Travel may be off limits, but you can still eat your way around the globe.
With travel off limits, you may be experiencing some major wanderlust. And while you can't hop on a plane right now, you can make a delicious dinner inspired by different cuisines and cultures around the world. Here are 40 recipes to taste your way around the world without leaving the house.
Get creative with these rice paper rolls and use whatever protein you like best. You can try it with shrimp, smoked salmon, tofu, or keep it strictly vegetarian with some mango and avocado. Whatever you do, don't skimp on the homemade spicy peanut sauce. You'll want to put it on everything. Get the recipe for Thai chicken spring rolls here.
Proper Foodie / Via properfoodie.com
This hearty soup is made with leek, onion, celery, carrots, tomatoes, and kale in a cheesy vegetable broth. Make a big pot, turn on Under The Tuscan Sun, and serve with a bottle of Sangiovese. Get the recipe for Tuscan ribollita here.
Lazy Cat Kitchen / Via lazycatkitchen.com
You can follow the recipe verbatim and make the green curry paste from scratch, or save some time and money on ingredients by buying a store-bought version. Get the recipe for veggie Thai green curry here.
Le Creme de la Crumb / Via lecremedelacrumb.com
Use your favorite cut of chicken and marinate it in lime juice, habanero chiles, garlic, thyme, ginger, and sugar, then grilled until perfectly charred. Get the recipe for grilled Jamaican jerk chicken here.
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com
Start with egg or rice noodles, add ground meat, toss everything in a homemade sauce made with soy sauce, hoisin, and peanut butter, then top with chili oil. Get the recipe for dan dan noodles here.
Aberdeen's Kitchen / Via aberdeenskitchen.com
Crispy, tender carnitas take a bit of patience: Pork shoulder slow cooks in spices and citrus for up to eight hours. But once the wait is over you'll have perfectly cooked carnitas to serve in tortillas with your favorite taco toppings. Get the recipe for slow cooker pork carnitas here.
Pickled Plum / Via pickledplum.com
Okonomiyaki is a classic Japanese recipe you'll find in street food stalls from Tokyo to Osaka. It's a savory pancake made of shredded cabbage, scallions, flour, and egg, pan-fried until crispy and drizzled with anything from Sriracha and mayo to bonito flakes and pickled ginger. Get the recipe for okonomiyaki.
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com
If you're not a huge fan of shrimp, try making this pad Thai with chicken, pork, or tofu. It's coated in a sweet and savory dressing made with honey, vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce, and spicy chili flakes, Get the recipe for garlic butter shrimp pad Thai here.
The Seaman Mom / Via theseamanmom.com
These meatballs are made of ground beef, bread, egg, red onion, and spices, which are pan-fried and served in a creamy gravy. Get the recipe for Swedish meatballs here.
Kitchen Sanctuary / Via kitchensanctuary.com
This recipe, typical of West Africa, is made with diced chicken breast, creamy peanut butter, chopped tomatoes, chicken broth, chopped peanuts, and a whole lot of spices. Get the recipe for African chicken and peanut stew here.
Kitchen Sanctuary / Via kitchensanctuary.com
Don't be intimidated by the lengthy ingredient list because many of these condiments and spices are probably already in your kitchen. The key ingredient is gochujang paste, a Korean chili paste that gives this chicken a spicy kick. Get the recipe for spicy Korean fried chicken here.
12. Peruvian Grilled Chicken With Green Sauce
Platings and Pairings / Via platingsandpairings.com
If you're looking for a new recipe to spice up your chicken routine, try this Peruvian one. A whole chicken is quartered, marinated in soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and spices, grilled until crispy, and drizzled in a green sauce (aka aji verde) made with mayo, garlic, jalapeños, and cilantro. Get the recipe for Peruvian grilled chicken here.
Vikalinka / Via vikalinka.com
Egg noodles, julienned veggies, pork loin, and shrimp get stir fried in soy sauce and sesame oil, then served with chopped scallions and a drizzle of lime. If you want to make this dish even more indulgent, try it with pork belly. Get the recipe for Filipino noodles with pork and shrimp here.
Saving Dessert / Via savingdessert.com
Typical of eastern European cuisine, these hearty stuffed cabbage rolls are filled with ground beef, rice, and spices in a slightly sweet and tangy tomato sauce. Get the recipe for classic stuffed cabbage rolls here.
15. Easy Beef Pho
Pickled Plum / Via pickledplum.com
This flavorful broth tastes as if it simmered for hours, but you can actually whip up this Vietnamese rice noodle soup in about half an hour. Top it with any of your favorite veggies like bean sprouts, sliced jalapeño, and green onions. Get the recipe for easy beef pho here.
