Even with the shores of the Mediterranean Sea thousands of miles away, it’s easy to embrace the vibrant, flavor-forward way of eating that’s popular in the region! Easy Mediterranean recipes range from quick salads and cozy soups to seafood dishes and hearty rice meals brimming with fresh, flavorful ingredients. Defined by their approachability and simple preparations, these dishes highlight ingredients and traditional cooking methods that are common in the Mediterranean.
Popular around the globe, Mediterranean cuisine reflects the warm climate and culinary habits of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. A list that includes European countries, such as Greece, Italy and Spain, it also contains Middle Eastern nations, like Israel and Turkey, plus Egypt, Morocco and other African countries. Centered on fresh produce and aromatic herbs, lean proteins, filling grains, assorted cheeses and fruity olive oil, Mediterranean cuisine is incredibly varied, thanks to regional customs and preferences.
Whether you’re preparing a fully plant-based meal or want fish or chicken on your menu, including premium RiceSelect® grains in every recipe makes for a strong foundation. Delicious, reliable and simple to prepare, these grains are at the heart of countless Mediterranean dishes, from tabbouleh to paella, grain bowls and more. Many Mediterranean dishes are naturally vegan or vegetarian, which explains why it’s so popular in this style of cooking to pair rice and other grains with legumes, such as chickpeas, peas, beans and lentils.
With summer swimmingly under way, there’s no better time to embrace laidback recipes that pop with the bright flavors of the Mediterranean. Fill your kitchen with the season’s peak produce and most fragrant herbs, legumes, lean proteins and a variety of RiceSelect® rice, couscous and grains and dive into an assortment of colorful salads, shareable appetizers, bright side dishes and vitalizing mains. Whether you’re entertaining, planning a week of desk lunches or simply trying to get through a busy weeknight, Mediterranean-style cooking offers a refreshing break from routine that’s tempting, endlessly creative and blessedly budget friendly.
Salads & Light Mediterranean Sides
A way of eating that puts plant-based ingredients in the spotlight, Mediterranean cuisine is brimming with recipes built around crisp vegetables, ripe fruits, and mouthwatering grains. For potlucks, breezy summer dinners, or meal prep, these recipes will give you a delectable taste of Mediterranean-style dining.
Athenian Salad
With a nutty base of whole-grain RiceSelect® Texmati® Brown Rice, this intricate salad can sustain you through anything—from a busy workday to a leisurely day at the beach. With briny olives, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, turkey and creamy Caesar dressing, every mouthful of this dish pops with flavor.
Couscous Salad with Feta
Believe us when we tell you, 5-minute RiceSelect® Couscous is your hosting MVP! Delicious at breakfast, lunch or dinner, it’s a flexible ingredient that pairs with most things, can be cooked ahead of time and can be eaten warm, cold or at room temp. In this salad, it’s flavored with vegetable broth, then mixed with pomegranate seeds, bell pepper, cucumber, red onion and parsley for a dish that’s sweet, savory, crunchy and irresistible.
Greek Orzo Salad
Pillars of Greek cuisine—cucumber, tomatoes, black olives, feta and oregano—all find their way into this summery RiceSelect® Tri-Color Orzo salad. Crunchy and refreshing with a briny edge, it’s the perfect partner to grilled proteins—from seafood, and chicken to marinated tofu and juicy steaks.
Couscous & Swiss Chard Tabbouleh
Herby and bright, this tabbouleh salad is a delicious riff on the original. Made with RiceSelect® Couscous, Swiss chard, tomatoes, a slew of spices and a generous amount of herbs, it’s as fragrant and zesty as any you’ve had. Make it ahead of time to let the flavors fully develop.
Layered Caprese Rice Salad
A genius way to turn caprese salad into an elegant stand-alone dish, this salad includes aromatic RiceSelect® Texmati Rice for added flavor and heft. Wait for summer’s fattest, juiciest, sun-ripened tomatoes, then stun your friends and family with this colorful crowd pleaser.
Mediterranean Grain Bowls & Vegetarian Favorites
A hallmark of Mediterranean cooking, grain bowls are easy to customize, satisfying, and delicious! Try these vegetarian ideas, then experiment with your favorite ingredient combinations.
Mediterranean Brown Rice Bowl with Halloumi
An ideal way to turn Cypriot halloumi cheese into a complete meal, this RiceSelect® Texmati® Brown Rice bowl is a novel vegetarian option. Ready in just 40 minutes, it pairs gooey, golden seared slices of cheese with flavored rice and a zingy veggie blend. Lemony vinaigrette pulls every delicious bite together.
