Summer cookouts just got a serious upgrade. Whether you're hosting a backyard party or bringing a dish to share, these Mediterranean cookout side dishes are fresh, flavorful, and guaranteed to disappear fast. From creamy dips and herby salads to crispy potatoes and juicy grilled shrimp, every single one of these recipes is easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for a crowd.
1
Pearl Couscous Tabbouleh
This pearl couscous tabbouleh takes everything you love about the classic Levantine salad and swaps the traditional bulgur wheat for pearled couscous, giving you the same bright, herby, lemony flavors with a heartier, chewier bite that turns a side dish into something you actually want to eat a second bowl of
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2
Smoky Hasselback Potatoes (Air Fryer)
These Smoky Hasselback Potatoes are so delicious! Mini Yukon Gold potatoes sliced accordion-style, massaged in a smoky Spanish paprika and sherry vinegar sauce that gets into every single crevice, air fried until the edges are crispy and the insides are buttery, then finished with a warm garlic and parsley oil. This is the appetizer that disappears before you can put the platter down!
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3
Hummus Crunch Salad
Let's be honest -- This Hummus Crunch Salad did not have to go this hard. But here we are and it is a WINNER! Crispy za'atar breadcrumbs, creamy hummus dressing, chickpeas, briny olives, kale and romaine that actually holds up, and a dressing so good you will want to put it on everything in your fridge. Ready in 15 minutes and zero cooking required. (Yes, really.)
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4
Grilled Shrimp with Basil Lemon Sauce
If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful, and healthy seafood dish, this grilled shrimp with basil lemon sauce is a must-try! Juicy, smoky shrimp are perfectly seasoned and paired with a bright, herby basil sauce, making this the perfect dish for summer grilling, weeknight dinners, or meal prep. Best of all, it comes together in under 20 minutes with simple ingredients you probably already have!
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5
Creamy Garlic Hummus
This creamy garlic hummus is one of those foundational recipes I make on repeat. It’s simple, fast, and quietly powerful - the kind of thing that turns a plate of vegetables, grilled meat, or warm pita into a full meal. Smooth, lemony, garlicky (but not harsh), and perfectly balanced, this is the hummus I always want in the fridge.
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6
Mediterranean Baked Wings
These Mediterranean baked wings are what I make when I want wings that feel bold and flavorful without going anywhere near a fryer. They’re crispy thanks to a simple oven trick, tossed in a lemony, garlicky sauce that literally sizzles when it hits the wings, and finished with a creamy feta dip that you’ll want to put on everything.
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7
Spanakopita Dip
This Spanakopita Dip is what happens when you take all the best bits of Greek spanakopita, like spinach, garlic, feta, herbs, and ditch the fussy folding and pastry origami. It’s creamy, herby, salty in all the right ways, and baked until golden and bubbly. Then scoop it with crispy phyllo chips (which take 10 minutes in the oven and taste like spanakopita’s crunchy top layer had a glow-up).
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8
Lebanese Vermicelli Rice
If there’s one side dish that makes regular appearances at Lebanese dinner tables, it’s this Lebanese Vermicelli Rice. Fluffy basmati rice with golden, toasty vermicelli noodles. It’s simple, cozy, and basically the Middle Eastern equivalent of a hug on a plate.
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