Cooking international dishes at home can be a fun way to bring a variety of flavors to your kitchen. I’ve compiled a list of 25 of the best international recipes that I’ve been making repeatedly. These dishes are packed with diverse ingredients and unique tastes from different cultures. They are perfect for anyone looking to add some excitement and global flair to their meal planning.
Colombian marinated chicken drumsticks
This recipe features juicy chicken drumsticks marinated in a zesty Colombian blend of spices and herbs, delivering a flavorful punch in every bite. It takes about 45 minutes to prepare and cook, making it a quick yet satisfying meal. The main ingredients include chicken drumsticks, lime juice, garlic, and cumin. It’s a savory dish with a hint of tanginess, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Colombian marinated chicken drumsticks
Mushroom leek pasta kugel
This kugel combines earthy mushrooms and sweet leeks with tender pasta, creating a comforting and hearty dish. It takes approximately an hour to prepare and bake, making it suitable for a leisurely weekend meal. Key ingredients are pasta, mushrooms, leeks, and eggs. The result is a savory, rich, and creamy pasta bake that pleases everyone.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom leek pasta kugel
Sauteed cabbage with peppers
This dish brings together tender cabbage and colorful bell peppers in a simple sauté that’s ready in just 20 minutes. The main ingredients include green cabbage, red and yellow bell peppers, and garlic. It’s a quick and healthy side dish that pairs well with any main course. The taste is light, slightly sweet from the peppers, and savory from the garlic.
Get the Recipe: Sauteed cabbage with peppers
Argentinian Empanadas
These empanadas are filled with a savory mix of vegetables and spices, enclosed in a flaky pastry crust. They take about an hour to make, including preparation and baking time. The main ingredients are dough, bell peppers, onions, and hard-boiled eggs. They offer a deliciously satisfying, portable snack or meal with a balanced, savory flavor.
Get the Recipe: Argentinian Empanadas
Eggplant Tomato Stacks
This recipe layers roasted eggplant and tomatoes, topped with a sprinkle of fresh basil and melted cheese. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and cook. Main ingredients include eggplant, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. The taste is a delightful combination of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, making it a great appetizer or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Tomato Stacks
Baked Feta Pasta
This pasta dish features creamy feta cheese baked with cherry tomatoes, then mixed with pasta for a rich and flavorful meal. It takes about 40 minutes from start to finish. The main ingredients are feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, garlic, and pasta. The taste is creamy, tangy, and deeply satisfying, perfect for a cozy dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta
Gluten-free Apple Cake
This moist and tender apple cake is a delightful gluten-free dessert packed with fresh apple slices. It takes about an hour to prepare and bake. Main ingredients include apples, gluten-free flour, cinnamon, and sugar. The taste is sweet and spiced with a lovely apple flavor, ideal for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-free apple cake
Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
This classic Russian salad mixes diced potatoes, carrots, peas, and pickles in a creamy mayonnaise dressing. It takes about 45 minutes to prepare, including cooking and cooling time. Key ingredients are potatoes, carrots, peas, pickles, and mayonnaise. The result is a creamy, tangy, and satisfying salad that’s perfect for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)
Black Sesame Sourdough Buns
These sourdough buns are soft and chewy with a unique nutty flavor from black sesame seeds. They take around 24 hours to make due to the sourdough fermentation process. Main ingredients include sourdough starter, flour, and black sesame seeds. The taste is subtly tangy with a distinctive sesame aroma, great for sandwiches or as a snack.
Get the Recipe: Black sesame sourdough buns
Ukrainian Cucumber Salad
This fresh and crisp salad combines cucumbers with dill and a light sour cream dressing. It takes just 15 minutes to prepare. Main ingredients include cucumbers, dill, and sour cream. The taste is refreshing and slightly tangy, making it an excellent side dish for summer meals.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Cucumber Salad
Cherry Cobbler
This cherry cobbler features a juicy cherry filling topped with a golden, buttery crust. It takes about an hour to prepare and bake. Main ingredients are cherries, sugar, and flour. The taste is a perfect balance of sweet and tart with a delightfully crunchy topping.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Cobbler
Honey Apple Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce
This cake is moist and flavorful, combining the sweetness of apples with a rich salted caramel sauce. It takes about an hour and a half to prepare and bake. Key ingredients include apples, honey, and caramel sauce. The taste is a heavenly mix of sweet and salty, perfect for a special dessert.
