10 Plant-Based Middle Eastern Recipes

Middle Eastern food is so flavorful and delicious. Although many of the foods contain various animal products, there are so many vegan versions of Middle Eastern dishes. If you’re looking to shake things up in your kitchen and try some new foods, check out these delicious vegan Middle Eastern recipes. They are so delicious!

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help you get healthy!

1. Sweet and Smokey Stewed Eggplant and Cilantro-Lemon Fava Beans

Source: Sweet and Smokey Stewed Eggplant and Cilantro-Lemon Fava Beans

A simple eggplant stew using tomatoes and spices, paired with cilantro lemon fava beans, and served with a little flatbread seasoned up with some olive oil and za’atar spice. What a delicious and healthy meal it is! This is a great recipe for just yourself or hosting guests. They will love the fragrant spices and delicious mix of flavors in this Sweet and Smokey Stewed Eggplant and Cilantro-Lemon Fava Beans by Deena Mehta!

2. Healthy Falafel

Source: Healthy Falafel

This Healthy Falafel by Katia Martin is packed full of nutrition and is super yummy. Top it with the tahini sauce, and you’re in falafel heaven! These ones are deep-fried, but they taste just as amazing when you bake them!

3. Buckwheat and Avocado Tabbouleh

Source: Buckwheat and Avocado Tabbouleh

This Buckwheat and Avocado Tabbouleh by Rita Marie is tabbouleh taken to the next level. Traditional tabbouleh has bulgur, tomatoes, onions, tons of parsley, mint, and a little bit of lettuce if you feel so inclined to get your greens in. This recipe kind of branches off by adding avocados, cucumber, chia, and flax, and substitutes buckwheat for bulgur. This recipe is reminiscent to tabbouleh only in the sense that it has all the delicious flavors of the original with even more healthy greens.

4. Blanched Chard Dolmas

Source: Blanched Chard Dolmas

These Blanched Chard Dolmas by Molly Patrick such a simple yet filling meal to put together. You can meal prep it or just make it the night of – either way, equally yummy!

5. Fattoush Salad Bowl

Source: Fattoush Salad Bowl

This Fattoush Salad Bowl by America’s Test Kitchen comes together easily and are full of flavor and get a fresh crunch from the romaine!

6. Roasted Garlic Hummus

Source: Roasted Garlic Hummus

This Roasted Garlic Hummus by Robin Browne has all the creamy and hearty feels you want in a bowl of hummus. It makes a huge portion so it should for sure last the week for you. Get swept up in the roasted garlic flavor as it is pure deliciousness when combined with the chickpeas.

7. Rainbow Tofu Kebabs

Source: Rainbow Tofu Kebabs

Kebabs aren’t just for outdoor summer barbecues; they’re an anytime meal-on-a-stick you can make in the oven, rain or shine! Serve these Rainbow Tofu Kebabs by Toni Okamoto and Michelle Cehn atop a bed of fluffy rice, but you might slide the tofu and veggies off the skewer and serve them on a salad or stuffed in a pita.

8. Tofu Shawarma

Source: Tofu Shawarma

This vegan Tofu Shawarma by Melissa Tedesco has all of the Middle Eastern flavors of a classic shawarma and even looks pretty similar. Just simply swap out the meat for tofu.

9. Baba Ghanoush Dip

Source: Baba Ghanoush Dip

In addition to having a delicious smoky flavor, this Baba Ghanoush Dip by Roxane Brien is a healthy snack option! It’s low fat, low calorie as well as being high in nutrients. Plus, this roasted eggplant and bell pepper dip is a good source of vitamin C, calcium, potassium and iron. If you need a little boost of energy in the middle of the afternoon, try this vegan snack idea!

10. Middle Eastern Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions

Source: Middle Eastern Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions

This traditional Lebanese dish, also known as Mujadara, is made with lentils, rice and crispy golden onions. It’s easy to make and full of flavor and nutrition. You have to try this recipe for Middle Eastern Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions by Rouxbe!

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

Original Article by, Shelby Hettler, OneGreenPlanet