Israeli food is known for its delicious flavor. Here you will find recipes for popular dishes, including shawarma, hummus, falafel, Israeli salad, and much more.
This is a collection of real Israeli recipes brought to you by an actual Israeli-American.
If you’ve ever walked through the side paths of Machane Yehuda Market or eaten in an Israeli restaurant in Israel, you know that there is a huge selection of Israeli food, and that doesn’t even include home-styled food or restaurant cuisine.
What is Israeli Food?
Among Americans in Israel, I often hear the debate of what qualifies as Israeli food.
As an Israeli-American, I can tell you that it is food that is deeply rooted in Israeli food culture.
Israeli food, much like American food, is a blend of the many cultures that came with the immigrants. Is pizza Italian or American?
I’ve made the argument and own the case that it is at least as American as it is Italian.
Likewise, many foods in Israel are a deep part of the food culture but may or may not have originated in Israel.
Israel has been a safe haven for Jews all over the world.
More than anyone, it was a place for Jewish refugees when the countries they were born in kicked them out.
Along with them, they brought their local foods.
Israel’s diverse cultural history also plays a part. This is especially true with foods popular in the Ottoman Empire.
Also, since the concept of countries in the Middle East is relatively new, much of the food culture is shared.
In fact, most Middle Eastern foods have little to no known origin and what is known is often speculation more than anything.
While Israel has a long history as being its own land and culture, being an important center for trade in the ancient world, food and aesthetics were often influenced by imported goods.
As a result of all of these factors, “Israeli food”, more often than not, includes foods shared with other countries.
Hummus, called chumus in Israel, is a huge part of Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine. It is used as a spread, served as an appetizer, eaten on it's own, and more.
It gets it's name from the Hebrew and Arabic word for chickpeas which is what it is made out of.
Shawarma one of Israel's most popular street foods. Originally it was made with lamb, but now it is usually made with boneless skinless turkey thighs in Israel (though you can find chicken, lamb, and goat as well) and boneless skinless chicken thighs in Israeli restaurants in the States.
There are few more iconic Israeli foods. It is served as a salad on it's own, as a side dish, and in shawarma and falafel.
While just about every recipe I've seen for it in English embellishes the simple dish, this recipe is how Israelis make it.
Pearl Couscous, or petitim in Hebrew, are a popular side dish in Israel. Petitim were created to address a rice shortage, so naturally, they are actually used like rice rather than couscous.
This style of rice is without a doubt the most popular way of making rice in Israel. It is served at family tables, for Shabbos, at hot lunches, and in restaurants.
Shakshuka is a common breakfast and brunch food in Israel. It is on the menu at most cafes.
Aside from the Israeli breakfast, it is my most recommended option on a menu.
Moroccan Fish is the most popular way of eating fish in Israel. I'm pretty sure it originated in Israel with the Moroccan-Israeli community.
It is commonly served on Shabbos as the fish course before the main course. However, it is also sometimes enjoyed during the week.
Israeli rice and beans is my favorite Israeli side dish. I can eat plate after plate of it.
Whenever my Mom and I went to Israeli restaurants in New York for my birthday before moving back this we'd order this off-menu along with our chicken shawarma.
Sachlav is can be found on any cafe menu in the winter. I've even seen it sold at stands on the street next to boiled corn in Jerusalem and in ice cream shops in Yafo.
Paprika Chicken and Potatoes is a common one pan meal in Israel. Just add string beans on the side and you're good to go.
Red cabbage salad is a common part of the first course to any multi course meal in Israel. This is course is commonly called "salatm" i.e. salads which is a style mezze.
Chocolate rugelach can be found in every bakery in Israel. They range from soft and tender to rich and gooey. They are often sprinkled with sesame seeds that also adds a little something.
Mujadara is rice with lentils and fried onions. While it is eaten in Israel, it's actually more popular in Israeli restaurants in the States.
Paprika roasted potatoes are one of the most popular ways of making potatoes in Israel. Actually, yellow potatoes are the only other common way of making them.
Semolina porridge is called diysa in Hebrew. You can make it either sweet or savory - I prefer the sweet version.
Diysa is a nice change from oatmeal and is a nice breakfast warm up with on cold mornings.
Beef and Green Beans is one of the lesser known dishes in Israel but one that I grew up on. It is flavorful and very healthy.
Yellow rice is a common side dish in Israel. I cannot tell you how many times I've eaten yellow rice as part of hot lunch when I was teaching. It was also my Mom's favorite side dish for years, so it was served for every sit down meal in our house.
Red rice is another favorite in Israel but is less popular than other types of rice and couscous. My great aunt makes it for special occasions.
Double chocolate chip cookies is another common dessert in Israel. You can find it in any bakery and they range in sizes. Usually the large ones are chewy and the packaged small ones are crisp.
Yellow chicken and potatoes is another common one pan meal in Israel but takes a few more steps than paprika chicken and potatoes.
Moroccan carrot salad is another common part of first courses in Israel.
Eggplant Salad with Techina, or Baba Ganoush as it is more commonly reffered to in the States, is a popular salad to in Israel.
Along Israeli salad, Hummus, red eggplant salad, and more, it is served as a start course and remains on the table trough the meal.
I don't think there is one Israeli spice company that does not make chicken seasoning for the grill. They all vary a little, but this is a copycat of our favorite.
Bean soup may not be as popular as far as street food soups go, but you can find it restaurants and a popular homemade soup.
Babka is called yeast cake in Hebrew and can be found in most bakeries.