Get the Recipe: Honey apple cake with salted caramel sauce
Chicken Marbella
This dish features chicken baked with prunes, olives, and capers, creating a savory and slightly sweet flavor profile. It takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to prepare and cook. Main ingredients are chicken, prunes, olives, and capers. The taste is a unique blend of savory, sweet, and tangy, ideal for a hearty dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marbella
Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad)
This vibrant salad combines beets, potatoes, and carrots with pickles and peas in a light vinaigrette. It takes about 40 minutes to prepare, including cooking and cooling time. Main ingredients include beets, potatoes, carrots, and pickles. The taste is earthy and tangy, making it a nutritious and flavorful side dish.
Get the Recipe: Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad)
No-Bake Chocolate Pistachio Cake
This cake features layers of rich chocolate and crunchy pistachios, requiring no baking at all. It takes about 20 minutes to assemble and a few hours to chill. Main ingredients include chocolate, pistachios, and butter. The taste is a luxurious blend of sweet chocolate and nutty pistachios, perfect for an easy yet impressive dessert.
Get the Recipe: No-bake chocolate pistachio cake
Moroccan Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner
This sheet pan dinner features salmon fillets baked with a mix of Moroccan spices and vegetables. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and cook. Key ingredients are salmon, bell peppers, zucchini, and Moroccan spice blend. The taste is a flavorful combination of savory and aromatic spices, making it a healthy and delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner
Gluten-Free Pecan Pie With Maple Syrup and Maple Dulce de Leche Cream
This pie combines a rich pecan filling with the sweetness of maple syrup and a creamy maple dulce de leche topping. It takes about an hour and a half to prepare and bake. Main ingredients include pecans, maple syrup, and gluten-free flour. The taste is a decadent mix of nutty and sweet flavors, perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-free pecan pie with maple syrup and maple dulce de leche cream
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
These kebabs are made with ground chicken seasoned with spices and herbs, then grilled to perfection. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and cook. Main ingredients include ground chicken, garlic, cumin, and coriander. The taste is savory and aromatic, making them a great choice for a quick and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled chicken kofta kebab
Baked Creamy Salmon
This salmon dish is baked with a creamy herb sauce, making it tender and flavorful. It takes about 25 minutes to prepare and cook. Main ingredients include salmon fillets, cream, and fresh herbs. The taste is rich and savory, perfect for a quick and elegant dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked creamy salmon
Rosemary Sourdough Bread
This sourdough bread is infused with fresh rosemary, giving it a fragrant and savory flavor. It takes about 24 hours to make due to the fermentation process. Main ingredients include sourdough starter, flour, and rosemary. The taste is tangy with a delightful rosemary aroma, ideal for sandwiches or as an accompaniment to meals.
Get the Recipe: Rosemary Sourdough Bread
Uzbek Chicken Plov
This traditional Uzbek dish features chicken cooked with rice, carrots, and spices, creating a hearty and flavorful meal. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to prepare and cook. Main ingredients include chicken, rice, carrots, and cumin. The taste is a savory blend of tender chicken and aromatic spices, perfect for a satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Uzbek chicken plov
Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta
This salad combines white beans with fresh vegetables and feta cheese, dressed in a light vinaigrette. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare. Main ingredients include white beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese. The taste is fresh and tangy, making it a perfect light meal or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta
Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes
This dish features chicken marinated in buttermilk and baked with potatoes, resulting in a tender and flavorful meal. It takes about an hour and a half to prepare and cook. Main ingredients include chicken, buttermilk, and potatoes. The taste is rich and savory with a slight tang from the buttermilk, making it a comforting dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Buttermilk Chicken and Potatoes
Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies
This sheet pan dinner features chicken and vegetables seasoned with paprika and roasted together. It takes about 45 minutes to prepare and cook. Main ingredients are chicken thighs, bell peppers, zucchini, and paprika. The taste is smoky and savory, making it a simple and delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Paprika Chicken and Veggies
Mujadara
This traditional Middle Eastern dish combines lentils and rice cooked with caramelized onions. It takes about 50 minutes to prepare and cook. Main ingredients are lentils, rice, and onions. The taste is hearty and earthy with a slight sweetness from the caramelized onions, perfect for a comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Mujadara