Middle Eastern cuisine — low-GI recipes

Middle Eastern cuisine: 23 low-GI recipes from the LOGI catalogue. The median glycemic load is 6.4 per serving. Preparation takes 3 to 110 minutes.

Sorted by glycemic load, lowest first.

Kuku Sabzi (Persian Herb Cake with Walnuts and Barberries) - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 1.1
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Kuku Sabzi (Persian Herb Cake with Walnuts and Barberries)

A vibrant Persian herb cake bound with eggs and studded with walnuts and tart barberries — naturally low-glycemic, high in protein, and rich in phytonutrients.

⏱️ 35 min 👥 4
Advanced
Low-Glycemic Cauliflower Tabbouleh with Fresh Herbs - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 1.8
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Low-Glycemic Cauliflower Tabbouleh with Fresh Herbs

A blood sugar-friendly twist on traditional tabbouleh using cauliflower instead of bulgur wheat, packed with fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and healthy fats.

⏱️ 15 min 👥 4
Easy
Çılbır (Turkish Poached Eggs in Garlic Yogurt with Paprika Butter) - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 2.3
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Çılbır (Turkish Poached Eggs in Garlic Yogurt with Paprika Butter)

Ottoman-era poached eggs nestled in garlicky yogurt with sizzling paprika butter — a near-zero-carb, high-protein breakfast that keeps blood sugar steady.

⏱️ 15 min 👥 1
Easy
Hummus with Celery Sticks - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 2.4
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Hummus with Celery Sticks

A blood sugar-friendly snack combining protein-rich chickpea hummus with crisp, fiber-packed celery for sustained energy without glucose spikes.

⏱️ 3 min 👥 1
Easy
Mast-o Khiar (Persian Yogurt with Cucumber and Herbs) - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 2.8
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Mast-o Khiar (Persian Yogurt with Cucumber and Herbs)

Creamy full-fat yogurt folded with salted cucumber, crushed walnuts, and fresh mint — a naturally low-glycemic Persian side that steadies blood sugar.

⏱️ 10 min 👥 2
Easy
Adana Kebab with Çoban Salatası - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 3.3
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Adana Kebab with Çoban Salatası

Charred, hand-kneaded lamb kebabs with crisp Turkish shepherd's salad — a naturally low-glycemic, high-protein plate designed to keep post-meal blood sugar steady.

⏱️ 25 min 👥 2
Advanced
Hummus with Cucumber Slices - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 3.4
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Hummus with Cucumber Slices

A blood sugar-friendly snack combining protein-rich hummus with hydrating cucumber for sustained energy without glucose spikes.

⏱️ 3 min 👥 1
Easy
One-Pan Halloumi & Harissa Bake - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 4.4
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

One-Pan Halloumi & Harissa Bake

A vibrant Mediterranean bake featuring layers of roasted aubergine and halloumi in spiced tomato sauce—simple, satisfying, and naturally blood sugar friendly.

⏱️ 40 min 👥 4
Easy
Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip) - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 4.5
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip)

A smoky Syrian dip of roasted red peppers and toasted walnuts — packed with healthy fats and fiber, virtually no starch, and a gentle glycemic footprint.

⏱️ 13 min 👥 2
Medium
Hummus with Carrot Sticks - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 4.8
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Hummus with Carrot Sticks

A perfectly balanced low-glycemic snack combining protein-rich hummus with fiber-packed carrots for sustained energy without blood sugar spikes.

⏱️ 3 min 👥 1
Easy
Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup with Lemon and Greens - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 5.2
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Vegetarian

Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup with Lemon and Greens

A nourishing, blood-sugar-friendly lentil soup featuring anti-inflammatory turmeric, fiber-rich lentils, and bright lemon—perfect for steady energy all day.

⏱️ 60 min 👥 7
Easy
Shakshuka with Feta and Spinach - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 6.4
Low Glycemic Gluten-Free Nut-Free

Shakshuka with Feta and Spinach

Eggs poached in spiced tomato-pepper sauce with wilted spinach and crumbled feta — a high-protein, near-zero glycemic load breakfast ready in under 30 minutes.