Creamy Feta & Chickpea Pearl Couscous
With creamy feta sauce, chickpeas, chard and RiceSelect® Pearl Couscous, this is one of our favorite mediterranean recipes. Like a warm pasta salad, it’s got a tempting mix of smoky spices, briny cheese, nubby couscous, and savory vegetables. Serve this dish as a side at a backyard barbecue or potluck, or as a pared-down vegetarian lunch or dinner.
Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach Rice)
Inspired by spanakopita (the famed Greek phyllo pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese), this RiceSelect® Arborio Rice dish boasts a range of bold flavors. Happily, big flavor doesn’t translate to a ton of effort, and this elegant dish can be on the table in just 40 minutes! We love it with roasted broccolini, but you can pair it with your favorite vegetable.
Mediterranean Main Dishes
Complete meals that pair protein and vegetables with hearty grains, these options never disappoint. Drawing from a wide range of Mediterranean flavors, they span citrusy and bright to smoky and spicy, with no dull morsels to be found.
One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken & Basmati Rice
A powerhouse main that conveniently cooks in just one pot, this dish combines tender chicken, juicy tomatoes, herbs and RiceSelect® Premium Basmati Rice into a comforting go-to. Pretty enough for company, thanks to a final garnish of olives, feta and parsley, this dish is also great during the week, as you can do other things while it simmers away, undisturbed.
Moroccan Spiced Roast Chicken with Pearl Couscous Chickpea Stew
A cozy, warming meal, this roast chicken and RiceSelect® Tri-Color Couscous dish is made for leisurely weekends. Though it may seem complicated, the oven does most of the work, cooking the chicken and vegetables until caramelized and tender.
Easy Paella
A simplified version of Spain’s national dish, this paella simmers without needing constant attention. For authentic flavor, combine seafood, sausage and chicken. Or, if you prefer, streamline things further by choosing just one protein. For the creamiest texture, opt for RiceSelect® Arborio Rice.
Orzo and Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Few things delight like the sight of this saucy, cheesy RiceSelect® Orzo dish hitting the table. A relatively straightforward combination of homemade beef meatballs, rich tomato sauce and quick-cooking pasta, it’s exactly the type of dish you want to dive into at the end of a long day. Plus, leftovers will make for an extra special lunch the next day.
Seafood Mediterranean Recipes
With its abundance of seafood, the Mediterranean Sea provides plenty of culinary inspiration for the countries that surround it. Try some seafood mainstays paired with RiceSelect® grains. Start with risotto and couscous, then try more combinations made with the freshest fish and shellfish you can find.
Shrimp Scampi with Pearl Couscous
Cooked in lemony, garlic-scented butter, sautéed shrimp are a tender, delicate garnish for RiceSelect® Pearl Couscous. No-fuss and ready in just 20 minutes, this scampi-flavored dish can brighten up busy weekdays, quiet weekends and gatherings with family and friends. For a complete meal, pair this with your favorite steamed or roasted vegetables.
Seafood Risotto
Clams, scallops, shrimp and calamari give this elegant dish a sophisticated look and rich flavor. Made with kelp-infused broth, every bite carries the briny taste of the sea. Though RiceSelect® Arborio Rice is essential for the creamiest results, if you want to cut back on the cook time, simply scale back on the assortment of seafood you use here.
Risotto Milanese with Seared Scallops
Traditional and incredibly sophisticated, this seafood risotto is for nights when you want to impress. Flavored with white wine, Parmigiano and saffron, it’s topped with tender scallops that are seared to a golden brown. Best of all? With a mere 35-minute cook time, this elegant dish can grace your table any night of the week.
Cozy Mediterranean Comfort Dishes
Comfort food goes coastal in these warming Mediterranean dishes. Loaded with hearty ingredients that explode with flavor, they bring indulgence to the table without an ounce of effort.
Tuscany Rice & Bean Soup
When looking for Mediterranean dinner recipes that fit into your frantic weekly schedule, you’ll want to position this soothing soup at the top of the list. A 3-step recipe that transforms pantry staples into a delicious meal, this cucina povera classic is made with tomatoes, sausage, beans, RiceSelect® Texmati® Brown Rice and a smattering of herbs. Easy to make for dinner, it can also be packed into a thermos for lunch or frozen and enjoyed at a later date. For added punch, top each serving with fresh basil, a drizzle of good olive oil and a shaving or two of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Sun-Dried Tomato Italian Sausage Risotto
Reserve this Northern Italian dish for evenings when you can enjoy the rhythm of stirring RiceSelect® Arborio Rice until it releases its starch and morphs into textbook risotto. Enriched with sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, and a splash of cream, this 35-minute dish can transport you and the family to Tuscany, any time you like!