20 Delicious Global Meals with Recipes

Exploring world cuisines is a great way to experience different cultures without leaving home. From healthy Mediterranean dishes to hearty comfort foods, here are 20 meals from around the globe, complete with recipes and cost breakdowns!

Mediterranean Delights

1. Greek Salad (Greece)

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, cubed
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano

Instructions:

1. Combine cucumber, tomatoes, onion, feta, and olives in a large bowl.
2. Drizzle olive oil over the salad and sprinkle with oregano.
3. Toss gently and serve chilled.

Tip: For added freshness, chill the salad for 30 minutes before serving.

2. Pasta Primavera (Italy)

Ingredients:

• 8 oz whole wheat pasta
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1 minute.
3. Add bell pepper and zucchini, cooking until tender (5-7 minutes).
4. Toss the cooked vegetables with the pasta, top with parmesan, and serve.

Tip: Add a splash of lemon juice before serving for a bright, tangy flavor.

3. Ratatouille (France)

Ingredients:

• 1 eggplant, diced
• 2 zucchinis, diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, and tomatoes.
3. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for 20-25 minutes until vegetables are tender. Serve warm.

Tip: If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the vegetables together for a creamy ratatouille.

Nordic Specialties

4. Gravlax on Rye (Sweden)

Ingredients:

• 8 oz cured salmon
• 4 slices rye bread
• 2 tbsp mustard-dill sauce

Instructions:

1. Place the rye bread slices on plates.
2. Top each with a generous portion of gravlax.
3. Drizzle with mustard-dill sauce and serve as an open sandwich.

Tip: Serve with a side of pickled cucumbers or red onions for extra flavor.

5. Smørrebrød (Denmark)

Ingredients:

• 4 slices rye bread
• 2 tbsp butter
• Cold cuts (e.g., roast beef, ham, or turkey)
• Pickled vegetables (e.g., pickled cucumbers, onions)

Instructions:

1. Spread butter on each slice of rye bread.
2. Layer with cold cuts of your choice.
3. Top with pickled vegetables and serve.

Tip: For a classic Danish touch, add a boiled egg on top.

Classic British Comfort Foods

6. Shepherd’s Pie (UK)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1/2 cup peas
• 1 cup gravy

Instructions:

1. Boil the potatoes until tender, then mash with butter and milk.
2. Brown the ground lamb in a pan, then add carrot and peas.
3. Stir in the gravy and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Transfer to a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.

Tip: Add a layer of grated cheese on top of the mashed potatoes before baking for a golden, crispy crust.

7. Porridge with Berries (Scotland)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 cup mixed berries

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine oats and milk. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Sweeten with honey and top with fresh berries. Serve warm.

Tip: For a creamy texture, use half milk and half cream.

Middle Eastern Favorites

8. Hummus and Pita (Lebanon)

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 pita breads

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, blend chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice until smooth.
2. Warm the pita bread and cut into triangles.
3. Serve the hummus with pita bread for dipping.

Tip: Garnish with olive oil, paprika, and fresh parsley for extra flavor.

9. Kebab with Rice (Turkey)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground lamb or beef
• 2 cups rice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika

Instructions:

1. Cook the rice according to package instructions.
2. Mix the ground meat with garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Shape the mixture into kebabs and grill or pan-fry until cooked through.
4. Serve kebabs with rice on the side.

Tip: For extra juiciness, brush the kebabs with olive oil while grilling.

Flavorful Indian Dishes

10. Dal Tadka (North India)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lentils
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp turmeric

Instructions:

1. Cook the lentils until tender.
2. In a pan, heat oil and sauté garlic, onions, and tomatoes.
3. Add cumin and turmeric, then stir in the cooked lentils. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Serve with rice or flatbread.

Tip: For a smoky flavor, add a teaspoon of ghee or butter at the end.

11. Masala Dosa (South India)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rice batter
• 1 potato, mashed
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 6-7 curry leaves

Instructions:

1. Heat a non-stick skillet and pour a ladle of rice batter. Spread it thin.
2. In a pan, heat mustard seeds and curry leaves, then mix with mashed potatoes.
3. Fill the dosa with the potato mixture and fold it. Serve with chutneys.

