Are you looking for a fresh and exciting way to spice up your menu? Mediterranean Side Dishes are an excellent option, not only because they provide variety to your meals, but also because their flavors pack a punch!
From salads to pasta, rice dishes to veggies, these classic Mediterranean favorites will bring an array of colors, textures, and tastes to your dinner table.
Plus, many of these recipes can be on the table in 30 minutes or less – so no matter how busy life is you’ll always find time for delicious food!
So why not take a break from some of the more traditional sides and explore all that Mediterranean cuisine has to offer.
Mediterranean Side Dishes:
1. Greek Salad (Horiatiki)
We’ll start our excellent list of Mediterranean Side Dish Recipes with the popular Greek salad and summertime treat, Horiatiki!
To make it perfect, all you need is crisp cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes, red onions, briny olives, capers, feta, and a simple herb dressing, and combine everything just beautifully.
This authentic Greek salad pairs great with Greek mains like mousaka, souvlaki, and much more, or you can enjoy it as a part of your mezze platter. It will be amazing whatever you serve it with. Give this fresh Greek Salad a try!
2. Sicilian Pasta
Try out our mouth-watering Sicilian Pasta, and become a fan of this easy and flavor-packed dish.
This pasta side dish is brimming with delicious flavors that include mixed olives, capers, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, and other delicious fixings.
It’s one of our favorite Mediterranean side dishes.
3. Tabbouleh
You will simply love this classic Tabbouleh salad, which is a bowl full of fresh and green ingredients.
It’s a tasty Middle Eastern salad that is an amazing side dish for your favorite main, or you can enjoy it on its own.
4. Greek Lemon Rice
This bright and flavorful Greek Lemon Rice recipe is so easy to make with simple ingredients, yet it elevates your rice so, so much.
It’s the perfect side for many of your favorite Mediterranean dishes, boosting your meal’s flavor profile to another level!
You will love this dish since it is so quick to prepare. It takes less than 30 minutes! Enjoy!
5. Spanish Summer Salad (Pipirrana)
This summer, cool off with this classy Spanish Summer Salad, also called Pipirrana!
The recipe is all about fresh juicy tomatoes, other delicious crunchy fresh ingredients, and eggs for a protein boost. This is a great summer cookout salad that everyone will enjoy.
6. Lebanese Batata Harra
Jazz up your potatoes with an exotic Middle Eastern twist by making our Lebanese Batata Harra recipe!
A mix of special spices and fresh herbs coat the roasted or fried potatoes. It’s a wonderful side dish.
7. Moroccan Couscous Salad
This Moroccan Couscous Salad is bursting with vibrant colors and exotic flavors, and is made with fresh veggies and earthy spices that taste so, so delicious.
You can easily wrap up this tasty salad in less than 20 minutes. It can be a superb companion for your favorite meats, or you can enjoy it on its own.
8. Mediterranean Cannellini Beans
Yet another smashing side dish that will become your new family favorite is this Cannellini Beans recipe!
It’s made with creamy, buttery beans with lots of herbs, garlic, tomatoes, and parmesan, and is simply busting with delicious flavors. So good!
9. Hashweh
Lebanese Hashweh rice is a hearty one pot dish where rice is cooked with ground meat and plenty of warm Middle Eastern spices.
Top it up with fresh parsley and a variety of nuts, and you have a totally company worthy dish that can serve as an entrée or a side.
9. Fasolakia (Greek Green Beans)
Fasolakia, or Greek Green Beans, will make you wonder how simple green beans can be so wonderfully delicious. But believe me, this Greek recipe might change the way you think about this humble vegetable.
Known locally as Fasolakia Lathera, it is a delightful and comforting Greek dish that’s perfect for those who crave wholesome, home-cooked flavors.
10. Espinacas con Garbanzos (Spanish Spinach with Chick Peas)
Enjoy these Espinacas con Garbanzos (Spanish Spinach with Chick Peas), they’re a traditional Spanish Tapas recipe that is perfect to serve as a most delicious appetizer for your future parties.
