International Dinner Ideas

There is something about getting out of your comfort zone, especially when trying delicious food. We’ve gathered inspiration from all over the world to bring you our family-favorite international dinner ideas, and this list includes many of the top 10 international dishes; can you guess which ones they are?

Austria

1. Rindsgulasch

Thick cuts of beef simmer to perfection in a rich and flavorful gravy infused with hot and sweet paprika and peppery caraway to make rindsgulasch. Finish the meal with butter-infused egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or mashed cauliflower for the ultimate comfort meal.

Columbia

2. Sudado De Pollo

Juicy chicken and fork-tender potatoes stew in a fragrant, tomato-based broth to make sudado de pollo; the soothing Colombian chicken stew simmers on low heat for 30 minutes!

Cuba

3. Beef Picadillo

Enjoy our take on classic Cuban beef picadillo. Simmer seasoned ground beef, hearty potatoes, and salty olives in a rich, tomato-based sauce. Picadillo takes 40 minutes to make, and it’s a great addition to casseroles, soup, or filling for pastries like empanadas. 

For another variation of the meal, try Mexican picadillo con papas.

4. Boliche

Experience the flavors of Cuba with our boliche mechado, a savory pot roast stuffed with chorizo and slow-braised in sofrito and red wine; the traditional dish cooks to perfection in the oven, allowing the chorizo’s flavorful fat to infuse the beef.

5. Ropa Vieja

Tender, juicy Cuban-style shredded beef stews in a tomato and sofrito base flavored with warm spices and salty green olives to make Instant Pot ropa vieja. Complete the meal with piping hot rice and frijoles negros.

Similar in appearance, my recipe for Venezuelan carne mechada is just as delicious.

Gambia

6. Domoda

Domoda is a hearty and nutritious West African peanut stew with layers of flavor; the sweet and spicy stew is loaded with savory goodness.

Germany

7. German Stuffed Savoy Cabbage Rolls

Traditional German stuffed savoy cabbage rolls are filled with flavorful minced meat and topped with a comforting white sauce and boiled potatoes.

Georgia

8. Chikhirtma

Cozy up with a piping hot bowl of chikhirtma – our Georgian chicken soup combines tart lemon, tangy dill, and creamy egg yolks to create a velvety, smooth broth to complement the chicken and vegetables.

While you’re thinking about soup, try beef and barley soup and our zuppa toscana Instant Pot copycat!

Greece

9. Greek Gyros

Homemade Greek gyros are easy to make at home! Pile them high with gyro meat and all the fixings like lettuce, fresh tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, tzatziki sauce, and toum.

10. Greek Spaghetti

Quick Greek spaghetti is a flavorful dish ready in less than 30 minutes and cooked in one pot, a pasta recipe the whole family will love.

Guatamala

11. Pepián de Pollo

This velvety chicken stew is the ultimate Guatemalan comfort food! Often considered the national dish of Guatemala, pepián de pollo features tender chicken pieces in a lightly-spiced tomato, toasted pumpkin seed and chile sauce.

Hungary

12. Hungarian Goulash

Traditional ingredients like thick chunks of beef stew meat, bell peppers, chopped carrots, thick-cut potatoes, and tomatoes are the highlights of this slow cooker Hungarian goulash recipe.

13. Hungarian Stuffed Peppers

Hungarian stuffed peppers (töltött paprika) are easy to make and full of flavor!

India

14. Authentic Chana Masala Recipe

Our authentic chana masala recipe takes 40 minutes to make; serve the chickpea dish as a stand-alone meal or as a tasty side.

15. Butter Chicken Masala

Tender pieces of chicken cook in a robust, fragrant, and creamy curry to make flavorful restaurant-style butter chicken masala made right at home.

16. Grilled Tandoori Chicken

Grilled tandoori chicken is tender and juicy on the inside while maintaining a nice char on the outside, and it has all the eye-catching colors you expect from restaurant-style tandoori chicken.

Ours is coated in a homemade tandoori marinade and cooked on the grill to smoky perfection, or you can bake tandoori chicken in the oven.

And if you’re wondering what to serve with tandoori chicken we’ve collected an incredible list of side dishes to go along with it.

17. Masoor Dal

Fennel, coriander, turmeric, and mustard add flavor to our Instant Pot masoor dal. Lentils combine with creamy coconut, spinach, and lime juice for a protein-rich meal that’s ready and on your table in 30 minutes! We serve ours with vegetable pakora and basmati rice.

Try our moong dal Instant Pot recipe next!

18. Authentic Goan Chicken Vindaloo

Make Goan chicken vindaloo in the pressure cooker or Instant Pot! Enjoy this dairy-free and gluten-free chicken curry with rice or naan for a satisfying dinner!

Indonesia

19. Ayam Serundeng

Indonesian ayam serundeng is a fragrant fried chicken is dusted in crispy, crunchy deep fried coconut.

