10+ Best United Arab Emirates Recipes You Need To Try Once

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a food lover’s paradise, blending rich Arabian flavors with influences from across the globe.

From fragrant spices to melt-in-your-mouth meats, Emirati cuisine is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.

Whether you’re a home cook looking to spice things up or a foodie chasing bold new flavors, these dishes will take your taste buds on an unforgettable ride.

Ready to dive into the best UAE recipes that’ll make your kitchen smell like a Dubai spice market? We’ve got you covered with must-try dishes, from creamy hummus to buttery Luqaimat.

1. Chicken Machboos (UAE’s National Dish)

If there’s one Emirati recipe you have to try, it’s Chicken Machboos—the UAE’s answer to comfort food.

This fragrant rice dish is packed with tender chicken, warming spices, and a golden hue from turmeric.

It’s like biryani’s aromatic cousin but with a Gulf twist.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (cut into pieces)
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 large onion (sliced)
• 3 tomatoes (chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsp machboos spice mix (turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom, black lime)
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp ghee or oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

How to Make It:

1. Heat ghee in a pot and sauté onions until golden.
2. Add garlic, tomatoes, and chicken pieces—brown them lightly.
3. Stir in the machboos spices, then pour in the broth.
4. Simmer until the chicken is cooked, then remove and set aside.
5. Add rinsed rice to the broth, cook until fluffy.
6. Layer the chicken back on top, cover, and let it steam for 10 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

Why we chose it: This dish is the heart of Emirati cuisine—flavorful, hearty, and perfect for family dinners.

One bite, and you’ll see why it’s the UAE’s national treasure.

2. Luqaimat (Sweet Fried Dumplings)

Craving something sweet? Luqaimat is the UAE’s answer to doughnut holes—but better.

These golden, crispy dumplings are drizzled with date syrup and taste like little bites of heaven.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp yeast
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• ½ cup warm water
• Oil for frying
• Date syrup or honey for drizzling

How to Make It:

1. Mix flour, sugar, yeast, and cardamom in a bowl.
2. Gradually add water to form a sticky batter. Let it rise for 1 hour.
3. Heat oil, then drop small spoonfuls of batter in.
4. Fry until golden brown, then drain on paper towels.
5. Drizzle with date syrup and serve warm.

Why this made our list: These bite-sized treats are a must at Emirati gatherings—crispy outside, fluffy inside, and downright addictive.

3. Harees (Creamy Wheat & Meat Porridge)

Harees is the ultimate comfort food—slow-cooked wheat and meat that turns into a velvety, savory porridge. It’s simple but packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cracked wheat
• 500g chicken or lamb
• 4 cups water or broth
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Salt to taste
• Ghee for serving

How to Make It:

1. Boil meat until tender, then shred.
2. Add wheat and cook on low heat, stirring often.
3. Once creamy, blend slightly for smoothness.
4. Season with cinnamon and salt, drizzle with ghee.

Why we selected it: This dish is a Ramadan favorite—warm, filling, and pure comfort in a bowl.

4. Balaleet (Sweet Vermicelli with Eggs)

Balaleet is a unique Emirati breakfast dish that combines sweet vermicelli with savory scrambled eggs. The contrast is surprisingly delicious!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vermicelli noodles
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp rose water
• 1 tbsp ghee
• Pinch of saffron (optional)

How to Make It:

1. Cook vermicelli until soft, drain.
2. Heat ghee, add sugar, cardamom, rose water, and saffron.
3. Toss vermicelli in the sweet mixture.
4. Scramble eggs separately and serve on top.

Why we chose it: It’s a breakfast game-changer—sweet, savory, and totally unique to the UAE.

