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    Home » Mediterranean recipes

    Mediterranean Mezze Platter

    Published: Dec 18, 2018 · Modified: Jun 18, 2020 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    1025 shares
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    A tasty mezze platter is a cornerstone of any Mediterranean party. Learn how easy it is to build a Mediterranean mezze platter in just 15 minutes that will impress your guests and delight your taste buds!

    Mezze platter takes your appetizer game to a whole new level. This Mediterranean platter is a showstopper at any gathering and it's so simple to make.

    Appetizers and mezzes such as light summer appetizer board are among our most-loved Mediterranean recipes. From classic hummus, mutabal and baba ganoush to muhammara and tzatziki and everything in between, a large mezze platter is great for entertaining.  It's so simple to prepare and ensure that there's something to suit everyone's tastes!

    Table Of Contents:
    • What is mezze?
    • Elements of a proper mezze platter
    • How to prepare a mezze platter
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Planning a Mediterranean feast?
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    What is mezze?

    Mezze (or meze) is a selection of Mediterranean small dishes. It's commonly served with dinner across the Mediterranean and the Balkans. This Mediterranean platter consists several small dishes that compliment each other very well. The word mezze comes from Persian, in which "mazze" means taste or snack.

    This hummus platter is perfect for parties and gatherings.

    Growing up in Iran, we used to serve a classic Persian appetizer platter very often. It would contain cheese, herbs, and watermelon or grapes. Then, when I moved to Istanbul, Turkey, mezze was an integral part of almost every meal at a sit-down restaurant. The waiter would come with a very large tray with lots of small dishes and we would choose everything that looked good to us. And they would usually serve it with warm bread such as lavash or pita.

    A Mediterranean platter includes hummus, roasted peppers, dolmas and cucumbers.

    Elements of a proper mezze platter

    This is the part of the process where you can use your imagination. The items that can go on a platter are endless. Other items that go on a mezze platter are:

    • Bread: Pita chips or homemade pita is a good option but you can also use crackers or lavash bread.
    • Fresh vegetables: Cucumbers and fresh tomatoes add freshness to the platter and they're great for dipping.
    • Dips and spreads: There are so many choices! I like a combination of classic hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, labneh and baba ganoush.
    • Dolmas: You can get prepared stuffed grape leaves at supermarkets. You can also make homemade dolmas if you prefer.
    • Cheese: Feta , marinated feta, fried halloumi, and labneh are great choices. Mozzarella balls also work well.
    • Marinated vegetables: Artichokes, sun dried tomatoes and marinated olives are a great combination for any platter.
    • Vegetables: I love serving roasted red peppers on my platter. You can also serve roasted zucchini, Lebanese spicy potatoes, fried eggplant, or even grilled asparagus. A combination of grilled vegetables adds a lot of flavor to the platter.
    • Nuts: I always add a handful of walnuts to add a nice crunch to the platter. Be sure to try feta with walnuts. It's a truly great combination!
    • Bite size food: It's common to have some bite size foods such as falafels and lentil balls.
    • Salads: Fattoush and tabbouleh are good additions to your mezze platter if you like serving salads. You can also serve some Turkish white beans salad (Piyaz), it's tasty and easy to make.

    How to prepare a mezze platter

    Choose you platter

    First of all, choose the right size platter. The bigger, the better. You can use almost any kind of platter: oval, rectangular, or round.  Even a cutting board or baking sheet will do. It's best if the platter has a large flat surface so you can arrange the food easily. If you have more than 10 guests, it's best to prepare 2 platters.

    Assemble the platter

    Start by plating the hummus. I like to place one flavor of hummus at each end of the platter so everyone has access to the good stuff. Next, place the roasted red peppers and cucumbers in the center. Continue with feta and mozzarella cheese on both ends of the platter. You can either use mozzarella pearls or slice up a ball of mozzarella.

    Place hummus, cucumber and cheese on the tray.

    Next, place marinated olives and dolmades on the platter and proceed with the addition of fresh and sun-dried tomatoes. Finish with marinated artichokes, walnuts, a few peppadew peppers (optional) and some sliced pita bread.

    Add stuffed grape leaves, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes and olives to the Lebanese mezze platter.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I prepare this ahead of time?

