Overview
- Ingredients in Jordanian cuisine
- Spices used in Jordanian cooking
- 7 popular Jordanian recipes
- Jordanian hummus recipe
- Dining etiquette in Jordan
- Eating your way around Jordan
Ingredients used in Jordanian cuisine
Jordanian cuisine is an unmissable attraction of Jordan. With many influences and similarities to food found in the region such as Syrian and Palestinian, Jordanian food is considered Levantine or Eastern Mediterranean.
Bedouin tradition values home cooking over eating out, but there are excellent restaurants to be found. On a Bunnik Tour, you’ll get to experience this hospitality first-hand with authentic food experiences on our range of Jordan tours. You’re likely to be eating with your fingers at least some of the time – especially if you venture beyond the hotels and sample local styles of cooking.
Ingredients such as olives, olive oil, fresh herbs, spices, lemons, and fresh vegetables including tomatoes, onions as well as chickpeas, are often incorporated into the dishes as these are easy to access in the region. Fresh fruit including pomegranates, figs, and watermelon are also often included.
Jordanian recipes are often rice and meat-based. Because the country is predominantly Muslim, you won’t find pork on the menu. Instead, meats such as lamb, beef, and poultry tend to be among the most popular. Dishes are often served with naan or pita-style bread along with dips such as hummus, tahini, labneh and baba ghanoush.
Spices used in Jordanian cooking
Jordan is strategically located and has long been an important juncture along the ancient ‘Silk Road’. Some of the most common spices in Jordanian food include cumin, sumac, paprika, saffron, and cardamom.
Za'atar is a commonly used spice blend composed of herbs such as thyme, oregano, marjoram or a combination of the three, along with other spices including sesame, sumac, cumin or coriander. It is used as a seasoning for meats and vegetables or sprinkled onto hummus. It is also eaten with labneh (yogurt drained to make a tangy, creamy cheese), bread and olive oil for breakfast.
This spice combination is found most commonly in Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Syria, and Lebanon, as well as other places in the Arab world.
7 popular Jordanian recipes
We’ve rounded up the dishes commonly found in Jordanian Cuisine for you to look out for on your travels or even recreate at home. Many of these dishes you would find in the ‘mezze’ style of dining. Mezze is made up of small plates of dips and salads, usually served at the beginning of a meal, but can be a main in itself.
Mansaf: the national dish
Mansaf, Jordan's national dish is a favoured meal during Ramadan. It is hearty and reflects the Bedouin influence on the country's cuisine. This traditional dish features lamb cooked in a fermented dried yoghurt sauce, known as jameed, and is served on a bed of rice. Mansaf is often accompanied by flatbread and garnished with pine nuts and almonds.
Falafel: street food staple
Found on almost every street corner, falafel is a popular and affordable snack you’re probably familiar with. Made from ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed with herbs and spices, falafel is deep-fried until crispy. This flavourful and protein-packed treat is typically served wrapped in a flatbread with tahini sauce and fresh vegetables.
Maqluba: ‘the upside-down dish’
Maqluba, translating to "upside-down" in Arabic, is a one-pot dish that showcases the versatility of Jordanian cuisine. This savoury dish consists of layers of rice, vegetables, and meat, cooked together and then flipped upside down before serving. The result is a visually striking and delicious meal that encapsulates Jordanian home cooking.
Knafeh: a sweet treat
No exploration of Jordanian cuisine is complete without mentioning knafeh, a beloved dessert. This sweet treat consists of a thin noodle-like pastry soaked in sugar-based syrup, layered with cheese or semolina, and baked until golden and crispy. Knafeh is a delightful way to end a Jordanian meal or a sweet indulgence during festive occasions.
Shawarma: The Middle Eastern wrap
Shawarma, the wrap of the Middle East and a popular street food, is simple yet delicious, highlighting the country's love for grilled meats. Thin slices of marinated meat, often chicken or lamb, are stacked on a vertical rotisserie and slow-cooked. The meat is then shaved off and served in a flatbread wrap, accompanied by a variety of condiments such as garlic sauce, tahini, and pickles.
Hareeseh: a Jordanian dessert
Hareeseh is a traditional Jordanian dessert made from semolina, sugar, and yoghurt, baked to golden brown perfection. Often topped with almonds or coconut flakes, this sweet dish is a staple during festive occasions and family gatherings. Hareeseh's simplicity and rich flavour make it a classic example of Jordanian home baking.
Hummus: the dip of all dips
You can't go to Jordan and not eat hummus. This creamy dip is made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and maybe a few extra spices and toppings depending on where in Jordan you're eating it. Recipe below!
Jordanian Hummus Recipe
Ingredients:
3 cups of chickpeas: canned, or cooked from dried chickpeas (reserve a few for garnishing)
2 cloves of garlic
⅓ cup of tahini
Juice of 1 lemon
⅓ cup of water
A pinch of salt
Dash of extra virgin olive oil plus more for serving
Garnish with a pinch of sumac and fresh parsley.
Method:
1. Whether you have cooked the chickpeas from scratch or used canned chickpeas - puree them in a food processor.
2. While the food processor is running add water, olive oil, tahini, salt, and lemon juice. Blend for about 4 minutes or so.
3. Check, and if the consistency is too thick, run the processor and slowly add more water. Blend until you reach the desired silky-smooth consistency.
4. Spread in a serving bowl and add a generous drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil. Add the reserved chickpeas to the middle and sprinkle sumac on top.
Serve: Enjoy with cut-up vegetables and some warm pita bread.
Dining etiquette in Jordan
According to Jordanian traditions, you are allowed to refuse a meal up to three times before finally accepting a lunch or dinner invitation. Guests are served first and offered the choicest cuts. Don't be alarmed if a host personally serves portions of food on your plate for you. Try to eat everything that is served if you can.
Avoid eating with your left hand, as it can be considered rude and refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public during the day while travelling during the holy month of Ramadan.
Taste true Jordanian cuisine on a Bunnik Tour
With a bustling culture and numerous UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, Jordan offers endless opportunities for adventure with one of those being its highly-rated cuisine. Some of the most popular dishes you might be familiar with but as for the rest - it’s time to find out!
Discover the jewel of Jordan on one of our small group tours, packed with plenty of opportunities to sample the local cuisine through authentic home-cooked meals and cooking experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical Jordanian breakfast
Fuul is a hot breakfast dish found across Jordan that consists of beans, lemon juice, olive oil, and chilli, eaten with flatbread.
Is Jordanian food spicy?
Jordanian food is heavily spiced and full of flavour. Some dishes feature a little bit of a kick, but for those who don’t enjoy heat, the cuisine is generally not too spicy.
What is the most traditional food in Jordan?
Mansaf is the national dish of Jordan and is made of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yoghurt called jameed and served with rice or bulgur (bulgar wheat is a whole grain similar to quinoa).