5. Thareed (Emirati Bread & Meat Stew)

Think of Thareed as the Gulf’s version of bread pudding—but savory. Soft bread soaks up a rich meat and vegetable stew for the ultimate comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 500g lamb or chicken
• 2 loaves Arabic bread (khubz)
• 2 potatoes (cubed)
• 2 carrots (sliced)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 tomatoes (pureed)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• Salt to taste

How to Make It:

1. Brown meat, then add onions, tomatoes, and spices.
2. Add veggies and simmer until tender.
3. Tear bread into pieces, layer in a dish.
4. Pour stew over bread and let it soak before serving.

Why this made our list: It’s the UAE’s answer to a hearty, no-waste meal—simple but incredibly satisfying.

6. Saloona (Emirati Vegetable Stew)

Saloona is a light, fragrant stew loaded with veggies and meat. It’s healthy, flavorful, and perfect with rice or bread.

Ingredients:

• 500g chicken or lamb
• 1 zucchini (sliced)
• 1 eggplant (cubed)
• 1 potato (cubed)
• 1 tomato (chopped)
• 1 onion (sliced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin
• Fresh cilantro

How to Make It:

1. Sauté meat, onions, and garlic.
2. Add spices and tomatoes, cook until soft.
3. Toss in veggies and simmer until tender.
4. Garnish with cilantro.

Why we selected it: It’s a one-pot wonder—nutritious, easy, and packed with authentic Emirati flavors.

7. Chebab (Emirati Pancakes)

Chebab are fluffy, saffron-infused pancakes often enjoyed with date syrup or cheese. They’re the perfect sweet start to your day.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of saffron
• 1 tbsp rose water
• Ghee for frying

How to Make It:

1. Mix all ingredients into a smooth batter.
2. Heat ghee, pour small circles, cook until golden.
3. Serve warm with syrup or cheese.

Why we chose it: These aren’t just pancakes—they’re a fragrant, Emirati twist on a breakfast classic.

8. Majboos Laham (Spicy Lamb Rice)

Majboos Laham is a rich, spicy lamb and rice dish that’ll have you licking your plate clean.

Ingredients:

• 500g lamb (cubed)
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 onion (sliced)
• 3 tomatoes (chopped)
• 2 tbsp majboos spice mix
• 3 cups broth
• 2 tbsp ghee

How to Make It:

1. Brown lamb, then sauté onions and tomatoes.
2. Add spices and rice, then broth.
3. Cover and cook until rice is fluffy.

Why this made our list: If you love bold flavors, this dish is a must-try.

9. Regag (Emirati Crispy Bread)

Regag is a super-thin, crispy bread often stuffed with cheese, eggs, or honey.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup water
• Pinch of salt
• Ghee for cooking

How to Make It:

1. Mix batter until smooth.
2. Spread thinly on a hot griddle until crisp.
3. Add toppings and fold.

Why we selected it: It’s the UAE’s version of a crepe—versatile and delicious.

10. Fattah (Meat & Bread Casserole)

Fattah layers crispy bread, rice, meat, and yogurt sauce for a dish that’s pure comfort.

Ingredients:

• 500g lamb
• 2 cups rice
• 1 loaf Arabic bread (toasted)
• 2 cups yogurt
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp mint

How to Make It:

1. Cook meat and rice separately.
2. Layer bread, rice, meat, and yogurt sauce.

Why we chose it: It’s a festive dish that’s as impressive as it is tasty.

11. Khabees (Sweet Semolina Pudding)

Khabees is a warm, cardamom-scented dessert that’s like a hug in a bowl.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup semolina
• 2 cups milk
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp cardamom
• 1 tbsp rose water
• Nuts for garnish

How to Make It:

1. Toast semolina in ghee.
2. Add milk, sugar, and spices, stirring until thick.
3. Serve warm with nuts.

Why this made our list: It’s the perfect cozy dessert to end an Emirati feast.

Conclusion

There you have it—the best UAE recipes that’ll transport you straight to the bustling souks of Dubai.

Whether you’re whipping up Chicken Machboos for dinner or indulging in Luqaimat for dessert, these dishes bring authentic Emirati flavors to your table.