10 Famous Middle Eastern Dishes Made Vegan

With so many different countries and cultures making up the Middle East, it is hardly surprising that an enormous amount of delicious food comes out of there.

It seems almost an insult to try to sum up the cuisine of the Middle East in a list of just TEN, but we have to start somewhere. So many dishes from that part of the world are already vegan, but there is no harm in tweaking the others a little so that everyone can partake.

Here is a list of 10 OGP recipes that take inspiration from the wonderful menus of the Middle East.

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

1. Grilled Cauliflower Doner Wraps

Source: Grilled Cauliflower Doner Wraps

These tasty Grilled Cauliflower Doner Wraps by Adam Merrin and Ryan Alvarez are a fireworks display for your mouth. They are fun to make, quick to assemble, and perfect for all your summer entertaining needs. Here, thick cauliflower “steaks” are brushed with Turkish marinade, an intensely flavored Mediterranean sauce made with an exotic blend of garlic, tomatoes, cumin, and Middle Eastern spices.

2. Authentic Chickpea Falafel

Source: Authentic Chickpea Falafel

Light, crispy, and packed with herby aromas. The best ever chickpea falafel recipe. High in protein, and fiber, and 100% gluten-free. These fried vegetarian falafels are often served along with hummus, tahini sauce, and pita bread. This Authentic Chickpea Falafel by Jamie Raftery is also great served with Zhoug, a spicy Syrian herb sauce.

3.  Mujadara: Middle Eastern Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions

Source: Mujadara: 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. This Mujadara: Middle Eastern Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions by Rouxbe is easy to make and full of flavor and nutrition.

4. Buckwheat and Avocado Tabbouleh

Source: Buckwheat and Avocado Tabbouleh

This 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 for Buckwheat and Avocado Tabbouleh by Rita Marie kind of branches off by adding avocados, cucumber, chia, and flax, and substitutes buckwheat for bulgur. This recipe is reminiscent of tabbouleh only in the sense that it has all the delicious flavors of the original with even more healthy greens.

5. Hummus with Macadamia Dukkah

Source: Hummus with Macadamia Dukkah

Hummus is mostly known as an appetizer or dip in the Middle Eastern world. This recipe for Hummus with Macadamia Dukkah by Judy Moosmueller is a variation with macadamia nuts (native to Australia) and dukkah, which is also a Middle Eastern condiment. Tastes beautiful and adds some extra healthy fats.

6. Tofu Shawarma

Source: Tofu Shawarma

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

7. Sabich Spaghetti Squash

Source: Sabich Spaghetti Squash

This delicious Sabich Spaghetti Squash by Paris Marash contains eggplant, spaghetti squash, tomato sauce, and beans and takes inspiration from the popular Israeli dish sabich, which in Hebrew is an acronym for a popular dish consisting of salad, egg, and eggplant. This meal is totally vegan, totally filling, and totally easy to make! Not to mention low carb, low fat, and full of healthy nutrients your body will love!

8. Moutabal (Middle-Eastern Eggplant Dip)

Source: Moutabal (Middle-Eastern Eggplant Dip)

The Moutabal (Middle-Eastern Eggplant Dip) by Adam Merrin and Ryan Alvarez is fun to make and involves roasting a whole eggplant on the stove, directly on the flame, until it is charred, blistered, and blackened, resulting in an irresistibly smoky flavor and creamy texture. Combined with fresh lemon juice, raw garlic, chopped parsley, creamy tahini, and a few pinches of cumin and cayenne pepper, this tangy, smoky, garlicky dip makes a deliciously healthy snack and is the perfect dish to serve with some warm pita at your next party. Introducing the Levantine delicacy known as Moutabal.

9. Iranian Eggplant and Chickpea Stew

Source: Iranian Eggplant and Chickpea Stew

Hearty, filling, and loaded with spices, this fragrant and flavorful Iranian eggplant stew will amaze your tastebuds! This Iranian Eggplant and Chickpea Stew by Danielle Joy is the perfect festive dinner that will keep all your guests satisfied in body and soul. With sweet and warm flavors of dates, apricots, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and turmeric, this dish is absolutely AMAZING. Once you’ve had a taste of this Iranian eggplant stew, just thinking about it might make you smile.

10. Silken Tofu Shakshuka

Source: Silken Tofu Shakshuka

Shakshuka is one of those breakfast recipes that has steadily gained popularity in the last couple of years, but anyone who’s enjoyed a North African or Middle Eastern breakfast will be familiar with its rich and tangy flavors. Typically topped with eggs, this recipe substitutes them for seasoned silken tofu, giving you a genuine, egg-free shakshuka experience. This Silken Tofu Shakshuka by Laura Hemmington is an easy one-pan meal best served with bread that’s perfect for soaking up all the flavorful tomato sauce.

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