Falafel, fresh salads, and feta make for the perfect summer feast! 🥙
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Dreaming of clear blue seas and tzatziki? Maybe a little falafel and pita with a side of hummus? Even if you can’t make it to the Mediterranean this summer, there are so many recipes you can make that'll transport you there in one bite! The best Mediterranean recipes are rooted in the ancient cultures of the countries lining the Mediterranean and Ionian seas, like Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Inspired by the freshly grown ingredients of the region, like olives, chickpeas, basil, and oregano, these Mediterranean recipes are both balanced and bright! Think green and grain-based summer salads with tons of fresh herbs and veggies, pasta salads, tender, marinated meats, and, of course, lots of tangy feta.
The key ingredient of many of these recipes is fruity, bitter olive oil, so make sure you have a quality version of the cooking staple on hand! No Mediterranean feast can commence without delicious summer dips paired with pita, like creamy whipped feta and red pepper hummus. And of course, you can't end the flavorful feast without our twist on the classic Middle Eastern dessert: baklava bites! No matter which of these Mediterranean recipes you choose to make for your next summer feast, they're sure to transport you straight to the seaside—no planes, trains, or boats required!
1
Tabbouleh
This mezze platter staple salad made of finely chopped parsley, green onions, tomato, and bulgur gets an upgrade by adding crunchy cucumber and aromatic garlic to the mix! It's fragrant, fresh, and fantastic alongside dips and pita!
Get the Tabbouleh recipe.
2
Air Fryer Falafel
Enjoy falafel just how you like it—crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside—but without the big pot of oil! Thanks to the air fryer, the falafel gets perfectly crisped up and ready to be served with pita, sliced tomatoes, and plenty of tangy tahini yogurt sauce.
Get the Air Fryer Falafel recipe.
3
Greek Pasta Salad
Summer's favorite potluck pairing gets a Greek update with fresh veggies, briny olives, fragrant herbs, and creamy feta! Toss it all together with a simple lemon dressing, and you have the perfect picnic side.
Get the Greek Pasta Salad recipe.
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4
Feta Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
If you're of the understanding that feta makes everything better, you'll love these beef meatballs filled with the tangy cheese! They're the perfect protein pairing to the fresh zucchini noodles coated in lemon.
Get Ree's Feta Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles recipe.
5
Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers
Take your next cookout up a notch by trading out your average beef burgers for these zesty spinach and feta chicken burgers! The moist patties make a great companion to creamy tzatziki, spinach, tomato, pepperoncini, and cooked red onion.
Get Ree's Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers recipe.
6
Watermelon-Feta Orzo Salad
This sweet and salty salad is a new and delicious way to enjoy juicy watermelon this summer! The hydrating fruit gets tossed together with crunchy arugula, tangy feta, and al dente orzo.
Get Ree's Watermelon-Feta Orzo Salad recipe.
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7
Creamy Whipped Feta Dip
Smooth, creamy feta dip and toasted pita wedges will be your new easy party staple this summer! Serve the dip with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of fresh mint for a fragrant finishing touch.
Get the Creamy Whipped Feta Dip recipe.
8
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
The best summer salads are those that have a little bit of everything—and this colorful side is just that! It's chock full of orzo, cherry tomatoes, red onion, garbanzo beans, kalamata olives, feta cheese, parsley, and diced cucumber.
Get Ree's Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe.
9
Greek Lemon Potatoes
There's nothing a tender potato wedge can't fix—especially when it's infused with lots of zippy lemon and fresh herbs! It's the perfect potato side for your favorite spring and summer dishes.
Get Ree's Greek Lemon Potatoes recipe.
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10
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
The classic creamy chickpea dip gets a sweet kick thanks to the addition of roasted red peppers in this recipe. They also add to the beautiful red-orange hue of the hummus!
Get the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus recipe.
11
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Bring in pasta salad season with this bright Mediterranean one featuring giardiniera, crispy chickpeas, and a Spanish-style romesco dressing. The lumache pasta, a short, ribbed type, is perfect for grabbing onto all of the delicious dressing and flavors.
Get Ree's Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe.
12
Beef Kebab Marinade
You can't have a Mediterranean feast without kebabs! These beef kebabs are delightfully tender and coated in a delicious marinade made of balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire, honey, and dijon mustard.
Get the Beef Kebab Marinade recipe.
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13
Couscous Salad
This grain-based salad is an easy and yummy way to taste the rainbow! It's so colorful, thanks to cherry tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, toasted walnuts, and fresh dill.
Get the Couscous Salad recipe.
14
Tzatziki
No mezze spread is complete without a brimming bowl of creamy tzatziki! The yogurt cucumber dip tastes great with so many different foods, including pita, veggie sticks, and even burgers!
Get the Tzatziki recipe.
15
Moussaka
This Greek version of lasagna features layers of golden roasted eggplant and potatoes, aromatic meat sauce, and creamy bechamel topping. The hearty dish is the perfect Sunday supper centerpiece, but we won't blame you for wanting to eat it every night of the week!
Get the Moussaka recipe.
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16
Greek Salad
You're more likely than not familiar with this classic crunchy salad, but either way, it deserves a spot on this list! It's packed with lots of crisp lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, feta, and red onion.
Get the Greek Salad recipe.
17
Baklava Bites
This bite-sized twist on the typical Mediterranean sweet makes for a perfectly poppable dessert! They're sweet, crunchy, and satisfyingly sticky thanks to the buttery pistachio and walnut mixture stuffed into frozen phyllo cups and drizzled with honey syrup.
Get the Baklava Bites recipe.
18
Greek-Style Turkey Burgers
Forget buns and bread: pita pockets are where it's at! The Mediterranean pouch makes the perfect home for turkey patties, red onion, lettuce, cucumber, feta, and lots of tzatziki sauce.
Get Ree's Greek-Style Turkey Burgers recipe.
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19
Mediterranean Orzo with Shrimp
Transport yourself to the seaside with this shrimp-loaded orzo dish! It's so easy to make and vibrant, with lots of Mediterranean flavors like olives, chickpeas, feta, oregano, and fresh basil.
Get Ree's Mediterranean Orzo with Shrimp recipe.
20
Lemon Chicken-Orzo Soup
This Greek version of chicken noodle soup is light and zesty, thanks to lots of lemon zest and juice. The tender orzo, chicken, veggies, and fresh dill add even more fresh flavor to the comforting dish.
Get Ree's Lemon Chicken-Orzo Soup recipe.