Italy

22. Baked Chicken Thighs in Salmoriglio Sauce

Juicy baked chicken thighs are a must-have in your dinner rotation, and our oven-baked take on chicken salmoriglio, gets its name from the simple sauce it cooks with.

23. Italian Sausage Gnocchi Bake

Easy Italian sausage gnocchi bake is a perfect, veggie-filled meal for busy weeknights! Lots of fresh veggies bake with Italian sausage, herbs and spices, and fresh gnocchi. You can mix and match the veggies and bake this on a sheet pan for an easy, no-fuss dinner everyone will love!

24. Pasta al Limone

Pasta al limone is a classic Italian dish with the creamiest lemon sauce! The authentic southern Italian pasta sauce is cheesy, buttery, tangy, and super creamy; it comes together in one pan for a quick and delicious meal ready in 10 minutes – plus it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

25. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

Gnocchi alla sorrentina, also known as gnocchi al forno, are cheesy baked potato dumplings that are the ultimate Italian comfort food!

Ivory Coast

26. Kedjenou

Kedjenou poulet is a mouth-watering chicken stew from West Africa that’s bursting with flavor. Much like sudado de pollo, the stew is left untouched, allowing the meat to slowly braise in its own juices with a blend of aromatic spices and fresh vegetables.

Jamaica

27. Jamaican Chicken Fricassee

Jerk-seasoned chicken thighs brown and simmer with vegetables, spices, and herbs to make our classic Jamaican chicken fricassee recipe; the result is juicy chicken thighs served in a flavorful thickened gravy.

28. Roasted Jerk Chicken

With easy-to-follow instructions, oven roasted jerk chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and it cooks in under an hour.

For more jerk flavor, try our jerk shrimp tacos or prepare chicken or fish with jerk seasoning!

Korea

30. Tteokbokki

Tasty Korean tteokbokki is an easy comfort meal made with spicy rice cakes simmered in an umami-rich sauce made of gochujang and gochugaru; this recipe comes together in 30 minutes!

Try our cheesy tteokbokki for a delicious variation.

31. Kimchi Jjigae

Marked by a deep, red broth, our vegetarian kimchi jjigae is spicy and full of flavor! Thick cuts of firm tofu absorb the gochujang, gochugaru, and an umami-rich broth.

32. Kimchi Bokkeumbap

Kimchi bokkeumbap, or Korean fried rice with kimchi, is so easy and delicious, it’s often whipped up as a hangover meal in a Korean household and can be made perfectly the first time. Plus, it’s done in 15 minutes if you have leftover rice around!

Mexico

33. Carnitas

Fill a warm corn tortilla with our deliciously flavored pork shoulder and top it with fresh cilantro and red onion for restaurant-style Instant Pot carnitas street tacos you can make in the comfort of your own home.

34. Pozole Rojo

Instant Pot pozole rojo is a rich Mexican stew made from tender pork, hominy, and a savory chili-based broth. Our easy-to-make recipe will have you serving the classic dish in no time. Sear the pork shoulder, prepare your chilies, and combine them with broth, hominy, aromatics, and seasonings. Then, sit back and let the Instant Pot do all the hard work before you pile your bowl high with toppings.

35. Carne Deshebrada 

This amazingly tender and flavorful carne deshebrada recipe is perfect for tacos, burritos, and more! The shredded beef comes out so juicy and so delicious.

Or you can try the delicious Venezuelan version, carne mechada!

36. Birria con Consome

Instant Pot beef birria con consome is a flavorful dish made up of tender shredded beef, rich broth, and aromatic spices. Serve the Mexican stew with consomé with warm corn tortillas, diced onions, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Birria Con Consome

Morocco

37. Beef and Chickpea Stew

Beef and chickpea stew is protein-rich and layered with warm spices to capture the savory taste of Morocco. Fragrant spices highlight the hearty beef, chickpeas, and carrots.

38. Moroccan Meatballs

Everyone needs a go-to meatball recipe, and these Moroccan meatballs or kefta are mine! Warmly spiced meatballs simmer in a tomato-based sauce flavored with onion, garlic, ginger, and dates. 

39. Zaalouk

A few simple ingredients are all you need to make zaalouk, a simple Moroccan-style cooked salad made from roasted eggplant, fresh tomato, and warm spices. We love eggplant in our home, and like our Yuxiang eggplant, this recipe comes together quickly and has complex and irresistible flavor! This salad is often served with bread and can be eaten hot or cold.

Palestine

40. Musakhan

Musakhan (sumac roasted chicken) is the national dish of Palestine and a true comfort dish. Juicy slow-cooked chicken is flavored with lemony sumac, smothered in soft onions, and topped with crunchy pine nuts.

Pakistan

41. Aloo Keema

Treat yourself to authentic, one-pot Pakistani aloo keema, a delicious combination of seasoned ground beef and tender potatoes sautéed in a rich blend of tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and lots of spice. I serve the easy, homestyle meal with naan, roti, or basmati rice.

