With Eid approaching, perhaps you are looking to break out of the norm and try something new, or maybe you prefer tried-and-true, authentic Eid recipes. Whether you are in the mood for savory or sweet, this selection of international dishes offers something for everyone to enjoy – Eid Mubarak!
What is EID?
Eid-Al-Fitr and Eid-Al-Adha are two of the most important religious holidays for Muslims. While each one has its own meaning and celebration, the two days bring families together to worship and enjoy one another, and food is always a central part of the celebration.
What Can I Cook on Eid-Al-Fitr?
Dressed in their best, devoted followers in Pakistan often enjoy a fresh bowl of sheer khurma together before heading to prayer. Other sweets consumed are gulab jamun, phirni, barfi, faluda, and chum chum.
What Eid Recipes Can I Cook on Eid-Al-Adha?
Eid-al-Adha, or bakra Eid, is an Islamic holiday known as the “Festival of Sacrifice.” It commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son to show obedience. One of the significant customs of Eid-al-Adha is sacrificing an animal, usually a sheep, goat, or cow, and distributing the meat among family, friends, and those in need. Some popular Pakistani meals to prepare on this day include haleem, biryani, kabobs, qorma, and kabuli pulao.
Traditional Eid Recipes From Around the World
- 1. Koobideh Kabob
- 2. Zaalouk
- 3. Falafels
- 4. Adana Kebab
- 5. Chicken Kaleji
- 6. Aloo Keema
- 7. Moroccan Meatballs
- 8. Seekh Kabob Fry
- 9. Bhuna Gosht
- 10. Saç Kavurma
- 11. Grilled Tandoori Chicken
- 12. Chicken Karahi
- 13. Chana Chicken
- 14. Chicken Tikka Biryani
- 15. Mutton Biryani
- 16. Boneless Leg of Lamb
- 17. Palak Gosht
- 18. Nalli Nihari
- 19. Za’atar Turkey
- 20. Indian Mango Lassi
- 21. Sheer Khurma
- 22. Muhalabieh
- 23. Halawet El Jibn
- 24. E-I-D Letter Cream Cookie
Appetizer Recipes
1. Koobideh Kabob
Country: Iran
Koobideh kabob is a labor of love made with finely ground beef, grated onion, salt, and black pepper to form juicy kabobs brushed with saffron butter.
If you prefer chicken over beef, try joojeh kabob!
2. Zaalouk
3. Falafels
Country: Lebanon
Serve crispy Lebanese falafels made from chickpeas, fresh parsley, and cilantro. It’s a perfect appetizer for vegetarians and vegans!
Use the mouth-watering falafels to top salads or as a filling for wraps and sandwiches.
Photo Credit: Sims Home Kitchen
4. Adana Kebab
Country: Turkey
Impress your guests with this tender Turkish Adana kebab tarifi. Pair the juicy beef kebabs with tangy sumac onions and roll the kebab into a warm lavash.
Main Dishes
5. Chicken Kaleji
Country: Pakistan
Enjoy savory chicken kaleji with warm naan. It’s a delicious homestyle meal you can eat at home or prepare for special occasions like Eid. Try this Pakistani beef kaleji recipe next!
6. Aloo Keema
Country: Pakistan
Treat yourself to authentic, one-pot Pakistani aloo keema, a delicious combination of seasoned ground beef and tender potatoes sautéed in tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and a lot of spice.
Or make a similar recipe with lamb or goat, called aloo gosht.
7. Moroccan Meatballs
Country: Morocco
Moroccan Meatballs or kefta tagine are hand-rolled meatballs simmered in a sweet and savory date sauce.
8. Seekh Kabob Fry
Country: India and Pakistan
Seekh kabob fry is a ground beef dish that fries in a pan until it’s melt-in-your-mouth good. The versatile meal is a perfect Eid breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Photo Credit: Craving Zone
9. Bhuna Gosht
Country: Pakistan and India
Enjoy bhuna gosht made with mutton or lamb that slow cooks in a Dutch oven with whole ground spices and aromatics.
