It never hurts to expand your culinary horizon every once in a while, which is the reason we are sharing the most scrumptious Persian recipes.
Our list of Persian recipes is all about versatile textures, different temperatures, and well balanced flavors.
What we love about these recipes is that they have a balance of sour, salty, and sweet flavors, so you can enjoy the authentic flavors.
We really believe that the combination of different ingredients and components will help create a harmonious meal at the end of the day!
Chelo Kebab
Chelo Kebab is a quintessential Persian dish that combines succulent pieces of grilled meat, typically lamb or chicken, with fragrant saffron infused rice.
The rice is often cooked to perfection, resulting in a crispy, golden crust known as “tahdig.”
Chelo Kebab is usually served with grilled tomatoes, sumac, and sometimes a side of yogurt or fresh herbs.
The harmony of tender meat, aromatic saffron, and fluffy rice makes Chelo Kebab a beloved choice among both locals and visitors.
Ghormeh Sabzi
Ghormeh Sabzi is a hearty herb stew that showcases the richness of Persian flavors.
This dish is prepared by simmering slow cooked pieces of beef or lamb with a mix of fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, fenugreek, and leeks.
Dried limes and kidney beans are also added, infusing the stew with a distinct tangy and earthy taste.
Ghormeh Sabzi is often enjoyed with fragrant saffron rice and provides a delightful balance of textures and flavors.
Zereshk Polo
Zereshk Polo is a delightful combination of saffron-infused rice, tender pieces of chicken and tangy barberries.
The vibrant red barberries add a burst of color and a tart-sweet flavor to the dish.
The chicken is often marinated in yogurt and saffron before being layered atop the rice.
The result is a visually stunning and deliciously harmonious plate that embodies the essence of Persian cuisine.
Fesenjan
Fesenjan is a sumptuous Persian stew that celebrates the richness of pomegranates and walnuts.
The star of the show is the velvety sauce made from ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses, creating a luscious blend of nutty and tangy flavors.
The slow-cooked meat absorbs the depth of these flavors, resulting in a dish that’s both savory and slightly sweet.
Fesenjan is often served with rice, providing a satisfying contrast in taste and texture. The dish is typically prepared with either chicken or duck.
Ash Reshteh
Ash Reshteh is a nourishing and comforting Persian noodle and bean soup. It features a medley of fresh herbs, beans, lentils, and reshteh (Persian noodles).
The hearty mixture is slow cooked to allow the flavors to meld together, creating a satisfying and nutritious meal.
This dish is often garnished with yogurt, caramelized onions, and mint oil, adding layers of complexity to the taste.
Ash Reshteh is not only a culinary delight but also a symbol of unity and celebration in Persian culture, often enjoyed during festive occasions.
Khoresh Bademjan
Khoresh Bademjan is a rich and flavorful Persian stew centered on eggplant and tomatoes.
Tender pieces of beef or lamb are slow-cooked with eggplant, creating a melt in your mouth texture.
The dish is then enriched with a tomato-based sauce infused with spices like turmeric, saffron, and cinnamon.
Khoresh Bademjan’s savory aroma and combination of textures make it a beloved comfort food in Persian households.
Joojeh Kebab
Joojeh Kebab is a delightful dish featuring marinated and grilled saffron infused chicken skewers.
The chicken is usually marinated in a mixture of yogurt, saffron, lemon juice, and spices, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.
The skewers are grilled to perfection, often accompanied by grilled vegetables and fragrant rice.
Joojeh Kebab offers a lighter alternative to the traditional meat kebabs and is known for its aromatic and succulent taste.
Baghali Polo
Baghali Polo is a classic Persian rice dish that combines fragrant basmati rice with dill and lima beans.
The rice is often steamed with dill and saffron, creating an enticing aroma and a vibrant green hue.
Tender lima beans are gently mixed into the rice, contributing a delightful pop of texture and flavor.
Baghali Polo is commonly served with lamb, chicken, or other protein sources, creating a well-balanced and visually appealing meal.
Tahchin
Tahchin is a unique Persian dish that resembles a rice cake with a crunchy exterior layer.
It’s made by layering marinated pieces of chicken or lamb between saffron infused rice mixed with yogurt and eggs.
The dish is then baked, allowing the rice to develop a golden crust known as “tahdig.”
Once flipped and served, Tahchin reveals a tender and flavorful interior with a satisfying contrast of textures.
Mirza Ghasemi
Mirza Ghasemi is a smoky and savory dip made from roasted eggplants, tomatoes, garlic, and spices.