Like aloo keema, homestyle aloo gosht is a classic Pakistani comfort meal that keeps you coming back for more. Succulent mutton and fork-tender potatoes simmer in a rich, aromatic curry, so it tastes just like traditional aloo gosht should. 

42. Karahi Gosht

Pakistani karahi gosht boasts a thick, flavorful tomato-based curry made from fresh tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and green chilies. While modern recipes include onion or yogurt, we stick to the basics with our take on the Pakistani classic.  You can also make chicken karahi!

43. Chicken Biryani

Treat yourself to mouth-watering biryani without setting aside most of your day to make it; our quick Instant Pot chicken biryani cooks in one hour and combines chicken, long-grained basmati rice, caramelized onion, and warm spices! 

44. Nihari

Enjoy this slow-simmered stew made with succulent beef shanks and marrow bones spiced with homemade nihari masala. The ghee separates as it cooks, resulting in silky and mouthwatering nihari. We pair ours with fresh naan to complete the meal.

Like Pakistani beef paya soup, this dish is filling and perfect for the cool winter months. Try my recipe for nalli nihari with bone marrow for another variation.

Nihari

Portugal

45. Caldo Verde

Caldo verde is a traditional Portuguese soup made with kale, potatoes, and a little chouriço on top. It’s a classic comfort food that makes a delicious weeknight dinner.

Sichuan

46. Chongqing Chicken

Chongqing chicken or Chongqing laziji combines shallow-fried chicken with fragrant dried chilies and mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorns, resulting in irresistibly juicy and flavorful chicken.

Spain

47. Paella Valenciana

Paella may be one of the most popular rice recipes coming from Spain. And Paella Valenciana is one of the most popular variations! This one pot paella recipe is brought together with a wonderfully hearty mix of chicken and seafood.

Sweden

48. IKEA Swedish Meatballs Recipe

IKEA Swedish meatballs recipe features hand-mixed meatballs and a béchamel sauce flavored with beef broth, fresh parsley, dried dill, and Worcestershire. Technically originating from Turkey, Swedish families made the meal their own by serving it with traditional sides like lingonberry jam and pressgurka.

However, if you’re still deciding what to serve with Swedish meatballs, complete the meal with one of these tasty sides.

Thailand

49. Shrimp Panang Curry

Creamy, tangy, and sweet, our shrimp panang curry pairs with perfectly steamed jasmine rice for a tasty, easy-to-make weeknight meal!

50. Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

This classic Thai pineapple fried rice includes succulent shrimp, juicy pineapple, plump raisins, and fragrant curry powder! It will satisfy your craving for takeout at a fraction of the price.

51. Thai Green Curry

Vegan Thai green curry is a fragrant and flavorful one-pan dish that is crammed with wholesome vegetables and tofu simmered in a rich and creamy green sauce! 

Turkey

52. Piyaz

Fasulye piyaz combines simple ingredients for an easy make-ahead salad you can prepare in advance and easily adjust to your taste.

Serve piyaz as a healthy main course or side dish. You can also include it in a meze platter with other small plates like skhug, butter bean hummus, köfte, and çoban salatasi.

53. Tantuni

Tantuni is a famous Turkish street food comprised of thinly sliced lamb, ripe tomatoes, and bright sumac onions; serve the wrap on warm lavash for comfort food perfection.

54. Stuffed Eggplant Karnıyarık

Turkish stuffed eggplant karnıyarık is a fantastic healthy dinner. These are ground beef stuffed eggplants packed with flavors, and very easy to make. Plus, they are freezer-friendly!

Karnıyarık

Ukraine

55. Borscht

Borscht is loaded with veggies and flavor. The striking red color is achieved with beets, which not only make this dish gorgeous, but also loaded with nutrition!

Vietnam

56. Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken 

One pan, Vietnamese lemongrass chicken cooks in a sticky-sweet base of coconut water, caramelized shallots, lemongrass, and ginger; garnish with fresh cilantro and serrano chilies to complement the sweet and delicious chicken recipe.

We serve ours with fresh rice and nuac cham for a meal that’s ready and on your table in 45 minutes!

57. Crock Pot Chicken Pho

With your slow cooker, you can make your own Vietnamese noodle soup! Crock pot chicken pho is a take on this classic with an incredibly flavorful broth but with bok choy.

Frequently Asked Questions

International Dinner Sides

• Air Fried Plantains
• Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Basmati Rice
• Irish Soda Bread without Buttermilk
• Jamaican Rice and Peas
• Kelewele
• Keto Yorkshire Puddings
• Pad Pak
• Vegan Mexican Rice
• Yuxiang Eggplant
• Pao De Sal
• Kachumber Salad

More International Dinner Ideas

If you’re still looking for inspiration, we’ve got you covered with a more of our easy international dinner recipes. So why not take your taste buds on a journey around the world and try something new tonight?

• Korean Low Carb Ramen
• Chicken Lollipop
• Yakhni
• Thai Yellow Chicken Curry
• Yakhni Pulao
• Chili Con Carne with Beans
• Carne Asada Tacos
• Instant Pot Arroz Caldo