This exotic dish will win everyone’s hearts and taste buds for sure.
11. Balela Salad (Middle Eastern Bean Salad)
Our colorful and vibrant Middle Eastern Balela Salad is brimming with delicious flavors.
This effortless recipe is all about the perfect combination of ingredients. Wow, your loved ones by serving this tasty and satisfying salad, and get ready for compliments.
12. Saffron Rice
Searching for simple and delicious side dish recipes? Then search no more, as this Saffron Rice is as easy as they get.
This easy rice takes hardly any time to make, and is filled with amazing flavor and fragrance. It makes a great side dish to any of your favorite mains.
13. Pesto Pasta
Make classy Pesto Pasta and wow everyone. It’s loaded with wonderfully delicious flavors.
The homemade fresh basil pesto sauce with parmesan and pine nuts coats the spaghetti deliciously. Give this awesome recipe a sure try.
14. Israeli Couscous Salad
This Israeli Couscous Salad is going to be your new favorite salad recipe, as it’s loaded with all fresh, vibrant flavors and superb textures.
It’s an ideal and hearty salad to serve for your coming summer cookouts or potlucks. Simply enjoy.
15. Antipasto Salad
Impress your family and friends with this spectacular Antipasto Salad!
This no-cook recipe is loaded with excellent ingredients which go beautifully together, and the homemade Italian vinaigrette ties it all together.
A sure shot Italian treat for your guests.
16. Falafel
Now, this Falafel is all vegetarian’s dream come true, as these chickpeas balls are just divine!
The recipe shows how to make the ultimate Middle Eastern Falafel, which is best eaten in a pita, wrap, or sandwich, and has deep-fry or baked options.
So just relish these amazing and flavorful balls, and see them becomes everyone’s favorite in no time.
17. Caponata
This Caponata is a super trendy Sicilian dish that will win everyone’s hearts and taste buds.
You will love the perfect combination of sweet, sour, and fresh ingredients that are just too good with each other.
A delicious eggplant side dish that is great with any hearty weekend meal.
18. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Bring this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad to your next cookout or potluck, and watch it disappear in front of your eyes.
This light, tasty dish is the perfect side. It’s loaded with a simple mix of quinoa, veggies, some Mediterranean staples, and a zesty lemon dressing. That’s all it takes to make this bowl so good.
It’s a super healthy salad, and it will definitely become a new family favorite.
19. Gigantes Plaki (Greek Baked Beans)
If you love beans, then this Gigantes Plaki is going to be your family’s new favorite dish and gets a definite place in your favorite recipe repertoire.
To make this classic Greek dish, you just need three easy components, beans, chunky tomato sauce, and the garnish, which combines this dish together amazingly.
Enjoy this dish as an appetizer with some crunchy bread or as a side to your favorite mains. You will be a fan of these vegetarian Greek Baked Beans for sure.
Get the Recipe @ themediterraneandish
20. Baguette
This French baguette recipe gives a step-by-step process to bake the perfect artisan homemade baguettes! They’re crispy on the outside and soft in the center.
Your very own homemade French baguette is so much better and satisfying that any you will ever buy in the store. Just that freshly baked aroma, when it comes out of the oven will make you reach for some butter and polish it off.
Get the Recipe @ aberdeenskitchen
21. Greek Potato Wedges
Looking for a new way to make fries? Then try these Greek Potato Wedges and serve this absolutely delicious side at home.
They’re super fun to make and loaded with all your favorite Mediterranean flavors, like dried oregano, rosemary, fresh dill, and lemon zest.
Serve these flavorful, crisp wedges with creamy yogurt sauce and make an amazing snack or side dish.
Get the Recipe @ midwestfoodieblog
22. Moroccan Eggplant Salad with Chermoula
Moroccan Eggplant Salad with Chermoula is yet another smashing vegetarian dish, which you all will simply love.