Tip: Serve with coconut chutney and sambar for an authentic experience.

Asian Cuisine Staples

12. Stir-Fried Tofu with Vegetables (China)

Ingredients:

• 1 block tofu, cubed
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry tofu until golden. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pan, sauté garlic and ginger, then add broccoli and carrots.
3. Add soy sauce and tofu back in. Stir-fry for another 5 minutes.

Tip: Add a drizzle of sesame oil at the end for extra flavor.

13. Miso Soup with Seaweed and Tofu (Japan)

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp miso paste
• 1 block tofu, cubed
• 1/2 cup dried seaweed
• 2 scallions, sliced

Instructions:

1. Dissolve miso paste in 4 cups of water and bring to a simmer.
2. Add tofu and seaweed to the soup and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Garnish with scallions and serve.

Tip: Add a dash of soy sauce for an extra umami kick.

Southeast Asian Must-Try Meals

14. Pad Thai (Thailand)

Ingredients:

• 8 oz rice noodles
• 1 cup tofu or chicken, cubed
• 1/4 cup peanuts, crushed
• 1/2 cup bean sprouts
• 2 tbsp tamarind sauce

Instructions:

1. Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions.
2. Stir-fry tofu or chicken, then add noodles, tamarind sauce, and bean sprouts.
3. Top with crushed peanuts and serve.

Tip: For added spice, top with chili flakes or fresh cilantro.

15. Pho (Vietnam)

Ingredients:

• 8 oz rice noodles
• 1 lb beef or chicken, thinly sliced
• 4 cups broth
• Fresh basil
• Lime wedges

Instructions:

1. Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions.
2. Bring the broth to a boil and add the sliced meat, cooking until tender.
3. Serve the broth and meat over noodles, garnished with fresh basil and lime wedges.

Tip: Add a sprinkle of hoisin sauce for extra depth of flavor.

Latin American Flavors

16. Chicken Tacos (Mexico)

Ingredients:

• 4 corn tortillas
• 1 lb grilled chicken, shredded
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/2 cup salsa

Instructions:

1. Warm the corn tortillas.
2. Fill each tortilla with shredded chicken, avocado, and salsa.
3. Serve immediately.

Tip: Top with a squeeze of lime for a refreshing finish.

17. Feijoada (Brazil)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups black beans, cooked
• 1 lb pork, cubed
• 2 cups rice
• Orange slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook rice according to package instructions.
2. Simmer black beans and pork together until tender.
3. Serve with rice and garnish with orange slices.

Tip: Feijoada tastes even better the next day, so make extra!

African Culinary Gems

18. Injera with Lentils (Ethiopia)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup teff flour
• 2 cups lentils, cooked
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp berbere spice

Instructions:

1. Make injera by mixing teff flour with water and fermenting for 24 hours.
2. Prepare lentils with onions, garlic, and berbere spice.
3. Serve the lentils on top of injera.

Tip: For a spicier version, add more berbere spice or chili peppers.

19. Chicken Tagine (Morocco)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken, thighs or breasts
• 1 cup chickpeas, cooked
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cumin

Instructions:

1. Brown the chicken in a tagine or pot.
2. Add chickpeas, tomatoes, cinnamon, cumin, and cook for 20-25 minutes.
3. Serve with couscous or bread.

Tip: Add dried apricots or raisins for a sweet contrast.

Caribbean Specialties

20. Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas (Jamaica)

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers, chopped
• 2 tbsp thyme
• 1 tsp allspice
• 2 cups rice
• 1 cup kidney beans

Instructions:

1. Marinate chicken with scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, allspice, and salt for at least 2 hours.
2. Grill or bake the chicken.
3. Cook rice with kidney beans and serve with the jerk chicken.

Tip: For a smoky flavor, cook the chicken on a grill or over charcoal.

Explore the World Through Food!

These 20 global dishes offer a perfect mix of affordability, nutrition, and indulgence. Try them at home for an exciting culinary journey and experience the tastes of different cultures. Which dish will you make first? Let us know in the comments!