27 Easy Mediterranean Diet Recipes and Meal Ideas

Why Mediterranean Diet Recipes Get a Gold Star

The Mediterranean diet has been winning "best diet" awards for years now, and for good reason: Eating Mediterranean diet recipes has been linked to reduced risk of disease and better heart health, according to the Mayo Clinic.

But the best part about Mediterranean diet recipes isn't that it's a concrete plan or dedicated to helping you drop pounds; rather, it's a way of eating that incorporates healthy fats, lots of fresh produce, and whole grains. Translation: You can do it for your entire life and never feel like you're a person actually following a diet. (In fact, studies show you can lose weight on the Mediterranean diet without cutting any calories.)

Snag some of these easy Mediterranean diet recipes to create your own Mediterranean meal plan, or sprinkle them into your week to add some flair (and all the health perks) to your healthy eating routine.

The Ultimate Mediterranean Bowl

For the girl who just can't get enough Mediterranean flavors, say hello to your new fave. Falafel, parsley salad, hummus, olives, and whatever sauces your heart desires meet up in one delicious bowl. (Try these other bowl recipes while you're at it.)

Mediterranean Potato Hash with Asparagus, Chickpeas, and Poached Eggs

This potato hash recipe combines chickpeas, asparagus, tomatoes, feta, and poached eggs with za'atar, allspice, and paprika for a delicious Mediterranean diet recipe you'll want to make for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Israeli Pasta Salad

This veggie-packed pasta salad actually tastes better after a day or two in the fridge. So if you make a big batch of this Mediterranean diet recipe on the weekend, you'll have delicious healthy lunches for days. Talk about meal planning, made easy!

Cauliflower Pizza with Greek Yogurt Pesto and Grilled Veggies

Low in carbs, high in protein, this extra-crunchy cauliflower pizza is topped with nutrient-rich grilled veggies, eggs, Greek yogurt, and savory herbs and spices. It's enough flavor to make your Italian guests cry out, "Mamma mia!"

Greek Shrimp Farro Bowl

If you've never given farro a try, this pretty bowl of goodness will have you stopping by the grocery store on your way home tonight. Farro has basically zero fat, is a great source of fiber, and an even better source of bone-boosting calcium. It's a little denser than brown rice, is a bit more substantial than quinoa, and is a perfect match for this Mediterranean diet recipe. (Obsessed? Try these healthy recipes featuring high-fiber foods.)

One-Pot Greek Chicken with Lemon Rice

One pot, lots of flavor. This Mediterranean diet recipe might not be a traditional Greek recipe, but the ingredients (chicken, olive oil, oregano) are a delicious nod to the region and are some of the most versatile Mediterranean diet foods.

Greek Turkey Meatball Gyro with Tzatziki

Swap in ground turkey for lamb in this gyro recipe. The homemade tzatziki with Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, and dill takes the Mediterranean diet recipe to the next level.

Spinach, Feta, and Artichoke Matzo Mina

This off-the-charts Greek-style casserole makes an ideal meal is you're craving lasagna. Seasoned with dill, lemon zest, and other unmistakably Mediterranean flavors, it makes a great meal for vegetarians for lunch — or serve it as a side dish at your Passover Seder.

Greek Salad Tacos

Give the classic Greek salad a slightly heartier twist by throwing the good-for-you ingredients into a tortilla. This Mediterranean diet recipe calls for an extra-flavorful cucumber-dill dressing to really amp up those Mediterranean flavors.

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken

There are fewer dishes to wash with this Mediterranean diet recipe; the entire meal cooks in the slow cooker. Chop an onion and roasted red peppers, then toss in with the chicken, olives, and seasonings before cooking on low for four hours.

Greek Quesadillas

Sautéed spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta are the base of this Greek-inspired quesadilla. The homemade tzatziki sauce elevates the dish to a masterpiece of Mediterranean flavor.

Mediterranean Nachos

Beet, turnip, and sweet potato chips make the perfect healthy base for this easy Mediterranean diet recipe. Once you try the nachos, you'll want these spiced chickpeas and homemade tahini-yogurt sauce on everything.

Greek Super Grains Salad

Crunchy veggies (like tri-colored bell peppers and cucumber) get tossed with chopped tomatoes, feta, and olives for traditional Greek flavor in this Mediterranean diet recipe. Add quinoa (or the grain of your choice) and it's instantly elevated from a snack to this filling salad. A little red wine vinegar and quality olive oil and you're good to go.

