When planning an iftar meal there are countless suggestions for sweets and sugary (or fried) items to pick from. But the sugar overload can be a bit much, especially for people who prefer foods that are more savory.
What I’ve found is that most all Ramadan tables have a few key elements; something to drink, some sort of soup or easy to digest food, small nibbles (I always think of appetizers), and one or two larger items, along with some sort of cookies or cakes.
What you decide to put out on your Ramadan table is personal preference but if you’re looking for some savory iftar ideas I’ve gathered up a collection of my own recipes as well as a few others I’ve tried online that I think you’ll enjoy.
Savory Iftar Ideas
Soup is something that's easy to make and digest after fasting. There's more than a few savory soups in this list that will make your stomach happy.
There's nothing I love better than putting together a snacking board with all my favorite things. It's also a great way to repurpose leftovers and make them look new for their second appearance.
Sardines can be a hard sell but with this dish you may change your mind. My recipe uses fresh fish but tinned can work as well. Just don't forget the toppings.
Put a twist on your regular hamburger recipe and try this instead. Don't skip out on the mayonaise!
This is a great catch-all dish. Made from bits and bobs left in the refrigerator and given bulk with beans.
This carrot bread recipe might surprise you but it's a hit with people of all ages. Sometimes I just make the filling and spread it on top of bread instead of baking it in.
In Tunisia tajine is not the same as it is in Morocco. This is more like a frittata and can be served in large pieces or cut into small bite size pieces.
A delicious (and easy!) main dish or appetizer to make using a rotisserie chicken. It's also a great dish for sharing and can feed a crowd easily.
Wondering how to use some of that delicious culinary argan oil you've got? This salad is ideal! The sweet and savory flavors from the oranges and olives will surprise you.
Falafel make a great addition to the table because of how you can adjust and change them. Pop them in a salad, serve alongside a dip, tuck into some bread with cucumbers and garlic sauce. It's endless really!
Maybe rice and potato together seem a bit of a carb overload but once you sink your teeth into these pillows of goodness you'll change your mind.
This Turkish bread is packed with flavor and is easy to make at home. If you can't make it to Turkey, you may as well bring it to your table.
Just seeing the pictures of this recipe makes me want to run to my kitchen and make an entire platter to eat myself. If you've got na'an leftover I can't help but think it would be a great way to make use of it as well.
Za'atar is one of my favorite spice mixes because of how flavorful and versatile it is. Pairing it with lebnah also just brightens and lightens them up.
Grape leaves are eaten across the Middle East but each country and region has their own way of making them special. I liked these because they included ingredients like split peas that I've never seen in grape leaves before!
I hope that you find a few recipe choices here that will fill out your savory Ramadan iftar table!
