10+ Ramadan Recipes to Celebrate the Holy Month

Ramadan is a special time for many people around the world, marked by fasting, prayer, and community gatherings. During this month, the meals you prepare hold great significance and can bring family and friends together.

Exploring delicious and easy Ramadan recipes can help you create nourishing dishes that everyone will enjoy.

From savory starters to sweet treats, there is a wide variety of dishes to consider for iftar and suhoor. You can find inspiration to make traditional meals or put a twist on favorites.

Enjoying flavorful food during Ramadan is a wonderful way to enhance your celebrations and connect with loved ones.

1) Kebab Pilaf with Spiced Carrots

Kebab Pilaf with Spiced Carrots is a delicious and filling dish that’s perfect for Ramadan. This recipe combines flavorful kebabs with a fragrant rice pilaf and tasty spiced carrots.

Using a vegan kebab alternative makes this dish suitable for everyone. The rice is cooked with a blend of spices, adding richness and warmth.

The spiced carrots add a sweet and savory taste that complements the meal. You’ll find this dish not only easy to make but also a delight for your taste buds.

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup kebab (or vegan alternative)
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until soft.
2. Stir in carrots, cumin, and coriander. Cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add rice, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, cook kebabs according to package instructions or grill.
6. Serve kebabs on a bed of pilaf and top with spiced carrots.

2) Aromatic Lamb with Dates

Aromatic Lamb with Dates is a flavorful dish perfect for Ramadan. It combines tender lamb with sweet dates and warm spices.

To make this dish, you will start by browning the lamb. Adding sweet potatoes gives it a hearty touch. The sweet notes from the dates balance the spices, making each bite enjoyable.

This recipe is simple yet impressive, ideal for sharing with loved ones. Serve it with couscous for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 500g boneless lean lamb, diced (preferably from the leg)
• 300g sweet potatoes, cut into chunks
• 100g dates, pitted and chopped
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh coriander for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add onion and sauté until soft.
3. Add lamb and brown it lightly.
4. Stir in sweet potatoes and spices.
5. Add water and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Mix in dates and cook for another 10 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with couscous.

3) Egyptian Egg Salad

Egyptian Egg Salad is a tasty dish that brings a burst of flavor to your table. It combines hard-boiled eggs with fava beans, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and spices like cumin. This salad is perfect for Ramadan or any time you want something hearty and nutritious.

To make it even better, you can serve it with pita bread or fresh vegetables. This dish is all about enjoying simple ingredients that create rich flavors.

Ingredients

• 4 hard-boiled eggs
• 1 cup cooked fava beans
• 3 tablespoons tahini
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and chop the hard-boiled eggs.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped eggs and fava beans.
3. Add tahini, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Mix everything well until combined.
5. Serve chilled or at room temperature with pita bread.

4) Paneer Chutney Pakora

Paneer Chutney Pakora is a delicious snack perfect for Ramadan. These crispy fritters are made with paneer cheese and have a tasty coriander chutney center.

To make them, coat the paneer in a simple batter and fry until golden brown. You get a delightful crunch outside and a soft texture inside. Serve them hot with extra chutney on the side for dipping.

Ingredients

• 200g paneer
• 1 cup chickpea flour
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as needed
• Coriander chutney

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the paneer into small cubes.
2. In a bowl, mix chickpea flour, turmeric, cumin, and salt.
3. Add water gradually to create a smooth batter.
4. Dip each paneer cube in the batter, then fry in hot oil at 350°F (180°C) until golden.
5. Serve warm with coriander chutney.

5) Mango Labaniyad (Creamy Custard)

Mango Labaniyad is a delicious and creamy custard dessert popular in many Somali households. It’s often enjoyed during Ramadan, making it a special treat for Iftar. This dessert combines the rich flavors of milk, cream, and ripe mangoes.