Avgolemono Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Avgolemono (say that five times fast) is a Greek lemony chicken soup and one of the tastiest Mediterranean diet recipes. It's dense and creamy, but that thickness comes from eggs, not cream. This soup is filled with shredded chicken, orzo, and lemon juice.

Salmon Souvlaki Bowls

Souvlakia are Greek skewers with grilled meat or veggies. This recipe is a deconstructed bowl version that's Mediterranean diet–friendly. (We've already established that bowl recipes are amazing.) The salmon is marinated and grilled before being assembled with couscous, colorful vegetables, and tzatziki.

Vegan Smoky Moussaka

If you love eggplant parm, you should totally try moussaka, a Greek dish with baked eggplant, tomato sauce, béchamel, and often ground meat. Herbivores can get in on the action with this vegan version. It replaces ground beef with smoky tofu and is topped with a dairy-free béchamel.

Greek Fish Tacos

If a gyro and a taco had a baby, it would be these delicious Greek fish tacos, which swap pita for a tortilla and salsa for some tzatziki. Choose your favorite white fish to sauté, then top with red cabbage, tomatoes, olives, cucumber, and feta for a Mediterranean diet recipe that rivals your Mexican fave.

Mediterranean Roasted Cabbage Steaks with Basil Pesto and Feta

Vegetarian keto recipes that taste like pizza? Yes, please! This one has basil pesto, two types of cheeses, a handful of chopped artichokes, and plenty of tomatoes to make this meal a Mediterranean diet delight.

Spanish Garlic Shrimp

Step up your traditional shrimp cocktail (and keep it both paleo and Mediterranean diet–friendly) with this delicious and nutritious recipe for Spanish Garlic Shrimp. Shrimp meets nearly 100 percent of your daily needs for selenium — an important nutrient that supports a healthy heart and immune system.

Quinoa Stuffed Eggplant with Tahini Sauce

This Mediterranean diet recipe is simple to throw together on busy weeknights — just toss tomatoes, mushrooms, and quinoa into an eggplant half. The homemade tahini sauce elevates the flavors of the fresh vegetables.

Crock-Pot Chicken Thighs with Artichokes and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Throw chicken in a slow cooker with sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes for one of the easiest Mediterranean diet recipes around. (If the keto diet is more your jam, try these healthy chicken recipes.)

Vegetarian Paella with Chickpeas, Green Beans, and Shishito Peppers

This Spanish dish works perfectly for a family-style meal. Even better: This version skips the shrimp, mussels, and clams in the classic dish, so it'll suit any vegetarians craving Mediterranean diet recipes.

Mediterranean Red Beans and Barley Bowl

"I love to color my bowls with veggies, fruits, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and seeds," says Vicki Shanta Retelny, R.D.N. "It's a healthy and hearty way to fuel your body." This bowl recipe is packed with protein from beans, and fiber from the barley, called beta-glucan, is beneficial for helping to rid your body of excess cholesterol.

Easy Lentil Soup Recipe

Gone are the days of sad, canned veggie soup that leaves you hungry for another meal. This homemade Mediterranean diet recipe is packed with brown lentils, giving it a plant-based protein punch and extra dose of satiety.

Spinach Feta Grilled Cheese

All hail spinach, the original dark leafy green with a mega-dose of iron — one crucial nutrient responsible for maintaining strong energy levels. And don't forget to praise feta — this is one crumbly, savory cheese that's lower in fat and calories than most. Feta doesn't melt very easily, so try a blend of stringy mozzarella and feta in this Mediterranean diet recipe for the perfect, light grilled cheese sandwich.

Quinoa Tabbouleh

Traditionally, this Lebanese salad is made using bulgur wheat, but this Mediterranean diet recipe is entirely gluten-free. Everything else is the same, and oh-so-simple: tomatoes, onion, mint, parsley, lemon juice, and a splash of olive oil. Skip the expensive salad bar, and make this healthy recipe at home instead.

Garlic and Anchovy Roasted Lamb Chops

Last but not least of the best Mediterranean diet recipes is this crave-worthy dish. Anchovies are the star flavor of this mouthwatering dinner, adding a briny taste that's anything but fishy. Season with sage butter and garlic and top with chopped olives for a full-on Mediterranean feel.