⏱️ 26 min 👥 2
Medium
Mercimek Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil Soup) - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 7.4
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Mercimek Çorbası (Turkish Red Lentil Soup)

Velvety Turkish red lentil soup with a smoky paprika drizzle — naturally low-GI (≈26), high in fiber, and ideal for steady blood sugar.

⏱️ 40 min 👥 4
Medium
İmam Bayıldı (Turkish Braised Stuffed Eggplant) - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 7.5
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

İmam Bayıldı (Turkish Braised Stuffed Eggplant)

Silky braised eggplant stuffed with a fragrant tomato-onion filling — a naturally low-glycemic Turkish classic rich in fiber and heart-healthy olive oil.

⏱️ 60 min 👥 2
Medium
Baba Ganoush with Crudités and Wholegrain Pita - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 9.6
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Dairy-Free

Baba Ganoush with Crudités and Wholegrain Pita

Smoky roasted eggplant mashed with tahini, garlic, and lemon, paired with crisp vegetable sticks for dipping — a naturally blood-sugar-steady Lebanese mezze.

⏱️ 35 min 👥 2
Medium
Spiced Moroccan Chicken Thighs with Citrus Carrot Salad - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 10.0
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Spiced Moroccan Chicken Thighs with Citrus Carrot Salad

Aromatic cinnamon-spiced chicken thighs with pine nut stuffing paired with a refreshing orange-carrot salad—a blood sugar friendly Mediterranean feast.

⏱️ 60 min 👥 4
Medium
Labneh with Za'atar, Olive Oil, and Wholegrain Pita - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 10.5
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Vegetarian

Labneh with Za'atar, Olive Oil, and Wholegrain Pita

Silky, protein-rich labneh pooled with olive oil and fragrant za'atar, served with portioned wholegrain pita — a blood-sugar-friendly Lebanese breakfast plate.

⏱️ 13 min 👥 2
Easy
Ful Medames (Egyptian Stewed Fava Beans) - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 13.3
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Ful Medames (Egyptian Stewed Fava Beans)

Egypt's ancient breakfast of creamy fava beans with cumin, lemon and olive oil — naturally low-glycemic, high in plant protein and soluble fiber.

⏱️ 20 min 👥 2
Medium
Moroccan-Spiced Lentil and Chickpea Stew with Roasted Vegetables - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 13.3
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Vegan

Moroccan-Spiced Lentil and Chickpea Stew with Roasted Vegetables

A fiber-rich, plant-based stew combining red lentils and chickpeas with aromatic spices—perfect for steady blood sugar and lasting satisfaction.

⏱️ 110 min 👥 8
Medium
Harira (Moroccan Lentil and Chickpea Soup) - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 13.7
Low Glycemic Gluten-Free Dairy-Free

Harira (Moroccan Lentil and Chickpea Soup)

A warmly spiced Moroccan soup brimming with red lentils and chickpeas — naturally low-GI, high in soluble fiber, and ideal for steady blood sugar.

⏱️ 50 min 👥 4
Medium
Low-GI Mujadara with Bulgur and Crispy Onions - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 14.9
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Vegetarian

Low-GI Mujadara with Bulgur and Crispy Onions

A blood-sugar-friendly Lebanese classic pairing brown lentils and coarse bulgur under a crown of crispy onions — high fibre, slow-digesting, deeply satisfying.

⏱️ 50 min 👥 2
Advanced
Fattoush with Wholegrain Pita Chips - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 15.8
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Dairy-Free

Fattoush with Wholegrain Pita Chips

A vibrant Lebanese bread salad loaded with crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a tangy sumac-lemon dressing — naturally low-glycemic with wholegrain pita chips.

⏱️ 17 min 👥 2
Advanced
Low-GI Ghormeh Sabzi (Persian Herb & Kidney Bean Stew) - Low Glycemic Recipe
GL: 19.3
Low Glycemic Diabetic-Friendly Gluten-Free

Low-GI Ghormeh Sabzi (Persian Herb & Kidney Bean Stew)

A blood-sugar-friendly Persian classic packed with fresh herbs, tender lamb, and low-GI kidney beans — no rice needed for a deeply satisfying meal.

⏱️ 65 min 👥 2
Advanced

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