion chopped up and mixed into the beef and lamb burgers.

I also notice a slight tomatoey flavor which is from the tomato paste. For spices, the main note I taste is cumin, which is so delicious in grilled meat recipes. The losh kebab is cooked to your liking. I personally like mine a little pink in the middle because it stays juicy that way. If you like it cooked well done that obviously works great too.

Recipe Here!

Black Eyed Peas with Fresh Dill, Olive Oil and Orange Slices

Black eyed peas with Fresh Dill, Olive Oil and Orange Slices is one of my all-time favorite Mediterranean Diet recipes. How can you go wrong with fresh dill, fresh parsley, green onions, orange slices, and 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil.

As you prepare this amazing dish, I would highly recommend resisting the urge to cut back on the olive oil. As you simmer the ingredients, the oil cooks into the beans and herbs and what is left thickens to make a flavorful gravy. This is a traditional vegan dish from the island of Crete and works great with a vegan salad.

Recipe Here!