Ramadan Iftar Recipes: Menu Ideas, Suhoor and Planning Tips

Ramadan in 2027 is expected to begin around February 8, 2027 (dates depend on moon sighting). Cooking for iftar every evening for a month is a marathon, so planning, batch cooking and a good recipe collection make a real difference.

Breaking the fast

Many people break the fast with:

• Dates and water or milk.
• A light soup: lentil soup (shorbat adas), harira, or chicken and orzo soup.
• Something small: samosas, sambousek, spring rolls or fattoush.

Iftar mains

1. Chicken and rice (kabsa, mandi-style or biryani).
2. Lamb or chicken tagine with apricots or olives.
3. Maqluba (upside-down rice with eggplant and chicken).
4. Baked kofta with tomatoes and potatoes.
5. Chicken shawarma platters.
6. Fish with rice (sayadieh-style).
7. Lentil and vegetable stews for lighter nights.
8. Stuffed vegetables (dolma, mahshi).

Sides and salads

1. Fattoush.
2. Tabbouleh.
3. Hummus and moutabal.
4. Roasted vegetables with za'atar.
5. Yogurt and cucumber salad.

Desserts

1. Qatayef (stuffed pancakes).
2. Kunafa.
3. Basbousa.
4. Ma'amoul (often for Eid).
5. Fruit salad with rose water.

Suhoor: keep it filling

Choose slow-release, high-protein and high-fiber foods, and drink plenty of water:

• Oats with milk, nuts and dates.
• Eggs with wholegrain bread.
• Foul medames (fava beans) with olive oil.
• Greek yogurt with fruit.
• Cheese, cucumber, tomatoes and bread.

See high-protein breakfast and high-fiber recipes.

Make Ramadan cooking easier

• Batch-cook soup twice a week.
• Freeze samosas and sambousek before Ramadan begins.
• Prep components: cook rice, marinate chicken, chop salad vegetables.
• Plan the week so ingredients overlap. See AI meal planner.

Keep your family's recipes together

Scan your mother's handwritten recipes and save videos from your favorite creators into a "Ramadan" collection in SmartChef AI. Ask Cook AI: "Plan 7 iftar menus for 6 people with make-ahead steps." The app is available in Arabic and 32 other languages.

Quick lentil soup (shorbat adas)

Sauté 1 chopped onion and 1 carrot in olive oil until soft. Add 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin and ½ tsp turmeric for a minute. Add 1 cup rinsed red lentils and 1.25 L stock or water. Simmer 20–25 minutes until the lentils collapse. Blend until smooth, season with salt and finish with lemon juice. Serve with lemon wedges and crispy pita. It reheats beautifully, so make a double batch for the week.

Hydration and balance

Long fasts make hydration important. Include water-rich foods at iftar and suhoor (soups, cucumber, watermelon, yogurt), and go easy on very salty and fried foods, which can increase thirst. Anyone with a medical condition should speak to their doctor about fasting.

Frequently asked questions

What is a traditional iftar?

Many break the fast with dates and water, then soup, followed by a main meal. The dishes vary by country and family.

What should I eat at suhoor to stay full?

Protein and fiber: eggs, oats, yogurt, beans and whole grains, with plenty of water.

How can I prepare for Ramadan cooking?

Freeze snacks and soups in advance, stock the pantry and plan weekly menus.