This healthy salad is jam-packed with creamy, herby, and deliciously spiced flavors which are just mouth-watering.
You will definitely add this vegetable salad to your list of favorite Moroccan recipes.
Get the Recipe @ thedeliciouscrescent
23. Patatas Bravas
Another very famous Spanish tapas is Patatas Bravas.
This effortless dish is about perfectly crispy potatoes that are topped with the incredibly delicious brave sauce, making it one of the best Spanish recipes ever.
Get the Recipe @ unicornsinthekitchen
24. Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach Rice)
Learn how to make this healthy and tasty Greek Spinach Rice, or Spanakorizo, with the help of this excellent recipe.
This vegetarian meal or side dish is super filling and packed full of spinach, onions, fresh herbs, and lemon, making this rice ultra flavorful.
There are many ways to make this amazing rice, so be adventurous and make it your own. It will turn out amazing however you make it!
25. Piyaz (Turkish White Bean Salad)
This classic Turkish Bean Salad, or Piyaz, is so delicious that you can easily pair this with any of your favorite main dishes.
To make this salad, you need white beans, red onions, tomatoes, parsley, and a simple zesty salad dressing. All it takes is ten minutes!
It’s so amazing that you will surely add this salad to your weekly rotational menu. It’s also great for those who are on vegan or gluten-free diets. Enjoy!
Get the Recipe @ fullproofliving
26. Homemade Dolma (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Next time you’re planning to entertain, make this popular Mediterranean dish, Dolma, at home.
This recipe is much easier to make than you would think. Just follow it step-by-step, and enjoy these super flavorful stuffed grape leaves. They are filled with rice, ground beef, fresh herbs, and wonderful spices, making them just too delectable.
Savor this as an appetizer, snack, or light dinner with Tzatziki sauce and Tabbouleh salad to impress everyone.
27. Italian Green Beans
Make the most magical Italian side dish with this Italian Green Beans recipe!
These flavorful and fresh beans are perfectly coated with breadcrumbs, parmesan, and other mixings, and gets ready in just 15 minutes.
It’s too yummy…
28. Potatoes Dauphinoise
THIS is the crème de la crème of all potato recipes!!
Also known as Dauphinoise Potatoes, this French classic is made with layers upon layers of finely sliced potatoes, cream, butter and cheese with a hint of fresh thyme.
It’s one of our favorite Mediterranean side dishes!
Get the Recipe @ howtofeedaloon
29. Risotto
Learn how to make the perfect Italian delicacy, Risotto with this exceptional recipe!
You will relish each and every bite of this deliciously creamy risotto, which is totally restaurant quality.
It’s one of the most famous Italian side dishes for good reason!
30. Pita Bread
Everyone loves Pita Bread, but have you made it at home? If not, this is the perfect recipe to master your it!
This Mediterranean delicacy is super simple to make, and you can relish it with so many different delicious dishes.
In this recipe, they have shown two ways to make this amazing bread, in the oven and on the stovetop.
Get the Recipe @ natashaskitchen
We hope you enjoyed this list of Mediterranean Side Dishes. There’s so many yummy recipes to choose from!
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Mediterranean Recipes
Italian Side Dishes
Greek Side Dishes
Asian Side Dishes
Mexican Side Dishes
Rice Side Dishes
Potato Side Dishes
Vegetable Side Dishes
30 BEST Mediterranean Side Dishes
This collection of Mediterranean Side Dishes will add so much flavor and variety to your dinner table.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1.5 cups uncooked white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill
- juice + zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté till it starts to become translucent. Add in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add rice and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Pour in chicken broth and mix well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat, open the lid and fluff rice with a fork. Add in parsley, dill, lemon juice and lemon zest. Mix until well combined.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 258Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 2mgSodium 488mgCarbohydrates 48gFiber 1gSugar 6gProtein 4g
Nutrition information calculated by Nutritionix.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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