They’re nutty, herbaceous, and oh-so-scrumptious. Za’atar is a spice blend from the Middle East and Mediterranean. Used daily, it’s the Middle East’s answer to French Fines Herbes. It’s a savory mix of spices, including thyme, cumin, oregano, and marjoram. And while za’atar herbs may vary, they will ALWAYS include sumac, toasted sesame seeds, and salt. All of those delicious herbs impart some fantastic health benefits. So not only are these za’atar recipes tasty, but they’re good for you too!
Easy Za’atar Spice Recipes
1. One Sheet Pan Roasted Za’atar Chicken and Potatoes
I adore one-pan meals. They’re so quick and easy, and I just love the minimal clean-up! Plus, they’re extra delicious because all of the flavors meld together while everything cooks. And this za’atar chicken and potato dish is sublime! The chicken thighs are succulent with heavenly crispy skin. Meanwhile, the meat is juicy and brimming with flavor. Then there are the potatoes! They’re soft and tender little bites of happiness. And the outsides are as crunchy as can be. What more could you want?
2. Za’atar Garlic Spinach Pasta
If you’re out of your regular pasta sauce, why not give this za’atar, garlic, and spinach recipe a shot? This pasta is garlicky, spicy, nutty, citrusy, and seriously flavorful. It’s so good, you may never go back to store-bought sauce again.
3. Simple Mediterranean Avocado Salad
If fresh is best, then this is definitely the best salad around! It’s flavorful, textural, and utterly divine. And since it’s so simple, you can make it anytime! Cucumbers, tomatoes, shallots, avocados, basil, and kalamata olives make up the base. Then, all that’s topped with fried halloumi and tossed in a delicious za’atar vinaigrette. Yum!
4. Mediterranean-Style Sweet Potato Toast
Is it nachos, toast, or a potato dish? I think it’s a bit of everything, and it is 100% delicious! It’s the kind of dish that tastes good and feels good, too. This recipe features roasted slices of sweet potatoes covered with tahini, chickpeas, za’atar, tomatoes, scallions, parsley, and feta. I think that sounds pretty darn amazing. But feel free to change up the seasonings and toppings as you like.
5. Harissa Hummus with Za’atar
Spice up your appetizers with this deliciously flavorful hummus. I always say that homemade hummus is the best. It’s easy to make, fresh, and super yummy. Plus, you can make it your own with fun extras, like this incredible harissa hummus recipe! It’s nutty and creamy, with a lovely slow burn of heat in the back of your mouth. The za’atar adds a citrusy, herby element that will send your taste buds soaring. Double this up and watch it disappear.
6. Za’atar Chicken with Fattoush
If you like succulent, well-seasoned chicken with fresh veggies and fried bread, you’re in luck because this is it. And that’s all you really need to know about this easy, healthy dinner. Oh yeah… and it’s FLIPPING DELICIOUS!
7. Quinoa Pilaf with Za’atar Roasted Butternut Pumpkin and Persimmon
This vegan dish is flavorful, filling, and sure to become a fan favorite. It’s bursting with bright, contradicting yet complementary flavors, and it looks great too. It’s sweet, tangy, citrusy, savory, super fragrant, and utterly delicious. P.S. Butternut pumpkin is the same as butternut squash. It’s just what our friends in some Oceania countries call it.
8. Best Middle Eastern Salad Dressing
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: homemade salad dressing is fantastic. It’s so easy to make, and it always tastes great. This Middle Eastern salad dressing will definitely make your taste buds do a happy dance. Plus, it whips up in roughly 5 minutes, with only five ingredients. It’s fresh, tangy, citrusy, and tasty!
9. Middle Eastern Za’atar (Manakish Za’atar)
If you love flatbreads and pizzas, then you’ll go nuts for this delicious manakish za’atar. It’s a soft, easy flatbread dough smothered in za’atar and olive oil. Then it’s baked to golden perfection. It’s delicious just like that, but you can definitely add your favorite toppings. Cheese, tomatoes, olives, and fresh herbs are all excellent choices.
10. Roasted Vegetable Soup with Tahini and Za’atar
Easy. Warm. Comforting. Customizable. Delicious. Sound too good to be true, huh? It’s not, though! In fact, this soup is seriously flavorful and crazy easy to make. Loaded with your favorite veggies and lots of seasonings, it’s a must-make. Tahini, za’atar, garlic, lemon, and smoked paprika make this utterly scrumptious.
11. Sheet Pan Za’atar Chickpeas with Sweet Potatoes
Middle Eastern food is one of my absolute favorite types of cuisines. And if you’re like me, this Middle Eastern-inspired dish is one you definitely need to try. Not only is it absolutely delicious, but it’s loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s a feast for your body and your soul! Plus, it’s plant-based, so anyone can have it.
12. Mediterranean Flatbread with Arugula and Smoked Salmon
Take your taste buds on a Mediterranean adventure with this elegant flatbread recipe. The crust is soft and chewy, and the toppings are absolutely delicious. This flatbread features creamy hummus topped with flavorful za’atar, fresh tomatoes, and fresh arugula. And that’s just the base! It also has earthy smoked salmon, nutty toasted pine nuts, salty feta, and flavorful olives. I mean… come on! It’s SO good.
13. Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Za’atar and Tahini
I love fries in all forms, but I really love sweet potato fries. The potatoes get all crispy and caramelized, and sweet potatoes hold seasonings so well. So, these flavorful sweet potato fries are fantastic. The sweetness pairs beautifully with the herbaceous, citrusy notes of the za’atar. Then, dip each fry in nutty tahini sauce for a total umami explosion.
14. Olive and Za’atar Focaccia
Homemade artisan bread does not have to be intimidating. In fact, the hardest part of this recipe is waiting for it to proof. Once baked, this focaccia recipe is rich, flavorful, and absolutely mouthwatering. So it’s worth the wait, I swear! The best part is that this recipe makes basic focaccia, and you can switch up the toppings every time you make it.
15. Labneh with Olive and Za’atar
If chips (or insert dipping food of choice) and dip are your jam, try this. Labneh is a Middle Eastern yogurt that’s thicker than a Snickers and super creamy. And labneh makes for a deliciously tangy dip. All you need to do is add salt, za’atar, and olive oil onto the labneh. Then, serve with crunchy pita chips!
16. Za’atar-Roasted Carrot Soup with Chickpeas
There’s just something so delicious about creamy, pureed vegetable soup. Every spoonful is warm and comforting, not to mention super tasty! Bold Middle Eastern flavors inspire this simple soup with a roasted carrot base. It’s accompanied by tasty alliums, seasonings, broth, and heavy cream, making it luxuriously smooth and perfect for a chilly winter evening.
17. Grilled Za’atar Chicken Burgers with Cucumber Mint Tzatziki
You’re in for a treat with these za’atar chicken burgers. Sure, regular burgers are delicious, but these are so flavorful and light. Perfect for a hot summer’s day, the chicken patties are flavored with za’atar, so they’re citrusy, nutty, and herbaceous. Then, they’re topped with a cool and creamy mint tzatziki sauce. It’s so refreshing that you might just want to bathe in it. Top with fresh veggies, and you’re good to go! Click on a star to rate it!
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