10. Saç Kavurma
Country: Turkey
Sac kavurma is a simple Turkish meal that’s brimming with sauteed lamb, vegetables, and spices. You only need about 30 minutes to prepare this easy and festive meal.
Complete the dish with warm lavash or pide bread, çoban salatasi, and tangy haydari.
Photo Credit: Give Recipe
11. Grilled Tandoori Chicken
Country: Pakistan and India
Grilled tandoori chicken has the vibrant reddish color you expect from restaurant-style tandoori chicken.
Coated in homemade tandoori masala, the bone-in chicken grills to smoky perfection for gatherings like Eid.
You can also bake tandoori chicken in the oven or make air fryer paneer.
12. Chicken Karahi
Country: Pakistan and India
Enjoy the restaurant-style flavor with this authentic, tomato-based chicken karahi. Or you can make the dish with goat or lamb using my karahi gosht recipe.
13. Chana Chicken
Country: Pakistan and India
Chana chicken is loaded with flavor and comes together in 40 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal or holiday side dish.
Make authentic chana masala for a meatless version.
14. Chicken Tikka Biryani
Country: Pakistan and India
Make delicious chicken tikka biryani, full of aromatic flavor, for your next gathering or a special family dinner. It combines two popular Indian dishes, chicken tikka and biryani, into one flavor-packed meal.
15. Mutton Biryani
Country: Pakistan and India
Mutton biryani is a beautifully spiced dish with fragrant layers of rice and juicy, tender mutton.
Photo Credit: Cubes N’ Juliennes
16. Boneless Leg of Lamb
Country: United States
No holiday meal is complete without a juicy, slow-roasted, boneless leg of lamb recipe.
Tender lamb cooks with potatoes and sweet carrots, creating a delicious one-pot meal perfect for any occasion.
17. Palak Gosht
Country: Pakistan and India
Prepare authentic palak gosht for a hearty dinner you can serve with freshly made chapati or boiled rice.
18. Nalli Nihari
Country: Pakistan and India
Make authentic nalli nihari by simmering lamb shanks with homemade nihari masala for a soothing comfort dish that’s perfect for special meals or cozy dinners at home.
For another variation, try nihari with tender cuts of beef shank.
19. Za’atar Turkey
Country: United States
Make Middle Eastern-inspired za’atar turkey to impress your guests! Rub a whole turkey with a delicious combination of za’atar, fresh lemon, garlic, and olive oil. Roast the bird until golden brown and pair it with buttery saffron rice or Shirazi salad to complete the meal.
Or you can try the Indian-inspired tandoori turkey.
Dessert
20. Indian Mango Lassi
Country: India and Pakistan
Indian mango lassi is made from fresh mango, yogurt, honey, and freshly ground cardamom.
21. Sheer Khurma
Country: Pakistan and India
Make this sweet sheer khurma recipe, a creamy milk porridge with dates, sugar, vermicelli noodles, almonds, and pistachios.
22. Muhalabieh
Country: Iran
Enjoy creamy Persian milk pudding, Muhalabieh, infused with rosewater and topped with crushed pistachios.
Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen
23. Halawet El Jibn
Country: Syria
Halawet el jibn is a Middle Eastern dessert. These sweet cheesy rolls are melt-in-your-mouth good, and perfect for any occasion, especially holidays like Eid!
Photo Credit: Sour and Sweet
24. E-I-D Letter Cream Cookie
Nothing is more festive than a dessert cookie that spells out Eid. Can you picture this as the centerpiece for your table? Adorable!
Photo Credit: Modest Munchies
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Eid celebrated twice a year?
• Eid-Al-Fitr, or small Eid, culminates at the end of Ramadan, a month-long time of fasting and prayer. Eid-Al-Fitr (also called sweet Eid) marks a time to celebrate the end of fasting.
• Eid-Al-Adha, or big Eid, honors the sacrifice the Prophet Ibrahim was willing to make before God intervened. For that reason, Eid-Al-Adha is often referred to as meat Eid since he sacrificed a ram in place of his son.
How do people celebrate Eid?
Devout followers offer prayer, and friends and family gather in homes. Gifts and money are exchanged, especially among the elders and children. Food is central to the celebration as people gather in homes or at the mosque to break bread with one another.