To make Mango Labaniyad, you will need simple ingredients. The sweet, fruity taste of mango adds a delightful twist to the classic custard. It’s a perfect way to end your meals during this holy month.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 6 egg yolks
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 5 tablespoons cane or granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ripe mango, pureed

Cooking Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine milk and cream.
2. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, and sugar until smooth.
3. Heat the milk mixture over medium heat until warm.
4. Gradually add the egg mixture, stirring constantly.
5. Cook until thickened, then remove from heat.
6. Stir in vanilla and mango puree.
7. Pour into serving dishes and chill before serving.

6) Tahini Chocolate Cakes

Tahini chocolate cakes are a delicious treat you can enjoy during Ramadan. These cakes are rich and moist, combining chocolate with the nutty flavor of tahini. They can be served warm or at room temperature, making them perfect for sharing.

You can top them with crème fraîche for added creaminess. A sprinkle of lime zest adds a refreshing touch. This dessert is simple to make, and you’ll impress your family and friends with this unique flavor combination.

Ingredients

• 1 cup tahini
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a bowl, mix tahini and sugar until smooth.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
4. Gradually add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
5. Pour into a greased cake pan.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until set.

7) Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala is a popular dish during Ramadan. It features tender chicken pieces marinated in yogurt and spices. The chicken is then cooked and added to a creamy tomato sauce with rich flavors.

You will enjoy the warm spices like cumin and garam masala. They give the dish a delicious, aromatic taste. Serve it with rice or naan for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into small pieces.
2. In a bowl, mix yogurt, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, and salt.
3. Marinate the chicken in this mixture for at least 1 hour.
4. Cook the marinated chicken in a pan until browned.
5. Stir in the tomato puree and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Add heavy cream and garam masala; cook for another 5 minutes.
7. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

8) Gulab Jamun

Gulab Jamun is a classic sweet enjoyed during Ramadan. These soft, round treats are made from milk solids and soaked in syrup, making them a favorite among many.

To make Gulab Jamun, start by preparing the dough. Combine ingredients like khoya, flour, and a pinch of baking powder. Form small balls from the dough.

Next, heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat (around 350°F or 175°C). Carefully fry the balls until golden brown.

While they cool, prepare the syrup by boiling sugar and water, adding a hint of cardamom. Once the syrup is ready, soak the fried balls in it for a few hours.

Enjoy these delicious bites as a sweet treat after your meals!

Ingredients

• 1 cup khoya
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• Oil for frying
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine khoya, flour, and baking powder to form a dough.
2. Shape the dough into small balls.
3. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
4. Fry the dough balls until golden brown.
5. Boil sugar and water for syrup, adding cardamom.
6. Soak fried balls in syrup for a few hours.

9) Arabic Lentil Soup

Arabic lentil soup, also known as Shorabet Adas, is a warm and comforting dish. It’s perfect for breaking your fast during Ramadan. This soup is nutritious and filling, making it a great choice for iftar.

To make this soup, you’ll need simple ingredients like lentils, onions, and spices. The flavors blend together beautifully, creating a hearty meal. You can also add vegetables for extra nutrition.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions and garlic. Cook until soft.
3. Stir in carrots and cook for another 5 minutes.
4. Add lentils, broth, cumin, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil. Then, reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.
6. Blend if desired, and serve with lemon wedges.

10) Kozi Halwa

Kozi Halwa is a delightful dessert often enjoyed during Ramadan. This sweet dish uses semolina to create a soft, rich texture that melts in your mouth. It is flavored with spices and sweetened with sugar or syrup.

To make Kozi Halwa, you typically start by roasting the semolina in ghee. This adds a lovely nutty flavor. Then, mix in the sugar and water. Let it simmer until thickened.

Often, nuts like almonds or pistachios are added on top for a crunchy contrast. You can enjoy Kozi Halwa warm or chilled, making it a versatile treat for your iftar table.

Ingredients

• 1 cup semolina
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios)
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat ghee in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add semolina and roast until golden brown.
3. In another pot, bring water and sugar to a boil.
4. Slowly pour the sugar mixture into the semolina, stirring constantly.
5. Cook until thickened.
6. Add cardamom and top with nuts.
7. Serve warm or chilled.