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    Home » Recipes » Persian

    31+ Traditional Persian Recipes

    Published: Jan 12, 2023 Modified: Jan 12, 2023 by Candice

    Collage of Persian dishes including kabob, breads, drinks, rice dishes, and dessert.

    This is the ultimate guide to the best traditional Persian recipes. Plus, an introduction to the spices and flavor combinations that define Persian cooking. I want to help you successfully cook and enjoy the incredible flavors of classic Persian cuisine!

    Can't find what you're looking for? Browse the latest Persian food & recipes here.

    Collage of Persian dishes including kabob, breads, drinks, rice dishes, and dessert.
    TABLE OF CONTENTS hide
    1 An introduction to Persian cuisine
    2 Rice dishes
    3 Kabob
    4 Desserts
    5 Breakfast
    6 Stews & soups
    7 Persian Tea & Drinks
    8 Become a Pro in Persian Cooking!

    An introduction to Persian cuisine

    Persian cuisine is all about balance. Every dish is designed to contain a balance of flavors that complement one another – you will see meat, fruit, dried herbs, and nuts combined in unique ways. The dishes are well-flavored and spiced, but not 'spicy'.

    Some ingredients are staples in a Persian pantry, like dried limes, saffron, rice, pomegranate molasses, and Persian 7 spice, called Advieh. If you're looking to stock up on these, I recommend checking out your local Middle Eastern market. The prices will be much less expensive there than buying them online.

    Garm and sard in Persian cooking

    We have a concept in Persian cooking that some foods are warming (garmi) and others are cooling (sardi). These categories don't necessarily refer to the flavor or the spice level of the food, but rather the essence.

    The idea is that too much of either would trigger a negative reaction from our bodies. The goal is to eat Garm and Sard foods in balanced proportions to create harmony in the body. You see this harmony thoughtfully created in many Persian dishes.

    Listen to Modern Persian Podcast interviewing me about Garm & Sard here!

    A tradition of entertaining

    Showing love for others through food is an important part of Persian culture, and there's always too much amazing food at a Persian dinner party! Entertaining others in your home and showing your appreciation and hospitality through food is a valued tradition.

    Persian Jewish vs non-Jewish recipes

    Some Persian recipes look very different in Jewish and non-Jewish homes. This is because many Jewish people keep a kosher diet, so they cannot eat dairy products (such as yogurt or butter) and meat in the same dish.

    Kosher doesn’t have to mean dairy-free, but it’s often helpful to have recipes where the dairy is already removed. Many traditional Persian recipes have dairy in them, such as rice made with butter or yogurt, and kosher households often substitute oil for butter.

    Rice dishes

    Persian rice dishes are beautiful, complex, layered dishes that are a staple at every meal. I always recommend starting by making Persian rice with saffron, as it's a fundamental dish served in every Persian home.

    1.

    Persian Rice with Saffron
    This rice is the perfect accompaniment for my favorite classic Persian stews. The trick is to first boil until al dente, then steam to get the perfect fluffed texture.
    Check out this recipe

    2.

    Adas Polo - Persian Lentil Rice
    Adas polo is a layered saffron rice dish with rice, lentils, and sweet currants. It's a pairs perfectly with meats like beef and lamb, or is enjoyed alone with a dollop of yogurt.
    Check out this recipe
    Yellow rice with lentils and currants in serving dish with gold spoons.

    3.

    Baghali Polo - Persian Dill Rice
    Baghali Polow is a dill rice made with fava beans, broad beans, or lima beans. I make this recipe with frozen lima beans and dried dill, so it's easy to cook all year long. The dried dill packs a flavor punch!
    Check out this recipe
    Green rice with lima beans.

    4.

    Shirin Polo aka Morasa or Javaher Polo
    Shirin Polo is an extra-special jeweled rice, usually served at weddings to bring sweetness to the newly-wed couple. It's a sweet rice pilaf with dried fruit, nuts, and candied orange peel.
    Check out this recipe
    Rice pilaf with gold serving spoons.

    5.

    Albaloo Polo bah Morg - Sour Cherry Rice with Chicken
    This sour cherry rice dish is made with pistachios, slivered almonds, and succulent chicken. It's my favorite thing to make when sour cherries are in season!
    Check out this recipe
    Rice with cherries and nuts on a white serving platter with gold serving spoons.

