57 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?

INTERNATIONAL DINNER IDEAS
Are you looking for international dinner ideas to spice up your mealtime routine or entertain guests? Join us in making dinner around the world without leaving the kitchen.
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.
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.
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!
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!
21. Joojeh Kabob
Spice up your grilling game with joojeh kabob – a tasty Persian chicken kabob known for succulent pieces of saffron-spiced boneless chicken breast flavored with fresh onion, salt, and pepper that’s grilled to perfection over an open flame.
Try it with saffron rice and Shirazi salad.
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. Vegan 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.
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.
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.
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. Instant Pot 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.
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.
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.
PAKISTAN
41. Aloo Keema
Our one-pot, homestyle aloo keema is a made with ground beef and potatoes sautéed in tomato, onion, garlic, ginger, and warm spices. We serve ours 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.
43. Instant Pot 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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the most popular international food?
It’s hard to determine the most popular international food since it varies depending on region, culture, and personal preference. However, some food is globally treasured, like pizza, sushi, pasta, and tacos. Many international cuisines have gained widespread popularity due to their convenience and accessibility; Chinese takeout, Indian curry, and Thai stir-fry are a few examples.
What are the best dinners in the world?
This question comes up a lot, and it’s a matter of preference. However, there is no denying that there are countless international recipes many would consider some of the most beloved dinners in the world.
1. Italian: Spaghetti Carbonara, Lasagna (try our zucchini lasagna), Linguine with Clams
2. French: Coq Au Vin, Beef Bourguignon, Ratatouille
3. Japanese: Sushi, Ramen, Katsu Curry
4. Indian: Chicken Tikka masala, butter chicken masala, biryani
5. Thai: Green Curry, Pad Thai, Tom Yum Soup
6. Mexican: tacos, Enchiladas, Fajitas
7. Spanish: Paella, Tapas, Tortilla de Patatas
8. Greek: Moussaka, Souvlaki, Gyros
9. Middle Eastern: Shawarma, Kabobs, Falafel
10. Chinese: Kung Pao, Dim Sum, Dumplings, and fried rice
What is an international dish?
An international dish is a type of food that is popular across different cultures and countries around the world.
International dishes often have a diverse range of ingredients and flavors that reflect the unique cultural traditions and cuisines of their origin.
Some examples of international dishes include pizza, sushi, tacos, curry, stir-fry, and pasta.
SIDES FOR INTERNATIONAL DINNER IDEAS
- 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
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 Curry with Chicken
- Yakhni Pulao
- Chili Con Carne with Beans
- Chicken Karahi
Did you enjoy this article? Feedback helps us improve and update our recipes and articles. Would you consider leaving a comment below?
Christy
Tuesday 12th of September 2023
That Italian Sausage Gnocchi Bake is going on my dinner rotation this week. Thanks for the inspiration!
Tressa Jamil
Wednesday 13th of September 2023
Doesn't that look delicious??
Karina
Tuesday 12th of September 2023
This post is a gold mine. So many fun recipes to try. Only problem is I don't know which one I want to make first.
Tressa Jamil
Tuesday 12th of September 2023
I say start with one and work your way through!
Tiffany
Tuesday 12th of September 2023
Saving this list for later! Everything looks so delicious :)
Tressa Jamil
Tuesday 12th of September 2023
Be sure and come back and let us know what you've made.
Deepti
Tuesday 12th of September 2023
This is such an amazing collection! so many wonderful ideas for the dinner! I guess I am going to try Indian Chole recipe today!
Tressa Jamil
Tuesday 12th of September 2023
Yes, chole is one of our favorites; my father in law requests it all the time.
Braghan
Monday 11th of September 2023
So many good ideas! I love to try new recipes so I can’t wait to add these to my weekly menu!
Tressa Jamil
Tuesday 12th of September 2023
I can't wait to hear what you decide to make.