10 Easy Halal Food Recipes to Try

It’s estimated that 1 in 4 people, globally, consume Halal food, therefore, if you’re an individual or a restaurant-owner, learning what makes food halal is gonna be important to you in the coming years. And even more crucially, learning some of the simple yet delicious dishes out there can be a gamechanger.

That’s why in this article, we’re going to be talking about:

• What is halal?
• What healthy dietary requirement has the best appeal for most people?
• How to make delicious halal meals?

What is Halal?

To be clear, the concept of Halal is more full than simply what food is permissible or not. It involves everything in life for a Muslim, including all the processes involved in making any food.

For example, if a turkey (turkey is permissible) is offered to you, but it’s not prepared by a grown Muslim of sound mind, then the meal itself is haram. Yes, even if the turkey was prepared following the correct slaughtering method, but not the full slaughtering procedures, it would still not be halal.

This is important because when we look at the recipes below, ingredients, and preparation, you will have a holistic view about how the steps came about. And hopefully, you’ll have an appreciation for it too.

Let’s look at the halal recipes with the order of preparation difficulty reducing as we go up the list.

What healthy dietary requirement works best for everyday people?

According to Islamic jurisprudence, Halal is simply that which is permissible. And this extends to diet as well.

In truth, all things created by Allah are permissible, with the exception of that which is revealed to be Haram, or impermissible.

Here are the Surahs from which we get these principles:

أَلَم تَرَوا أَنَّ اللهَّ سَخَّرَ لَكُم ما فِي السَّماواتِ وَما فِي الأَرضِ وَأَسبَغَ عَلَيكُم نِعَمَهُ ظاهِرَةً وَباطِنَةًُ

“Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and what is on earth, and has showered upon you His favors, both apparent and unseen?“

(Al-Qur’an 31:20)

. . .which means everything is permissible.

وَما لَكُم أَلّا تَأكُلوا مِمّا ذُكِرَ اسمُ اللهَّ عَلَيهِ وَقَد فَصَّلَ لَكُم ما حَرَّمَ

“… He (Allah) has explained to you what He has made haram for you ”

(Al-Qur’an 6:119)

. . .which means that all exceptions to what is permissible is clearly stated.

This is so crucial for many reasons. But let’s consider the example of a restaurant-owner who wants to reassure their customers with healthy foods backed by reliable certification. It’s clear that this customer base will be people with diverse backgrounds, and sometimes “healthy” reads as “boring” or “bland” to a lot of people.

And to be fair, the more strict requirements of other non-Muslim dietary laws like Vegan or even Kosher diets, may seem that way to people.

Read more: The Differences and Similarities in Halal & Kosher Certifications

On the flip side, the liberty in what is permissible for food in Islam challenges that notion. Which means that a restaurant-owner or a mother with picky kids would benefit from knowing a good amount of halal recipes.

So here’s ten for you:

10 easiest Halal recipes to try

Vegetarian/Vegan Options

All non-plant foods are permissible with these few exceptions:

• Substances that negatively impact the nervous system, leading to impaired senses, memory, and judgment. Examples include fermented grapes, dates, and barley, which are used to produce wine, liquor, and other alcoholic beverages, as well as intoxicating drugs like opium and cocaine.
• Something that is detrimental to life or health. An example is poison.

• Lebanese Tabbouleh: A refreshing salad that is very easy to prepare.
  • Ingredients: Bulgur wheat, parsley, mint leaves, small onion, ripe tomatoes, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Instructions: Chop the parsley, mint, and tomatoes. Add chopped onions, bulgur wheat, lemon juice, and olive oil to a bowl, then season to taste.

• Shakshuka / Menemen: These are both egg-based dishes, perfect for breakfast or brunch, that are often cooked in one pan.
  • Ingredients (Shakshuka): Onion, red bell pepper, garlic, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, canned diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, eggs, and fresh parsley for garnish.
  • Instructions (Shakshuka): Sauté the onion and bell pepper until soft. Add garlic and spices, then diced tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Make wells in the tomato mixture, crack an egg into each, cover, and cook until eggs are set. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

• Ingredients (Menemen): Eggs, diced tomatoes, sliced green pepper, chopped onion, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Instructions (Menemen): Sauté onions and green pepper in olive oil until soft. Add diced tomatoes and fry until they break down. Crack eggs into the pan and mix quickly with the vegetables, simmering until the eggs are slightly firm.

• Pakistani Chana Masala: A spicy chickpea curry that is flavorful and straightforward to make.
  • Ingredients: Chickpeas, onion, garlic, grated ginger, tomatoes, cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, garam masala, salt, and pepper.
  • Instructions: Cook chickpeas until tender. In a pan, sauté onions, garlic, and spices until softened. Add canned tomatoes and the cooked chickpeas, then simmer until the sauce thickens and flavors meld. Serve with rice or naan bread.

• Bulgur Pilaf: A healthy and easy side dish.
  • Ingredients: Bulgur wheat, water, onion, diced tomato, tomato paste, salt, and pepper.
  • Instructions: Cook chopped onions in a pot until soft. Add diced tomato and tomato paste, stir for 5 minutes. Mix in bulgur wheat, water, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with grilled meats.

Chicken Options (Requires Certified Halal Chicken)

• Halal Cart Chicken: This traditional dish is simple to prepare and great served over rice.
  • Ingredients: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, plain yogurt, olive oil, white vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
  • Instructions: Whisk together the marinade ingredients, add chicken, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Spread the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and slightly charred. Serve over rice with pita bread, salad, and your choice of toppings like hummus, tahini sauce, or hot sauce.

• Lebanese Chicken Shawarma: A popular Middle Eastern sandwich that can be made with minimal fuss.
  • Ingredients: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, pita bread, and toppings like lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and tahini sauce.
  • Instructions: Marinate chicken with a mixture of yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and spices. Skewer the chicken and grill or roast until tender. Serve with pita bread, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and tahini sauce.

• Indian Butter Chicken: A beloved dish that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
  • Ingredients: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, onion, minced garlic, butter, grated ginger, cumin, coriander, garam masala, paprika, turmeric, tomato sauce, heavy cream, salt, and pepper.
  • Instructions: Marinate chicken in yogurt and spices. Sear the chicken in a pan. In the same pan, cook onions, garlic, and ginger until softened. Add tomato puree, cream, and more spices, then simmer until thickened. Add the chicken back and simmer until cooked through. Serve with rice and naan bread.

Beef/Lamb Options (Requires Certified Halal Meat)

• Kofte (Turkish Meatballs): Simple to prepare and packed with flavor.
  • Ingredients: Ground beef or lamb, small chopped/grated onion, cumin, paprika, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.
  • Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Shape the mixture into small round meatballs. Cook in a pan over medium heat, frying them on all sides for about 10 minutes. Serve with rice or a fresh green salad.

• Quick and Flavorful Halal Beef Stir-Fry: A very fast and versatile meal.
  • Ingredients: Thinly sliced beef, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and mixed vegetables.
  • Instructions: Sauté the beef with ginger and garlic. Add vegetables and soy sauce, then stir-fry until crisp.

• Grilled Halal Beef Skewers with Tzatziki: A simple grilled option.
  • Ingredients: Beef cubes, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, cucumber, and mint.
  • Instructions: Marinate beef in olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice. Skewer the beef and grill until charred. Serve with tzatziki sauce.

Get in Touch With AHF

If you’re looking to go even deeper, you can look up what it takes to get a Halal certification. Or head to the American Halal Foundation for common inquiries.