    Kabob

    These are the most popular dishes ordered in Persian restaurants, and for good reason. Persian kabobs are tender, juicy, and arguably the most flavorful meat you will ever try.

    6.

    Joojeh Kabob (Persian Chicken Kabob)
    Joojeh Kabob is marinated in saffron, grated onion, lemon, and garlic, and cooked on a charcoal grill, but you can also cook it in your oven under the broiler. The chargrilled taste is phenomenal.
    Check out this recipe
    Chicken kabobs on metal skewers.

    7.

    Koobideh – Ground Lamb or Beef Kabobs
    Mastering koobideh takes time, but it's 100% worth it because these Persian ground lamb or beef kabobs are some of the tastiest, most juicy meat you will ever try.
    Check out this recipe
    Meat kabobs on a plate with tomatoes and rice.

    8.

    Persian Kabob Barg with Lamb
    This tenderloin kabob has a simple marinade that infuses amazing flavor, and it cooks up on the grill or under the broiler in less than 20 minutes!
    Check out this recipe
    Kabob with rice and salad.

    Desserts

    Persian desserts are sweet, refreshing, and full of delicate flavors like rose and saffron. You'll often see cookies, sweets, and fruit served as dessert in Persian homes, with plenty of tea to go along with them!

    9.

    Bastani - Saffron and Rose Ice Cream
    This pretty Persian ice cream, called bastani, is saffron and rose flavored heaven. This recipe has the perfect balance of saffron and rose that makes this ice cream irresistible.
    Check out this recipe
    Scoops of yellow ice cream with rose petals.

    10.

    Saffron Zulbia
    Zulbia are a crunchy treat soaked in saffron simple syrup. It's traditionally served with plenty of Persian tea.
    Check out this recipe

    11.

    Faloodeh - Persian Rose & Lime Granita
    Faloodeh is a granita-style frozen dessert flavored with rose and lime, and includes the texture of thin, vermicelli rice noodles.
    Check out this recipe
    White popsicles over ice with limes.

    12.

    Persian Bamieh
    This classic Persian sweet is made from a light, airy choux pastry that is deep-fried until golden and crisp, and then soaked in saffron simple syrup.
    Check out this recipe
    Bamieh soaking in simple syrup in a bowl with a spoon.

    Breakfast

    Traditional Persian breakfasts are usually enjoyed freestyle – meaning you can choose what you want to eat and combine several dishes to create the perfect combo. All the recipes served at breakfast are filling, setting you up with energy for your day.

    13.

    Iranian Adasi
    Iranian Adasi is a slow-simmered lentil soup enjoyed for breakfast, often on weekend mornings when you can be leisurely and enjoy the meal.
    Check out this recipe
    Bowl of lentils with a spoon.

    14.

    Persian Tea Eggs
    Slow-simmered tea eggs are a Sephardic Jewish tradition I grew up with. These eggs are incredibly easy to peel, and the flavor & color infuse beautifully to make a pretty sepia-toned color.
    Check out this recipe

    15.

    Sangak
    This whole-wheat sourdough flatbread is widely considered to be Iran’s national bread. Sangak is cooked over hot stones, and it's most delicious when it's fresh out the oven!
    Check out this recipe
    Strip of flatbread laying over rocks.

    16.

    Noon Barbari
    Noon barbari is an Iranian flatbread with distinct grooves. The grooves make the bread easy to tear and share with your loved ones.
    Check out this recipe
    Front view of flatbread with grooves.

    17.

    Cardamom Quince Jam
    I like to enjoy quince jam on top of toast with feta cheese! It's sweet and spiced, bringing all the tart aromatic goodness of quince.
    Check out this recipe
    Orange jam in jars.

    18.

    Sour Cherry Syrup
    Sweet, tart... this syrup is my go-to over pancakes and waffles when sour cherries are in season. Make a batch and store so you can enjoy it for months to come.
    Check out this recipe
    Top view of cooked sour cherries syrup.

    19.

    Sarsheer
    Sarsheer is a thick, smooth cream (like clotted cream or kaymak) that's perfect for spreading on bread with honey and jam. It's a classic to enjoy as part of a Persian breakfast
    Check out this recipe
    Clotted cream on a plate.

