12 Essential Persian Dishes to Include in Your Weeknight Meals

Kuku Sabzi

"Kuku sabzi is a classic Persian dish, essentially a herb-filled frittata," says Ali Ramee, the recipe creator. "The egg acts as a binder to hold all the fresh herbs together, but it’s not the main focus of the dish. Serve it with flatbread, yogurt, pickled onions, feta, and pomegranate seeds. It’s delicious both hot and at room temperature."

You might also enjoy:

• Herbed Pomegranate Salsa

Lubia Polo (Green Bean Rice)

This one-pot Persian dish combines rice, ground beef, green beans, tomato sauce, and a mix of curry spices. "You’ll need a nonstick pan to flip the dish onto a platter and preserve the crispy rice crust — the tahdig," says Trina, the recipe submitter.

You might also enjoy:

• Kalam Polo (Persian Cabbage and Rice)

Mahi Sorkh Shodeh (Persian Fried Fish)

Ready in under 40 minutes, this simple Persian fried fish gets its vibrant color and unique flavor from ground turmeric and a touch of saffron threads. Serve it with fresh lime wedges and Seville oranges for a perfect balance of taste.

You might also enjoy:

• Duck Fesenjan
• Ghormeh Sabzi (Persian Herb Stew)

Persian Herb and Cheese

This easy cheese platter features fresh green herbs, crumbled cheese, and flatbread — a perfect way to begin a Persian-inspired meal.

Persian Rice

Rice is a cornerstone of Persian cuisine. Here’s Chef John’s version of the classic Persian rice dish. "I’ve shared several fool-proof methods for cooking perfect rice," says Chef John, "but this Persian method is the clear winner, and it’s not even a close race. The beauty of this technique is that it doesn’t require precise measurements or exact cooking times. I know that might make some of you nervous, but just trust the process."

You might also like:

• Sabzi Polo (Green Herb Rice)
• Reshteh Polo (Persian Noodle Rice)

Masht-o Khiyaar (Persian Cucumber Salad with Sultanas and Walnuts)

A refreshing cucumber and yogurt salad with toasted walnuts, plump golden raisins, and fresh mint. "This is a Persian recipe and my favorite cucumber salad," says Afiyet_olson. "For the best flavor, refrigerate the salad for about 1 hour before serving."

Persian Sabzi Polo (Herb Rice with Fava Beans)

This is a Persian take on beans and rice. You’ll cook the rice with fresh herbs like dill, parsley, and cilantro, along with spices and fava beans. "This is a Persian dish I often make for my husband," says GONDWANA. "It tastes even better if you use fresh herbs, and it pairs wonderfully with either fish or chicken. Hope you enjoy it!"

Jujeh Kabob (Persian Chicken Kabobs)

"This is a traditional Persian chicken kabob that’s both flavorful and satisfying," says Reza Michael. "Pair it with roasted tomatoes, fresh onions, sliced lemons, and fluffy rice for a complete meal."

You might also like:

• Kabob Koobideh (Persian Ground Meat Kabobs)
• Turkey Kofta Kabobs
• Kabab Barg (Persian Lamb Kebabs)

Khoresht Bademjoumn

This classic Persian eggplant stew combines spiced beef, tomatoes, and chelo, a fragrant rice pilaf with a crispy golden crust. "I’m not Persian," says Sarah Kelly, the recipe submitter, "but this dish has been part of my life since 1973 when my mother learned it from Fatima in Tehran. I grew up eating it, and it became a favorite even for those who claimed to dislike eggplant."

You might also like:

• Khoresht Fesenjaan (Chicken with Pomegranate Sauce)
• Ghormeh Sabzi (Persian Herb Stew)

Iranian / Persian Salad Shirazi

This refreshing salad combines diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions, dressed with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and herbs. "Sumac, the red, tart spice commonly sprinkled on kebabs, is optional here," notes Autumn Leaves, the recipe submitter. "You can find it in most Middle Eastern markets, but if you can’t, just leave it out. I prefer to dice the veggies small, about 1/4-inch. Serve with extra lemon wedges on the side."

Grilled Fava Beans

Coat whole fava bean pods in olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic, then grill them until the pods are charred and the beans inside are tender. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of fresh mint. "The key here is to grill the pods until the skin crisps up, leaving the beans perfectly cooked," says Chef John. Fava beans are incredibly versatile and can be used in salads, pastas, or even on pizza.

Vegan Apple Khoresh with Seitan

This plant-based version of a classic Persian chicken stew swaps poultry for seitan and incorporates thinly sliced tart apples, onions, apple juice, and aromatic spices for a comforting, vegan twist.

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