I’m excited to explore the tasty world of Syrian cuisine!
The bold tastes and fragrant spices are part of what makes Middle Eastern food so amazing.
Syria’s location and history give it unique dishes and regional twists, impacted by empires and neighbors.
Syrian cuisine mixes foods from across the Middle East with a distinct character of its own.
These 17 recipes will take your tastebuds on an exciting new adventure!
1. Kibbeh
This dish is “meat inception.”
It’s meat inside more meat, and very tasty!
Kibbeh is like a croquette with bulgur (a Middle Eastern wheat grain), your choice of ground meat, pine nuts, onion, garlic, and spices.
Form your croquette, deep fry until perfect, and get ready to wow your guests at the next party.
2. Jazmaz- Syrian Shakshuka
Jazmaz makes a great meal any time of day. It’s really so good, that you can enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The spicy egg dish is quick to make, but looks like it belongs in a fancy restaurant.
Jazmaz features soft eggs cooked in spicy tomato and chile sauce. Fresh herbs and olives are sprinkled on top, and warm bread is served alongside.
3. Horaa Osbao
Horaa osbao is a great stew featuring citrusy sumac, earthy lentils, chewy pasta, caramelized onions, and tantalizing pomegranate molasses. Fresh herbs and pita chips round out a wonderfully balanced and delicious dish.
Did I mention that this recipe is vegan? Even meat lovers will enjoy it!
4. Middle Eastern Syrian Salad
This Syrian salad is bursting with freshness and flavor, and also gives you a ton of healthy nutrients.
This beautiful salad is made with romaine lettuce, cucumber, bell pepper, radish, tomato, and red onion. Fresh herbs, grated garlic, and a homemade dressing complete the dish.
5. Syrian Rice
This savory and tasty rice has lots of fantastic texture that you may not expect. Want to know the secret to the great texture? Spaghetti noodles and pine nuts!
Butter and cinnamon bring lots of flavor, and chicken bouillon adds even more. It might sound a little odd, but I promise it’s amazing.
This dish is made in just one pot, freeing you up to spend time with your family!
6. Syrian Fattet Djaj (Layered Chicken Platter)
This Syrian fattet djaj is a tasty introduction to Middle Eastern cuisine if those flavors are intimidating. It boasts some of the best elements of Middle Eastern cooking but has a milder flavor.
7. Tabakh Roho (Syrian Lamb and Vegetable Stew)
While many Syrian dishes are also made throughout the Middle East, Tabakh Roho is uniquely Syrian. This delectable and healthy stew features spiced lamb and tender vegetables.
8. Syrian Hummus
Hummus is earthy, bright, and garlicky, yet so simple and delicious! The recipe features chickpeas, lemon, garlic, tahini, salt, olive oil, and cumin. Puree everything until it reaches your desired consistency, and then season it to taste.
Serve it with fresh vegetables, pita chips, on a salad, or in a wrap. Hummus goes well with everything!
9. Syrian Kawaj
Kawaj is kind of like a casserole that combines flavorful meatballs with tomatoes, onion, potatoes, and pepper. Rice is the ideal accompaniment to this healthy and satisfying dish. This particular version is made in a Crockpot, requiring less effort and cleanup.
The meatballs are the main feature, seasoned with a special Arabic spice blend called baharat that is sweet and savory. You can easily make your own baharat at home with cinnamon, cloves, cumin, nutmeg, coriander, cardamom, paprika, and black pepper.
10. Easy Syrian Turkish Delight
Fancy adult fruit snacks come in the form of Turkish delight! It’s chewy, sweet, and truly addicting.
Notes of orange blossom, lemon, and rose make up this delicious treat that can be topped with dates or pistachios!
11. Mutabal- Traditional Eggplant Dip
Mutabal is the Syrian version of baba ganoush, although they are different. It’s a simpler version with only tahini and roasted eggplant as main ingredients.
The other ingredients are seasonings and aromatics such as garlic and lemon. The tahini and eggplant flavors really stand out in this dip that you can serve with pita bread and vegetables.
12. Jaj Bl Hamed w Tum (Baked Chicken with Lemon and Garlic)
You can create this simple sheet pan meal with very little effort, but everyone will think that you spent all day toiling away. Just don’t tell them your secret!
In this dish, sliced potatoes and onions create a bed for oven-roasted chicken legs.
Just before the end of the cooking time, the chicken legs are slathered in lemon-garlic oil before being returned to the oven. This gives you flavorful veggies, and crispy, succulent chicken.
13. Syrian Baba Ganoush
If you enjoy eggplant, then I bet you’ll enjoy this baba ganoush. A flavorful salad is created by combining walnuts, fire-roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and pomegranate molasses.
You can also add cucumbers, onion, or other vegetables. Serve it as a side dish or appetizer.
14. Muhammara (Syrian Red Pepper Dip)
Syria knows how to create amazing, yet simple foods. A perfect example is this red pepper dip!
The three main ingredients combine for something sublime: rich roasted bell peppers, nutty toasted walnuts, and sweet-sour pomegranate molasses.
15. Halawet El-Jibn
Halawet El-Jibn is a fragrant and light Syrian confection with a chewy, slightly salty dough made with a mild Middle Eastern cheese, or mozzarella. This dough is filled with a milky cream called ashta that is similar to clotted cream.
A sweet syrup is delicately poured on top with flavors of orange blossom and rose water. Crushed pistachios and rose jam are sprinkled on top, making this treat dainty and delicious.
16. Syrian Pita Bread
Pita bread, known for having pockets, is a Middle Eastern food staple because it balances the strong flavors that are found in Syrian cuisine.
Pita has a mild flavor and soft texture, and is best served fresh. Luckily, it’s easy to make yourself.
17. One-Pot Mujadara
This one-pot mujadara is not only easy and delicious, but also extremely healthy! It’s a vegan dish starring bulgur and lentils and full of iron, folate, and fiber. You can throw in some of your favorite vegetables to give it an extra boost of nutrients.
A creamy cucumber-mint yogurt sauce is served alongside. The recipe uses coconut yogurt to make it vegan, but feel free to use any plain yogurt you like.