There’s something so impressive about a table full of mezze; small, flavor-packed dishes that bring people together to share, dip, and savor. Whether you’re hosting a Mediterranean-inspired dinner or simply love grazing boards with flair, these 17 Mezze Recipes will turn your spread into a true feast.
What is Mezze?
Mezze (also spelled meze) refers to a collection of small dishes served as appetizers or a light meal, commonly found in Levantine cuisine (from Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria), Eastern Mediterranean, and Balkan cuisines (Greek Cuisine).
It’s more than just a style of eating, it’s a social experience. Mezze is about slowing down, sharing food, and creating conversation. Think of it as a curated table of contrasting textures and bold flavors: smooth dips, crunchy pastries, tangy salads, grilled meats, and marinated vegetables.
Mezze can be vegetarian, meat-based, or a mix. There are no hard rules, just vibrant, communal eating.
Why you’ll love this
Perfect for entertaining; everyone can mix, match, and nibble.
Bursting with fresh herbs, tangy citrus, and bold spices.
Includes both traditional and creative modern twists.
Many are vegetarian or vegan-friendly.
Easy to prep ahead for stress-free hosting.
Dips
No mezze platter is complete without a trio (or more!) of irresistible dips. From creamy classics to bold, spicy blends, these dips are made for scooping, spreading, and savoring. Serve them with warm pita and watch them disappear fast.
A Middle Eastern staple, this delicious, unctuous and smoky eggplant dip is a must-try. Serve it with pita with vegetables. A perfect summer appetizer when eggplants are in season.
This Tzatziki Recipe is my take on the classic dip. It comes together in under 10 minutes! Serve alongside other dips and condiments as part of a mezze or sharing platter. Or serve with one of my many meat-based recipes like pulled lamb and chicken skewers.
Muhammara is a classic Levantine roasted red pepper and walnut dip that balances sweet, savory, salty and spicy flavors. It’s also incredibly easy to make in just 2 steps! Best of all, this gorgeous dip comes together in under 10 minutes!
A step-by-step guide on how to make labneh, the strained whole-milk yogurt spread popular in the Middle East and beyond. This recipe is both easy and truly authentic. Serve your labneh with blistered tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, good olive oil and za’atar. The possibilities are endless.
Labneh balls, or fresh shanklish, are a Levantine staple, very popular in Middle Eastern cuisine. This yogurt-based cheese is made by straining Greek yogurt until thickened, then rolling into balls and coating with herbs and spices. They're delicious as a snack or part of a meze!
I love Tzatziki, and I love Feta Cheese… And so we have their love child: Feta Yogurt Cucumber Dip. Creamy, tangy, and loaded with fresh herbs, this is exactly what summer snacking dreams are made of.
Fresh, zesty, and packed with herbs, mezze salads are all about contrast: crisp veggies, tangy dressings, and pops of spice. They’re the perfect palate-refreshers and balance out the richer dishes on your table.
5 from 5 votes
Authentic Lebanese Fattoush Salad
Fresh, refreshing and delicious, this authentic Lebanese Fattoush salad recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with its tangy dressing. Enjoy it as a side dish, an appetizer, or on its own. Best of all, it can be prepared in under 30 minutes!
Whether you spell it tabbouleh or tabouli, this Lebanese tabbouleh is a refreshing, herby salad. Made with a base of fresh parsley, mint, and bulgur, it's also more filling than many salad recipes.
This Palestinian Cucumber Tomato Salad, also known as Jerusalem Salad is a delicious and simple chopped salad that comes together in under 20 minutes! It's a perfect side for heavy and rich mains.
These baked bites bring texture and comfort to your mezze table. I’ve included a few plain flatbread recipes as well as dressed flatbreads known as Manakish.
4.60 from 5 votes
Lebanese Pita Bread (Traditional Khubz)
Making your own Lebanese Pita Bread is not as difficult as you may think! This recipe includes 3 different methods to make this quintessential Levantine flatbread.
Homemade Greek Pita Bread is incredibly easy to make and so rewarding. The whole process can be done in under 90 minutes. This recipe uses standard pantry staples. Enjoy with your favorite dips or make your own wraps.
Palestinian Taboon flatbread is a Levantine yeasted bread that is traditionally prepared in clay ovens or on hot stones. This recipe adapts the technique and makes it easy for home cooks to enjoy the flavors and traditions without having to build an outdoor oven.
A flatbread by many names! Manakish (also spelled Manakeesh) is a Levantine flatbread topped with a mixture of za’atar and good quality olive oil and then baked in the oven. A Middle Eastern cuisine staple, it is fragrant and incredibly delicious.
For those who love a little smoky, savory flavor, these meat-based mezze bring boldness to the mix. Think juicy koftas, meat pastries, and skewers that are hearty, satisfying, and full of character.
No ratings yet
Greek Meatballs Recipe (Easy Keftedes with Sides)
If you’re craving bold Mediterranean flavors and an easy dish that works for weeknights or entertaining, you’re going to love this Greek Meatballs (Keftedes) recipe. These juicy, tender meatballs are packed with herbs, garlic, and a hint of spice. This recipe comes together in under 40 minutes!
A favorite side dish or appetizer in the Levant, beef sambousek or samboosa is a spiced meat-filled pastry that's fried for maximum flavor and the best texture. While this recipe needs a little time to make, more for the pastry, it's well worth it!
Arayes is a popular Middle Eastern dish that consists of stuffed and grilled (or baked) pita bread filled with a mixture of minced meat, typically beef or lamb, along with various seasonings and spices. This incredibly easy-to-prepare recipe includes 2 cooking methods to suit your preferences, as well as a dipping sauce.
