15 Easy International Recipes Anyone Can Cook at Home

Cooking food from around the world can be easy. You don’t need a passport, a professional kitchen, or hard-to-find ingredients to enjoy global flavors at home. In fact, some of the most comforting international dishes come from everyday pantry staples and simple techniques anyone can learn.

This collection of easy international recipes is designed for real life, busy evenings, curious beginners, and home cooks who want something tasty on the table. These are the kinds of meals people actually make and share. There’s no pressure and no need for perfection. Just warm, flavorful food that brings a touch of the world into your kitchen.

Honey Garlic Chicken – 🇨🇳 China-Inspired

Sweet, savory, and comforting. This sticky chicken is perfect for quick dinners.

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs or breasts
• Garlic (minced)
• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Cooking oil
• Black pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until golden.
3. Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
4. Pour in honey and soy sauce.
5. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the sauce is sticky and the chicken is cooked through.

Helpful Tip: Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too quickly.

One-Pan Chicken Shawarma – 🇲🇪 Middle East

Warm spices and juicy chicken, all cooked in one pan. It’s simple and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Olive oil
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Toss the chicken with oil and spices.
2. Roast in a hot oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
3. Flip once halfway through cooking.

Helpful Tip: Serve with flatbread or rice.

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio – 🇮🇹 Italy

A classic Italian dish made with just a few ingredients. It’s light, comforting, and quick to prepare.

Ingredients:

• Spaghetti
• Garlic, sliced
• Olive oil
• Chili flakes
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta until tender.
2. Heat the olive oil gently and add the garlic.
3. Sprinkle in the chili flakes.
4. Toss the pasta with the garlic oil.

Helpful Tip: Add pasta water for a smooth finish.

Chicken Tikka Skillet – 🇮🇳 India-Inspired

Bold flavor without a long cooking time. Perfect for beginners.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast (cubed)
• Yogurt
• Paprika
• Turmeric
• Garlic
• Oil

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken with yogurt and spices.
2. Heat oil in a pan.
3. Cook chicken for 10 to 12 minutes until done.

Helpful Tip: Serve with rice or warm flatbread.

Mexican Rice Bowl – 🇲🇽 Mexico

Colorful, filling, and simple to customize. Great for busy days.

Ingredients:

• Cooked rice
• Black beans
• Corn
• Tomato sauce
• Cumin

Instructions:

1. Heat the beans, corn, and tomato sauce.
2. Stir in the cumin.
3. Serve over warm rice.

Helpful Tip: Add avocado or a fried egg on top.

Greek Lemon Potatoes – 🇬🇷 Greece

Crispy edges and soft centers. Bright and comforting.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes (cut into wedges)
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Oregano

Instructions:

1. Toss the potatoes with oil, lemon, and seasoning.
2. Roast at high heat for 35 to 40 minutes.
3. Turn them once halfway through.

Helpful Tip: These go well with chicken or fish.

Chicken Teriyaki – 🇯🇵 Japan

Sweet, glossy, and deeply comforting. A family favorite.

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs
• Soy sauce
• Sugar or honey
• Cooking oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the chicken until it is lightly browned.
2. Add the soy sauce and sugar.
3. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Helpful Tip: If you have sesame seeds, sprinkle them on top.

Moroccan Chickpea Stew – 🇲🇦 Morocco

Warm spices and a hearty texture make this dish cozy and filling.

Ingredients:

• Canned chickpeas
• Onion (chopped)
• Garlic
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Tomato sauce
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil and soften the onion for 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and spices.
3. Stir in the chickpeas and sauce.
4. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Helpful Tip: Serve with bread or rice.

Korean Beef Bowl – 🇰🇷 Korea-Inspired

Sweet, savory, and quick. Perfect for weeknights.

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Garlic
• Cooking oil

Instructions:

1. Brown the beef in a pan for 6 to 8 minutes.
2. Add the garlic, soy sauce, and sugar.
3. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until glossy.

Helpful Tip: Serve over rice with vegetables.

French Buttered Green Beans – 🇫🇷 France

French Buttered Green Beans, France
Simple, fresh, and elegant. A gentle side dish.

Ingredients:

• Green beans
• Butter
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions:

1. Boil the beans until they are just tender.
2. Drain and mix with butter.
3. Season lightly.

Helpful Tip: Add lemon zest for brightness.

Filipino Chicken Adobo – 🇵🇭 Philippines

Savory, tangy, and deeply comforting. A classic home dish.

Ingredients:

• Chicken pieces
• Soy sauce
• Vinegar
• Garlic
• Bay leaf

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pot.
2. Simmer for 30 to 35 minutes.
3. Reduce the sauce slightly before serving.

Helpful Tip: It tastes even better the next day.

Brazilian Rice and Beans – 🇧🇷 Brazil

Simple, hearty, and nourishing. A true everyday meal.

Ingredients:

• Cooked rice
• Cooked beans
• Garlic
• Oil
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Heat oil and cook garlic briefly.
2. Add beans and warm them through.
3. Serve over rice.

Helpful Tip: Add fried eggs for extra comfort.

Turkish Eggplant Skillet – 🇹🇷 Turkey

Soft, savory, and gently spiced. Comfort food at its best.

Ingredients:

• Eggplant (cubed)
• Tomato sauce
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Paprika

Instructions:

1. Sauté eggplant until soft.
2. Add garlic and paprika.
3. Stir in tomato sauce.
4. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Helpful Tip: Serve with bread or rice.

Spanish Garlic Shrimp – 🇪🇸 Spain

Juicy shrimp with rich garlic flavor. Quick and impressive.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp
• Garlic slices
• Olive oil
• Chili flakes

Instructions:

1. Heat oil and garlic gently.
2. Add shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
3. Sprinkle chili flakes before serving.

Helpful Tip: Don’t overcook the shrimp.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Skillet – 🇯🇲 Jamaica-Inspired

Warm spices and bold flavor made easy at home.

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs
• Paprika
• Allspice
• Garlic powder
• Oil

Instructions:

1. Coat the chicken with oil and spices.
2. Cook in a skillet for 20 to 25 minutes.
3. Turn occasionally until fully cooked.

Helpful Tip: Serve with rice or roasted veggies.

Conclusion

Cooking international food at home can be enjoyable and easy. One simple recipe is enough to boost your confidence and spark your interest in the kitchen. Pick one dish that appeals to you, save this guide for later, and enjoy trying out simple world food recipes at your own pace.

If you enjoy comforting, easy international cooking, keep finding more global recipes at home, one warm meal at a time.