Ramadan: Traditional recipes and cooking tips

Cookpad Team -

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period for Muslims worldwide. It's a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal. During this month, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset, aiming to draw closer to Allah and strengthen self-discipline.

Each country and region brings its unique flavours and specialties to Ramadan, reflecting the cultural diversity and richness of the Muslim community.

Dates for Ramadan 2025: Expected from the evening of February 28 to March 30, 2025.

Daily routine during Ramadan

  • Suhur: The pre-dawn meal providing essential energy for the day's fast. It's crucial to include nourishing foods like whole grains, proteins, and hydrating fluids.
  • Fasting Period: From dawn to sunset, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking, focusing on prayer, reading the Quran, and community service.
  • Iftar: The meal to break the fast at sunset, traditionally starting with dates and water, followed by a variety of dishes to replenish energy.

Planning for Ramadan

Preparation is key to a fulfilling Ramadan experience. Here are some tips:

  • Stock Up on Essentials: Ensure you have staples like grains, legumes, dairy products, and fresh produce.
  • Prepare Doughs and Pastries in Advance: Items like brick sheets and puff pastry can be made ahead and frozen for convenience.
  • Homemade Sauces: Create and store tomato sauce and flavored olive oils to enhance your dishes.

Traditional Ramadan Dishes

Ramadan meals often showcase rich flavors and regional culinary traditions. Try these popular dishes and share them with friends and family!

Appetizers: Chorba (traditional soup), harira (Moroccan soup), and bourek (stuffed pastries)

Easy & Tasty Algerian White Chicken Soup (Chorba Bayda / Baidha) Recipe by mk
I’ve never cooked Algerian food before, and this soup is a new favourite dish. A prefect pairing of bitter (lemon) with with egg yolk to add creaminess to the soup. Comforting and tasty, it’s real chicken soup for the soul! Cooking discovery: cinnamon in a chicken soup works amazingly well! A versio…
Cookpadmk
Middle-Eastern Bourekas Recipe by Amateurish Chef
#mycookbook
CookpadAmateurish Chef

Main Courses: Hearty dishes like couscous with vegetable and chicken, kafta, or lamb tagine

Moroccan spiced Chicken with Sumac and Date Couscous Recipe by Sonia Duthie
Love fragrant spices, love lemony couscous, love using up what’s in the cupboards... this is what I came up with. Inspired by a recipe from BBC GoodFood...with my own tweaks added...
CookpadSonia Duthie
Kafta balls - Lebanese style meatballs Recipe by Linda L.
In Lebanon we call it Kafta, but in other countries in the Middle East, it can be referred to as Kofta/Kofte. Very popular especially in Ramadan 🌙 I used a mixture of lamb and beef here as we had both in the office kitchen but you can enjoy it with either of them or with any other types of mince. #…
CookpadLinda L.

Sides: Accompaniments such as tabbouleh and homemade pita bread.

Tabouleh Salad, Fresh and Delicious Recipe by Kimwlos Kimwlos
My most favourite fragranced salad ever, because I love #cookingwithherbs. You will also find it in my cookpad.gr account. https://cookpad.com/gr/sintages/10313799-tampoule
CookpadKimwlos Kimwlos

Desserts: Sweet treats like makrout (date pastries), baklava, and chebakia (sesame and honey cookies)

Palestinian Date cookies - Makrouta Recipe by Linda L.
Makrouta is the name of this type of date cookies. It’s originally from Palestine but very popular in the middle east. It’s prepared all year round but it’s a MUST for Eid with other types of cookies filled with dates or crushed nuts, such as Maamoul which is very similar but with more crumbly textu…
CookpadLinda L.
Walnut Pistachio Baklava: Recipe by Lubna’s Kitchen
Baklava, a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine, is a sweet and flaky pastry made from layers of filo pastry,nuts, and syrup. It is perfect for dessert, or an afternoon snack. #GlobalApron #Week27 #walnuts #walnut #dessert #Baklava #middleEastern #sweet #sweetTreat #Snack #TeaTime
CookpadLubna’s Kitchen

By embracing these traditions and preparing thoughtfully, you can make your Ramadan 2025 a spiritually enriching and culinarily delightful experience.

What are you cooking during Ramadan this year? Share your recipes with us on Cookpad! 🌙 🧡

Find out what other home cooks are making during Ramadan 👇

Delicious Ramadan recipes that will keep you satisfied
Explore tasty Ramadan recipes, from hearty mains to sweet desserts. Enjoy easy-to-make dishes perfect for iftar and suhoor.
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