Lazy Cat Kitchen / Via lazycatkitchen.com
Don't be intimidated by the lengthy ingredient list because you can always opt for store bought condiments like zhoug sauce and tahini. Instead, focus on the pan-fried eggplant and spicy chickpeas, which are at the heart of this comforting Middle Eastern recipe. Spoon everything on pita bread and dig in. Get the recipe for sabich with spiced chickpeas here.
Midwest Foodie Blog / Via midwestfoodieblog.com
Fill wonton wrappers with a mixture of pork, shredded cabbage, green onion, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil, then fold them up and either pan fry or boil them. You can assemble the dumplings ahead of time and freeze them before cooking. Get the recipe for homemade pork dumplings here.
18. Chicken Biryani
Nish Kitchen / Via nishkitchen.com
This Indian take on chicken and rice is bursting with flavor, thanks to a handful of spices from turmeric and coriander to cinnamon and fennel seeds. Get the recipe for chicken biryani here.
19. Beef Bourguignon
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This ultimate comfort food takes a while to make, but there's nothing difficult about it. Lots of veggies (celery, carrots, mushrooms, and onions) get cooked with bacon and boneless chuck beef in a savory broth made with Cognac, red wine, and beef stock. Get the recipe for beef Bourguignon here.
20. Chilaquiles
Carlsbad Cravings / Via carlsbadcravings.com
You can make this Mexican dish made with tortilla chips, black beans, shredded cheese, and fried eggs with either red (enchilada) or green (salsa verde) sauce. Pro tip: It tastes just as delicious for dinner as it does for breakfast. Get the recipe for chilaquiles here.
21. Moqueca (Brazilian Fish Stew)
Little Ferraro Kitchen / Via littleferrarokitchen.com
This recipe calls for cod and sea bass, but you can really use whatever flaky white fish or shellfish you can get your hands on. The soup gets its flavor from a broth made of coconut milk, fish stock, lime, and plenty of spices. Get the recipe for Brazilian fish stew here.
22. Easy Shoyu Ramen
Couple Eats Food / Via coupleeatsfood.com
A far cry from the packaged ramen you ate in your college dorm room, this sophisticated noodle soup is loaded with mushrooms, baby bok choy, and a soft boiled egg. Dress it up further with anything from scallions and ginger to roasted seaweed and bonito flakes. If you're feeling extra hungry, you can always add your favorite protein. Get the recipe for easy shoyu ramen here.
23. Pasta Puttanesca
Baker By Nature / Via bakerbynature.com
This super flavorful sauce is made with anchovies, capers, garlic, and red pepper flakes in crushed tomatoes and white wine. Just add your favorite pasta! Get the recipe for pasta puttanesca here.
24. Thai Pork Larb
Spice the Plate / Via spicetheplate.com
This shredded pork salad gets its crunch and freshness from julienned veggies, mint, and a dressing made with fish sauce, cooking wine, and soy sauce. The recipe calls for it over rice noodles, but you can serve it in lettuce wraps or eat it straight with a fork. Get the recipe for Thai pork larb here.
25. Lamb Tagine With Dates and Apricots
Kevin Is Cooking / Via keviniscooking.com
This traditional Moroccan recipe is named for the vessel in which it's cooked, but even if you don't have a tagine at home, you can make this sweet and savory slow-cooked lamb in a Dutch oven or casserole dish. Get the recipe for lamb tagine with dates and apricots here.
26. Homemade Arepas
Spend With Pennies / Via spendwithpennies.com
These pan-fried corn flour cakes are a popular food throughout Latin America. You can make them at home with just pre-cooked corn meal, salt, water, and oil for frying. Then, get creative and add your favorite toppings from shredded pork to cheese and guacamole. Get the recipe for homemade arepas here.
27. Korean Beef Bulgogi
Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net
Boneless ribeye streak is marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and spicy chili paste. Then, it's cooked in a sizzling pan and garnished with scallions. Try serving it on a bed or rice or, if you're feeling fancy, in bibimbap. Get the recipe for beef bulgogi here.
Sally's Baking Addiction / Via sallysbakingaddiction.com
This fluffy, delectable focaccia comes together with just a few basic ingredients: Sugar, flour, yeast, olive oil, and salt. Then, get creative and top it with any of your favorite herbs. Get the recipe for homemade focaccia here.
Drizzle and Dip / Via drizzleanddip.com
In case you've never heard of bobotie before, imagine a frittata mixed with shepherd's pie. This super comforting dish is made with minced lamb or beef cooked in lots of spices and baked under a layer of egg custard. Get the recipe for South African bobotie with yellow rice here.