    That's the best part! Yes, you can easily prepare this platter ahead of time, cover it tightly with a plastic wrap and serve it when you're ready. Everything on the platter will keep fresh for hours.

    Is everything on a mezze platter vegetarian?

    Not necessarily. Stuffed grape leaves (dolmas) can be made with meat or meatless so make sure you check the ingredients if you buy them. You can always serve meatballs and other meats such as beef salami on the platter. If the main course includes meat, I usually keep the platter vegetarian.

    Are there any shortcuts to save time?

    Absolutely. Use store bought hummus, labneh and baba ganoush. You can even find premade dolmas and falafel these days at almost any supermarket. You can have a beautiful mezze platter in 10 minutes!

    A Mediterranean platter with hummus, cheese, olives and other items.

    Planning a Mediterranean feast?

    • Easy Greek Chicken Souvlaki Recipe
    • Kofta Kebab Recipe (Video Tutorial)
    • Homemade Falafel Recipe (Step-By-Step)
    • Greek Eggplant Moussaka Recipe

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Mediterranean Mezze Platter

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    A tasty mezze platter is a cornerstone of any Mediterranean party. Learn how easy it is to build a Mediterranean mezze platter in just 10 minutes that will impress your guests and delight your taste buds!
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 345 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups Hummus
    • 3 Roasted red peppers
    • 2 Persian cucumbers
    • ½ cup feta cheese cubed
    • ½ cup mozzarella balls
    • 8 dolmas homemade or prepared
    • 1 cup marinated olives
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
    • ½ cup marinated sun-dried tomatoes
    • 1 cup marinated artichokes
    • ½ cup walnuts
    • 7-8 Peppadew peppers optional
    • 4 pitas

    Instructions
     

    • Place a large and flat platter or baking sheet on the counter. 
    • Put some of the hummus in two plates and place them on two ends of the platter. 
    • Place the roasted red peppers on the platter. 
    • Cut the Persian cucumbers into half width-wise. Then cut each half into half lengthwise. Slice each half into three or four pieces. Place the slices on the platter. 
    • Add feta and mozzarella balls to the platter. 
    • Place the dolmas and marinated olives on the platter as well. 
    • Add the fresh and sun-dried tomatoes to two ends of the platter. 
    • Fill the empty spaces with marinated artichokes, walnuts and Peppadew peppers. 
    • Slice each pita into eight pieces and place some around the platter and the rest on a plate. 

    Notes

    • You can find marinated olives and artichokes at the Mediterranean or olive bars of supermarkets. 
    • Serve mezze platter with pita bread, lavash or pita chips. 
    • Add or leave out as many items as you like. Your mezze platter can be as simple as hummus, cheese, olives and pita. 
    • If you have the time, try homemade dolmas, they are tastier than store-bought.
    • You can make a mezze platter a few hours in advance, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you're ready to serve. Add the pita to the platter right before serving. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 13gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 1059mgPotassium: 536mgFiber: 7gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 614IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 154mgIron: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

    Thank you Lantana Foods for sponsoring this post.

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    1025 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ashley

      September 07, 2021 at 9:55 am

      5 stars
      Yum! This was so fun to make for a dinner on Friday. I will definitely make this again.

      Reply
    2. Marsha

      September 07, 2021 at 9:17 am

      5 stars
      This platter was so easy to throw together. Super delicious too!

      Reply
    3. Sandi

      February 08, 2021 at 10:13 am

      We just tried that hummus and it was so good!

      Reply
    4. Jessica

      May 19, 2020 at 11:04 am

      5 stars
      Aren't peppadews totally underutilized? I LOVE them. Anyhow, this is basically my new go-to dinner for ALL of summer while I sit outside and enjoy the warmth sunshine and wine.

      Reply
    5. Taryn

      May 19, 2020 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      We love serving this at summer parties! Thanks for the great idea.

      Reply
    6. Noelle

      January 25, 2019 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      I love this platter idea! Thank you

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        January 25, 2019 at 1:41 pm

        Thank you Noelle! Enjoy!

        Reply
    7. Patty K-P

      January 25, 2019 at 12:35 pm

      5 stars
      Yes! I love a good mezze platter 🙂

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        January 25, 2019 at 1:42 pm

        Thanks Patty!

        Reply

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    1025 shares