The Ultimate Middle Eastern Meze Platter

Mezze recipes hold a significant spot in Middle Eastern & Mediterranean Cuisine. They're small plates meant for sharing, much like tapas or appetizers, and happen to be one of my favorite ways to dine.

Take a look at my selection of 10 popular mezze and dip recipes you can prepare for your upcoming Middle Eastern-themed dinner party!

Hummus

Hummus Dip is a Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern spread made with chickpeas and tahini, then seasoned with lemon, garlic, and cumin. 

This extremely creamy, smooth & fresh dip comes together in just 25 minutes!

To learn more: Mediterranean Hummus Dip

Saksuka - Turkish Vegetable Meze

Saksuka (Turkish Vegetable Meze) is a very much loved vegetarian/vegan dish made of shallow-fried vegetables and a simple tomato sauce. 

The star ingredient for this traditional Turkish dish is the aubergines/eggplants and the rest of the vegetables added to the dish vary from region to region.

To learn more: Saksuka (Turkish Vegetable Meze)

Muhammara - Red Pepper Dip

Muhammara, also known as Acuka in Turkish, is a delicious Middle Eastern dip made with red pepper paste, garlic, walnuts, spices, and olive oil.

It is extremely easy to prepare and is ready in 15 minutes with minimal cleaning up!

To learn more: Muhammara - Red Pepper Dip

Turkish Fried Liver - Arnavut Cigeri

Arnavut Cigeri (or Albanian Liver) is a Turkish Liver dish consisting of a pan-fried lamb or veal liver cubes seasoned with chili flakes and served with sumac, onion, and parsley salad. 

This simple recipe is extremely easy to prepare and tastes great.

To learn more: Arnavut Cigeri - Turkish Liver

Mutabal - Roasted Eggplant Dip

Mutabal, also known as Moutabal or Moutabel, is a popular Middle Eastern dip made from roasted eggplant, yogurt, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. 

This creamy and flavorful dip is a staple in many households and restaurants across the region. 

It is extremely easy to make with a few basic ingredients, and tastes even better after a day or two!

To learn more: Moutabal (Roasted Eggplant Dip)

Cerkez Tavugu - Circassian Chicken

Çerkez Tavuğu (Circassian Chicken) is a delicious mezze/appetizer made of shredded poached chicken mixed with a creamy walnut sauce. 

This recipe is a great way to use up leftover roast chicken or stale bread pieces.

Ready in 30 minutes, this unique chicken dish is perfect for quick weekday meals or big family gatherings.

To learn more: Cerkez Tavugu - Circassian Chicken

Haydari - Turkish Yogurt Dip

Haydari is a delicious Turkish Yoghurt Dip made with feta cheese, thick strained yogurt, fresh herbs, and chopped walnuts. 

This tangy dip is one of the most popular mezes in Turkey and also is widely served in Turkish restaurants with kebabs and Pita Bread along with Ezme Salad (Acili Ezme).

To learn more: Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Dip)

Pacanga Boregi

Turkish Cuisine has many delicious Borek recipes and Paçanga Böreği is one of the nation's favorites. 

These delicious fried pastry rolls are made of yufka sheets filled with Kasar cheese, pastirma, tomatoes, and peppers.

To learn more: Pacanga Boregi

Labneh - Yogurt Cheese

Labneh is a tangy, smooth, and creamy cheese made by straining the whey out of yogurt until it reaches a rich and luxurious cream cheese consistency. 

Crafting this delightful dip is a breeze, requiring just two simple ingredients and a mere 5 minutes of hands-on time.

To learn more: Homemade Labneh (Yogurt Cheese)

Babaganoush Without Tahini

This Turkish-style Baba Ganoush without tahini is a smokey and flavorsome eggplant dip made with fresh Mediterranean ingredients. 

Same as Cacik (Turkish Yoghurt with Cucumbers) and Easy Authentic Hummus, it is extremely easy to make and pairs perfectly with Homemade Pita Bread.

To learn more: Baba Ganoush Without Tahini