Bahraini cuisine is like a treasure chest waiting to be opened. It’s filled with bold flavors, time-honored techniques, and dishes.
That tell stories of a rich, layered culture. If you’ve ever been curious about Middle Eastern food but want to explore something more niche, Bahraini recipes will blow your mind.
Ready to dive into a world of saffron, rosewater, and perfectly spiced meats? Let’s get into these 11 amazing Bahraini recipes that’ll have your taste buds doing a happy dance.
1. Chicken Machboos
Ingredients:
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 whole chicken (cut into pieces)
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 medium tomatoes (diced)
- 1 tablespoon Baharat spice mix
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cardamom pods
- 2 dried black limes
- 4 cups chicken stock
- Salt to taste
How to Make It: Start by sautéing the onions in a large pot until they’re golden brown. Add garlic and tomatoes, cooking until the mixture becomes a rich paste.
Toss in the Baharat spice mix, turmeric, cinnamon, and cardamom for that iconic Bahraini flavor. Next, sear the chicken pieces in the spice mixture.
Add the dried black limes and chicken stock, letting everything simmer. Finally, fold in the rice and cook until tender and fluffy.
Serve hot, with a sprinkle of fried onions on top if you’re feeling fancy.
Why did this make it to our list? Chicken Machboos is Bahrain’s national dish, and for good reason. Its hearty, aromatic flavors capture the essence of the country’s culinary identity.
2. Bahraini Lamb Biryani
Ingredients:
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 pound lamb (cut into cubes)
- 1 large onion (sliced thin)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1-inch piece of ginger (grated)
- 2 medium tomatoes (pureed)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon saffron threads (soaked in warm milk)
- 3 cardamom pods
- 2 cups lamb broth
- Salt to taste
How to Make It: Sear the lamb cubes in a heavy-bottomed pot until browned. Remove and set aside.
In the same pot, sauté onions until golden and add garlic, ginger, and pureed tomatoes.
Stir in the spices and cook until fragrant. Return the lamb, add the lamb broth, and simmer until tender.
Meanwhile, cook the rice separately. Once done, layer the lamb mixture and rice in a pot, drizzle saffron milk over the top, and let it steam on low heat for 15 minutes. Serve with a side of yogurt.
Why we chose it: This dish is a perfect marriage of fragrant rice and tender lamb, showcasing the diversity of Bahraini flavors.
3. Balaleet (Sweet Vermicelli)
Ingredients:
- 200g vermicelli noodles
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon saffron threads (soaked in warm water)
- 2 tablespoons rosewater
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons butter
How to Make It: Boil the vermicelli noodles and drain. In a pan, melt butter and toss in the noodles with sugar, cardamom, saffron, and rosewater.
Cook until the sugar dissolves and the noodles are caramelized. Scramble the eggs separately and layer them on top of the sweet vermicelli. Serve warm.
Why did this make it to our list? Balaleet is a unique fusion of sweet and savory that’ll surprise your taste buds in the best way possible.
4. Bahraini Ghouzi
Ingredients:
- 1 whole lamb shoulder
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Baharat spice mix
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 3 cups lamb broth
- Salt to taste
How to Make It: Season the lamb shoulder with Baharat spice mix and roast until tender.
In a separate pot, cook the rice with onions, garlic, turmeric, and lamb broth. Once the lamb is done, serve it over the fragrant rice with a garnish of toasted nuts.
Why we selected it: This dish is a celebration meal in Bahrain, and it’s packed with bold, celebratory flavors.
5. Samboosa (Bahraini Samosas)
Ingredients:
- 1 pack of samosa wrappers
- 1 pound ground beef or chicken
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying
How to Make It: Cook the ground beef or chicken with onions, garlic, and spices until fully done.
Let the filling cool, then stuff it into the samosa wrappers and seal. Deep fry until golden and crispy. Enjoy hot with a side of tamarind chutney.
Why did this make it to our list? Who doesn’t love crispy, golden bites of spiced perfection?
6. Bahraini Thareed
Ingredients:
- 1 pound lamb or chicken (cubed)
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 medium tomatoes (pureed)
- 1 teaspoon Baharat spice mix
- 2 cups chicken or lamb broth
- 4 pieces of flatbread
How to Make It: Cook the meat with onions, garlic, and tomatoes until tender. Add the broth and simmer.
Just before serving, layer pieces of flatbread at the bottom of the bowl and pour the stew over them.
Why we chose it: Thareed is comfort food at its finest, blending rich flavors and soft, tearable bread.
7. Bahraini Harees
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cracked wheat
- 1 pound chicken (shredded)
- 5 cups water
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
How to Make It: Cook the cracked wheat and chicken in water until it forms a porridge-like consistency. Stir in butter and season with salt. Serve warm.
Why did this make it to our list? Harees is simple yet soul-satisfying—the ultimate comfort food.
8. Muhammar (Sweet Rice)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups basmati rice
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon saffron (soaked in water)
- 2 tablespoons rosewater
- 2 tablespoons butter
How to Make It: Cook the rice with sugar, saffron, and rosewater until it’s sweet and aromatic. Stir in butter for a glossy finish.
Why we selected it: This sweet rice dish pairs beautifully with savory meals and is a must-try.
9. Bahraini Kabab
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chickpea flour
- 1 small onion (grated)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Salt to taste
- Water (to form batter)
How to Make It: Mix all ingredients to form a thick batter. Drop spoonfuls into hot oil and fry until golden. Serve with fresh chutney.
Why we chose it: These crispy fritters are a street-food favorite in Bahrain.
10. Bahraini Halwa
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 cups water
- ½ teaspoon saffron
- 2 tablespoons rosewater
- Chopped nuts (for garnish)
How to Make It: Cook sugar, cornstarch, and water until it thickens into a jelly-like consistency.
Add saffron and rosewater, stirring until glossy. Garnish with nuts and let it set before serving.
Why did this make it to our list? Bahraini Halwa is a traditional dessert with a delicate balance of sweetness and fragrance.
11. Luqaimat (Sweet Dumplings)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup warm water
- Oil for frying
- Honey or date syrup (for drizzling)
How to Make It: Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and water to form a sticky dough. Let it rise.
Heat oil and drop spoonfuls of the dough into the oil, frying until golden. Drizzle with honey or date syrup.
Why we selected it: These little bites of heaven are crispy on the outside and soft inside, making them the perfect treat.
Conclusion
Ready to level up your cooking game with these Bahraini recipes? Each dish is like a passport, Stamp from Bahrain, delivering unique and unforgettable flavors.
So, why not try something new this week? Whip up one of these recipes and let the magic of Bahraini cuisine take over your kitchen.
Let us know which recipe you’re dying to try first! Share your thoughts and food adventures below.