
Palestinian cuisine shares many dishes in common with other countries in the region, including Lebanon and Syria to the north and Egypt to the southwest. Falafel, sfiha, tabouli, hummus and baba ghanoush are ubiquitous. Some of the dishes most popular with the Palestinian people include musakhan, maqluba and rice-stuffed chicken called djej mahshi.
Typical Palestinian Dishes
A list of typical Palestinian dishes and foods. Use it to help you plan a Palestinian-style meal, party or festival.
Appetizers
- Baba Ghanoush (Eggplant dip)
- Banadoora Maqliya Ma’ Thoom (Fried tomatoes)
- Hummus bi Tahini (Middle Eastern chickpea and sesame dip)
- Mafghoussa (Zucchini and tomato spread)
- Sambusak (Meat-stuffed pastries)
Soups and Stews
- Khyar b’Laban (Yogurt and cucumber soup)
- Shorbet Djaj (Chicken soup)
- Shorbet Frikeh (Cracked green wheat soup)
Salads
- Bakdoonsiyyeh (Parsley salad)
- Fattoush (Tomato, cucumber and pita salad)
- Mutabbal (Eggplant salad)
- Tabbouleh (Bulgur and parsley salad)
Dairy
- Laban (Yogurt)
Poultry
- Djaj Mahshi (Chicken stuffed with rice)
- Fatteh Djaj (Chicken with rice, pita and yogurt)
- Musakhan (Chicken layered with bread, onions and pinenuts)
Meats
- Fakhdet Kharouf bel Furun (Roast leg of lamb)
- Kefta (Spiced meatballs)
- Maqluba (Rice and eggplant casserole)
- Shawarma (Spiced meat sandwich)
Fish and Seafood
- Sayyadiya (Fish with rice)
Vegetables and Beans
- Falafel (Fried chickpea patties)
- Mjaddara (Rice and lentils)
- Musaka’a (Eggplant baked with tomatoes and chickpeas)
- Olives
- Rishtaye (Lentils and pasta)
Breads and Grains
- Fotoot (Cheese-filled dumplings)
- Frikeh (Green wheat)
- Marquq (Thin flatbread)
- Mjaddara (Rice and lentils)
- Pita (Pocket bread)
- Rishtaye (Lentils and pasta)
- Ruz Hashweh (“Oriental” rice pilaf with ground beef)
- Sayyadiya (Fish with rice)
- Shrak (Whole-wheat thin griddle bread)
Sauces
- Muhammara (Spicy roasted pepper dip)
- Taratour (Sesame sauce)
Desserts
- Dates
- Eish es-Saraya (Custard with pistachios)
- Figs
- Ghraybeh (Butter cookies)
- Kunafa (Shredded wheat with fruits and nuts)
- Qatayef (Ramadan pancakes)
- Sabra (Prickly pear fruit)
Palestinian Recipes
Try these recipes from Palestine.
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