Though fish dishes are often a big part of a Mediterranean diet, they can easily be avoided if seafood isn't on your list of favorites.
30 Mediterranean Diet Recipes for Anyone Who Doesn’t Like Fish
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![Cropped shot of a man preparing a healthy meal at home](https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Chopping-produce-639583874.jpg?fit=700%2C700)
Can you do the Mediterranean diet without fish?
Absolutely! We recommend chicken, turkey and eggs as options for protein. Vegetarian dishes heavy on beans and whole grains are perfectly suitable, too.
Also, check what is the Mediterranean diet and why it has health benefits.
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Grilled Eggplant with Feta relish
I created this impressive light side dish for my vegetarian friends. It’s easy, fast and a standout recipe for company. —Amanda Dekrey, Fargo, North Dakota
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Turkey and Apple Arugula Salad
This satisfying salad proves that turkey can be enjoyed outside of the holidays. Peppery salad greens, sweet grapes and rich walnuts combine to create a flavor sensation. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Chicken Skewers
Nothing says summertime like a grill full of chicken skewers. Our grilled chicken kabob recipe uses a garlicky, lemony marinade to ensure the chicken turns out juicy, tender and flavorful.
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Mango Barley Salad
I made this fresh, colorful mango salad on the fly and it was a big hit! The bright flavor is perfect for a spring or summer picnic, served right away or chilled. —Dan Wellberg, Elk River, Minnesota
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Quickpea Curry
This colorful curry is a nice change of pace for a busy weeknight. I like to substitute fresh peas for frozen when they're in season. —Beth Fleming, Downers Grove, Illinois
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Fig-Glazed Chicken with White Beans
Sauteed shallots, fig jam, rosemary, lemon and sherry vinegar make a delightful sauce for both the chicken and the beans. My husband couldn’t believe how well the white beans absorbed the flavor, making this a grand slam. Matchstick carrots can be added to the bean mixture for extra color, flavor and crunch. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Potato Salad with Kalamata-Hazelnut Vinaigrette
Potato salad tossed with vinaigrette has a lighter taste than traditional mayo versions. I add velvety avocado and hazelnuts for cool texture and crunch. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
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Za'atar Chicken
It's hard to find a dinner that both my husband and kids will enjoy—and even harder to find one that's fast and easy. This is it! No matter how much I make of this dish, it's gone to the last bite. —Esther Erani, Brooklyn, New York
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Tomato-Garlic Lentil Bowls
An Ethiopian recipe inspired this feel-good dinner that's tangy, creamy and packed with hearty comfort. —Rachael Cushing, Portland, Oregon
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Chicken Bulgur Skillet
This recipe was passed on to me by a friend. I've altered it slightly to suit our tastes. We like it with a fresh green salad. —Leann Hilmer, Sylvan Grove, Kansas
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Arugula & Mushroom Breakfast Pizza
It's a challenge to be creative with breakfast every morning, and I like to come up with fun foods the kids will love. This is a great recipe for the kids to join in and help make for breakfast. You can also make and freeze it before you add the eggs, then finish baking another day. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
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Spicy Lentil & Chickpea Stew
This recipe came to me from a friend who had worked at a health food store. I changed a few things until I found a version that my family loved. My son doesn't like things too spicy, so I make the stew milder for him and add a sprinkle of extra spice in mine. My husband, who farms, works outdoors for long hours at a time and finds this soup hearty enough to keep him satisfied. —Melanie MacFarlane, Bedeque, Prince Edward Island
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Chicken Florentine Meatballs
Served over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan
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Greens and Beans Turkey Soup
On winter evenings, we like nothing better than a piping hot bowl of soup. This one uses the turkey carcass to make a flavorful stock for the soup. —Susan Albert, Jonesburg, Missouri
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Mediterranean Broccoli & Cheese Omelet
My Italian mother-in-law taught me to make this omelet years ago—she would make it for breakfast, lunch or dinner and eat it on Italian bread. This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover broccoli. —Mary Licata, Pembroke Pines, Florida
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Contest-Winning Greek Pasta Bake
When I take this dish to potlucks, there's never so much as a morsel left! It’s a simple, healthy, hearty supper made with ingredients that are easy to find. Add a salad and a crusty loaf of bread for a quick meal solution. —Anne Taglienti, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
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One-Dish Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet
This quick one-dish dinner helped keep my husband and me on track throughout the week while we were still learning to balance our busy schedules. — Shannon Barden, Alpharetta, Georgia
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Veggie Nicoise Salad
More and more people in my workplace are becoming vegetarians. When we cook or eat together, the focus is on fresh produce. This salad combines some of our favorite ingredients in one dish—and with the hard-boiled eggs and kidney beans, it delivers enough protein to satisfy those who are skeptical of vegetarian fare. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois
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Chicken Artichoke Skillet
My fast chicken entree featuring artichokes and olives has real Greek flair. Seasoned with lemon juice and oregano, the stovetop chicken turns out moist and tender. —Carol Latimore, Arvada, Colorado
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Mediterranean Spinach & Beans
If you want to make this dish vegetarian, use soy sauce instead of Worcestershire. I like this skillet meal served warm or cold. —Becky Cuba, Spotsylvania, Virginia
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Sweet Potato and Turkey Couscous
We always have turkey and sweet potatoes left over after our big Thanksgiving feast. I combine them in this quick, easy and nutritious main dish that satisfies alongside a simple green salad. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
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Mediterranean Cobb Salad
I'm a huge fan of taking classic dishes and adding some flair to them. I also like to change up heavier dishes, like the classic Cobb salad. I've replaced typical chicken with crunchy falafel that's just as satisfying. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
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Spinach-Mushroom Scrambled Eggs
My husband and I had breakfast at a hotel and enjoyed an amazing mushroom and egg dish. As soon as I got home, I made my own rendition. —Rachelle McCalla, Batesville, Arkansas
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Greek Brown and Wild Rice Bowls
This fresh rice dish tastes like the Mediterranean in a bowl! It is short on ingredients but packs in so much flavor. For a hand-held version, leave out the rice and tuck the rest of the ingredients in a pita pocket. —Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
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Garlic-Grilled Chicken with Pesto Zucchini Ribbons
The first time I substituted zucchini noodles for regular pasta, it was because I was trying to reduce carbohydrates and calories. Now I make them because we love the flavor and texture they bring to dishes. This dish is just as delicious if you substitute shrimp for the chicken. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
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Parmesan Chicken with Artichoke Hearts
I've liked the chicken and artichoke combo for a long time. Here's my own lemony twist. With all the praise it gets, this dinner is so much fun to serve. —Carly Giles, Hoquiam, Washington
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Bulgur Salad
Whether it's nutrition or taste you're after, it doesn't get any better than a bulgur salad. Bulgur wheat, beans, tomatoes, pine nuts and olive oil team up in this Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian main dish salad.
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