The ingredients are usually cooked over an open flame or grilled, infusing the dip with a distinctive smoky flavor.
Once cooked, the ingredients are blended together, creating a creamy and flavorful dip.
Mirza Ghasemi is often enjoyed with warm bread and fresh herbs, making it a popular appetizer or side dish in Persian cuisine.
Gheimeh
Gheimeh is a hearty Persian stew that combines tender chunks of meat (often beef or lamb) with split yellow peas and tomatoes.
The dish is flavored with a blend of spices such as turmeric and cinnamon, creating a savory and aromatic profile.
Gheimeh is often garnished with crispy fried potato sticks and is typically served with fluffy saffron rice, creating a satisfying balance of textures and flavors.
Aushak
Aushak are delicate Afghan-style dumplings that have also become popular in Persian cuisine.
These dumplings are filled with a mixture of spiced ground meat (often lamb) and leeks.
They are folded and pinched into small pouches, then boiled until tender.
Aushak is traditionally served with a tangy tomato sauce and a drizzle of garlic infused yogurt, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
Kotlet
Kotlet is a beloved Persian dish that features ground meat.
It is often a combination of beef and potatoes formed into patties, coated in breadcrumbs, and then pan fried until golden and crispy.
The result is a satisfying blend of textures, with a crispy exterior giving way to a flavorful and tender interior.
Kotlet is commonly served with rice, flatbread, or as a filling for sandwiches.
Shirin Polo
Shirin Polo, also known as “Sweet Rice,” is a festive Persian dish.
This dish combines aromatic saffron rice with a medley of candied orange peel, slivered almonds, and pistachios.
The combination of different yet unique ingredients creates a visually stunning and indulgent rice dish.
In most cases, it is often served during special occasions and celebrations.
Abgoosht
Abgoosht, also known as “Dizi,” is a traditional Persian stew that dates back centuries.
It’s made by slow-cooking tender pieces of meat (lamb or beef) along with beans, chickpeas, and a medley of vegetables.
The ingredients are cooked until they become incredibly tender, and the dish is often served in two parts: the broth and the solid components.
To enjoy Abgoosht, you mash the solid ingredients together and mix them with the flavorful broth, creating a hearty and comforting meal.
Mast-o-Khiar
Mast-o-Khiar is a refreshing Persian yogurt and cucumber dip that’s perfect for hot days.
It’s made by combining yogurt, grated cucumbers, dried mint, and sometimes chopped herbs like dill or parsley.
The result is a cooling and tangy dip that pairs well with grilled meats. In addition, you can use it with rice dishes or simply as a dip for bread.
Nan-e Barbari
Nan-e Barbari is a traditional Persian flatbread that’s known for its elongated shape and slightly chewy texture.
The bread is typically adorned with sesame seeds and often baked on a stone oven, giving it a distinct flavor and appearance.
Nan-e Barbari is commonly enjoyed for breakfast with feta cheese, herbs, and sometimes jam, making it a versatile staple in Persian cuisine.
Halim
Halim is a wholesome Persian porridge made from a combination of wheat, meat (often chicken or beef), and lentils.
The ingredients are slow-cooked until they break down and meld together, resulting in a creamy and nourishing dish.
Halim is flavored with cinnamon and cardamom, and it’s often garnished with caramelized onions, butter, and sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar.
Morasa Polo
Morasa Polo, meaning “jeweled rice,” is a dazzling Persian dish that features a bed of fluffy saffron rice.
It is adorned with a colorful array of nuts, dried fruits, and sometimes saffron-infused sugar crystals.
The mixture of slivered almonds, pistachios, barberries, and orange zest creates a visually stunning and flavor-packed rice dish.
Sheer Khurma
Sheer Khurma is a decadent Persian dessert that translates to “milk with dates.”
It’s a vermicelli pudding made by simmering vermicelli noodles in milk until they become soft and creamy.
The dish is enriched with chopped dates, nuts, and sometimes dried fruits like raisins.
Sheer Khurma is often enjoyed during Eid festivities and other special occasions, symbolizing sweetness and togetherness.
Final Thoughts
When it comes down to the Persian recipes, it’s evident that rice is an important part, and you cannot really think of a complete Persian meal without it.
In addition, the Persian recipes use an abundance of dried fruits, fresh spices, and herbs, which helps add a lot of zing to your plate.
We don’t mind saying that these recipes will make you want to visit Persian countries and try their local food.
So, ranging from desserts to main courses and appetizers, this list has everything you need to put yummy food on the table.
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