    Stews & soups

    Hearty stews and soups are dishes at the heart of Persian cooking. Many meals I grew up eating were classic Persian stews, simmering in a huge pot on the stove and making the house smell amazing. These recipes are guaranteed to deliver spectacular flavor.

    20.

    Ghormeh Sabzi
    This dish is characterized by the tons of fresh herbs that go into the stew. The chunks of beef are cooked low and slow to give a melt-in-your-mouth tender result, and the dried limes add a subtle sour taste.
    Check out this recipe

    21.

    Persian Quince & Plum Beef Stew
    This quince and beef stew is the most popular Persian food recipe on my blog. It's a great dish for fall, with slow roasted beef and a hearty tomato stew base.
    Check out this recipe

    22.

    Gondi
    Gondi is a wonderful recipe that's served at a Persian-Jewish Shabbat as an hors d'oeuvre, but I prefer to enjoy as a filling, hearty meal. Made from ground chicken and chickpeas, Gondi is the perfect comfort meal.
    Check out this recipe

    23.

    Khoresh Bademjan
    Japanese eggplant and sour grapes are the main ingredients in the Persian summer stew. The main stew sauce combines savory tomato sauce with a hint of sour from the sour grapes, making it a perfect combo.
    Check out this recipe
    Top view of cooked eggplant stew with chicken in red sauce.

    24.

    Fesenjoon
    Fesenjoon is a Persian sweet and sour stew made with pomegranate molasses, walnuts, and chicken. This recipe can be adjusted to your preference, whether that's more sweet or more sour.
    Check out this recipe

    25.

    Ash Reshteh
    Ash Reshteh is a Persian noodle soup, with a distinct, tangy, and savory flavor from the kashk, reshteh noodles, and Persian fried onions. It packs in way more flavor than your usual noodle soup!
    Check out this recipe
    Green soup with noodles and beans.

    26.

    Koufteh - Persian Meat & Rice Dumpling Soup
    Koufteh is a really tasty meat & rice dumpling soup, filled with fresh herbs & spices. The fresh parsley, cilantro, and bay leaves smell incredible and make the broth incredibly fragrant and flavorful.
    Check out this recipe
    Bowl of dumpling soup.

    27.

    Khoresh Gheymeh
    This savory meat and yellow split pea stew is spiced with Persian 7-spice advieh, garlic, and turmeric. The aromas in your kitchen when this is cooking are just mouthwatering.
    Check out this recipe
    Serving bowl with red meat stew.

    Persian Tea & Drinks

    Classic Persian tea is always flowing in Persian households, and served to guests with little cookies and treats like zulbia. Aside from tea, there are many delicious Persian drinks to quench your thirst.

    28.

    Persian Tea
    A simple and classic Persian tea recipe infused with warming cardamom pods.
    Check out this recipe
    Brewed tea in a glass teapot above a wood floating shelf.

    29.

    Gol Gav Zaban
    Gol Gav Zaban, also known as borage tea, is a soothing beverage guaranteed to make you relax. It's easy to brew your own fresh pot at home.
    Check out this recipe
    Glass of tea next to lemon and purple flowers.

    30.

    Sekanjabin – 9 recipes, served 12 ways
    This wonderfully tangy sweet and sour syrup that makes my favorite refreshing and cold summer drink, and you can make it in endless flavor combinations!
    Check out this recipe
    Green drink with ice and mint.

    31.

    Doogh
    How to make Doogh, a yogurt soda enjoyed in the Middle East, easily at home. If you already love fermented drinks like kefir and kombucha, doogh is perfect for you!
    Check out this recipe
    Brandy glass with doogh and a sprig of mint.

    Become a Pro in Persian Cooking!

    I put together these easy-to-navigate guides to help anyone of any skill level learn the basics of Persian cuisine.

    • What to Serve for a Persian Breakfast
    • Persian Pantry Staples and Brands That I Buy
    • Garm or Sard? Balancing Warm and Cool Foods in Persian Cuisine
    • Farsi Cooking Terms - Herbs, Spices, Fruits, & Vegetables

    I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to.

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    Candice Walker

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire it. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

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