30. Coq au Vin
The Endless Meal / Via theendlessmeal.com
This classic French recipe is easily one of the most delicious ways to prepare chicken. Thighs and drumsticks get cooked with vegetables and bacon in a fragrant broth of chicken stock, brandy, and tomato paste for that special je ne sais quoi. Get the recipe for coq au vin here.
31. Spanish Gazpacho
Lavender and Macarons / Via lavenderandmacarons.com
There's an unlikely ingredient in this Spanish chilled soup: slightly stale bread. It adds a creaminess and luscious texture to this tomato-based dish. Get the recipe for Spanish gazpacho here.
32. Ratatouille
Once Upon a Chef / Via onceuponachef.com
This Provençal dish is made up of tender veggies — zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, and tomato — stewed in a tomato-based sauce. It's totally meatless, yet surprisingly filling. Get the recipe for ratatouille here.
33. Greek Chicken Kebabs
Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net
There's nothing fancy or difficult about this meal: Chicken is marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, shallot, and lots of spices, then grilled and paired with pita or rice. Serve it with a salad of fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and feta. Get the recipe for Greek chicken skewers here.
Kitchen Sanctuary / Via kitchensanctuary.com
This Japanese dish features pork loin steaks that get coated in egg and panko breadcrumbs, pan-fried until golden brown, and served over shredded cabbage with a drizzle of tonkatsu sauce, which you can make from scratch or buy pre-bottled. Get the recipe for crispy pork katsu curry here.
35. Creamy Tomato Risotto with Crispy Garlic Crumbs
Kitchen Sanctuary / Via kitchensanctuary.com
This creamy Italian risotto comes together with mostly kitchen staples: Arborio rice, tomato paste, vegetable stock, heavy cream, and a few other basic ingredients. Get the recipe for creamy tomato risotto here.
Cravings Journal / Via cravingsjournal.com
Transport yourself to Dublin with a cozy bowl of mashed potatoes topped with sausage and veggies in a rich chicken stock. This meal pairs best with a big pint of Guinness. Get the recipe for roasted bangers and mash here.
Feasting at Home / Via feastingathome.com, Feasting At Home / Via feastingathome.com
This eggplant is so tender it literally melts in your mouth, but the star of the show is the spicy glaze made of chili paste, Szechuan peppercorns, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sugar. Get the recipe for Chinese eggplant with spicy Szechuan sauce here.
38. German Spaetzle
The Stay At Home Chef / Via thestayathomechef.com
If you like mac 'n' cheese, you'll love this cheesy noodle dish. Instead of macaroni, it's made with tiny little dumplings, which get fried in butter until delightfully crispy-on-the-outside and doughy-on-the-inside. Get the recipe for German spaetzle here.
39. Turkish Menemen
Give Recipe / Via giverecipe.com
This dish of baked eggs in tomato sauce is similar to Israeli Shakshuka or Italian baked eggs in purgatory. The best part is that it's perfectly appropriate any time of day from breakfast to dinner. Get the recipe for Turkish menemen here.
40. Spicy Coconut Laska
This classic Malaysian recipe is made with chicken drumsticks and vermicelli noodles in a broth made with lemongrass, chicken broth, coconut milk, bird's eye chillis, and ginger. Garnish it with anything from chopped cilantro to fried onions. Get the recipe for spicy coconut laska here.
41. Slow Cooker Tikka Masala
Table For Two Blog / Via tablefortwoblog.com
There's no beating around the bush: This dish is time-consuming, but almost all of it is a waiting game. Throw the ingredients — chicken, yogurt, tomato purée, and loads of spices — into the slow cooker and wait for this rich and fragrant recipe to cook itself. Get the recipe for slow cooker tikka masala here.
Gimme Some Oven / Via gimmesomeoven.com
This garlicky shrimp is so simple. It comes together with shrimp (fresh or frozen), olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and sherry (or whatever dry white wine you have on hand). Serve it with some crusty bread for dipping in the garlic sauce. Get the recipe for gambas al ajillo here.
43. Homemade Gnocchi
Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com
Making gnocchi from scratch isn't rocket science. In fact, it's pretty easy. Just make the dough using boiled, grated potatoes, flour, ricotta, and egg. Then, shape it into little dumplings, boil them in water, and toss with your favorite pasta sauce. Get the recipe for homemade gnocchi here.
Closet Cooking / Via closetcooking.com, Via closetcooking.com
Even those who don't love seafood will have a hard time denying that this buttery, flaky fish coated in a sticky sweet miso glaze is absolutely delicious. Get the recipe for miso glazed black cod here.
