Suzy Karadsheh The Blogger Who Made Mediterranean Cooking Mainstream
Suzy Karadsheh didn’t come from a restaurant kitchen. She came from home kitchens—the kind where recipes are passed down, olive oil is sacred, and hospitality is a way of life. Through her wildly popular blog The Mediterranean Dish, she brought real Mediterranean food into the American mainstream, one simple recipe at a time.
Suzy Karadsheh
Share this article
Suzy Karadsheh At a Glance:
🇪🇬 Egyptian-born, raised on Mediterranean home cooking
💻 Founder of The Mediterranean Dish, a top U.S. food blog
📚 Bestselling cookbook author
🥗 Known for: Easy Mediterranean meals, sheet pan dinners, bold flavors
👩👧 Advocate for family-friendly, feel-good cooking
From Egypt to the American South
Suzy grew up in Port Said, Egypt, in a family where food meant connection. After moving to the U.S. and settling in Atlanta, she realized something was missing—her kitchen didn’t taste like home.
So she started The Mediterranean Dish in 2014, sharing simple recipes rooted in her heritage. Her site took off because she made the Mediterranean diet not just healthy, but doable for busy American families.
With every new reader, she proved that you don’t need a passport to cook food that’s fresh, bold, and deeply nourishing.
Port Said
Signature Dishes
Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic
A reader favorite—light, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes.
I love this recipe; it is lean and straightforward to make.
Check my Suzy Karadsheh-inspired recipe here.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, olives, herbs, and her signature vinaigrette—simple, colorful, and satisfying.
(Coming soon to Kitchen in the Med: my version of the chickpea salad)
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad from the Mediterranean Dish
Her Impact on American Food Culture
Suzy helped make Mediterranean food part of everyday life for millions of home cooks. Her recipes are fast, forgiving, and full of flavor—exactly what busy people need.
She changed the food conversation by:
Showing that Mediterranean meals can be simple and quick
Making ingredients like za’atar, sumac, tahini, and bulgur pantry staples
Breaking down cultural barriers with storytelling and accessibility
Teaching readers how to build a lifestyle—not just a diet—around Mediterranean values
Turning a personal blog into a national platform
She’s one of the most influential Mediterranean voices in American food culture—without ever opening a restaurant.
za’atar
Controversies & Bold Stances
Suzy avoids controversy, but she’s taken a clear stand for authenticity and clarity in online food content. She often pushes back against overly Americanized “Mediterranean” recipes that ignore the culture and balance at the heart of the cuisine.
She also keeps her platform focused on real people, real meals, and real life—avoiding the ego-driven trends common in food media.
Suzy Karadsheh
What she’s Doing Now
Suzy continues to run The Mediterranean Dish full time. Her cookbook is a national bestseller. She develops new recipes weekly, leads an active online community, and stays true to the mission that started it all: helping families eat better, feel better, and love what’s on their plate.
Suzy Karadsheh
Get Inspired: Cook Like Suzy Karadsheh
Want to make Mediterranean cooking part of your weeknight routine?
Try our upcoming recipes inspired by her work:
Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic
Check my Suzy Karadsheh-inspired recipe here.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad (coming soon)
FAQ
What is Suzy Karadsheh best known for?
Her food blog The Mediterranean Dish and approachable Mediterranean recipes.
Where is she from?
Born in Port Said, Egypt; based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Did she go to culinary school?
No. She’s a self-taught home cook with deep cultural roots.
What’s her most famous dish?
Baked cod, lentil soup, and her signature chickpea salad.
Is she a professional chef?
Not by training, but she’s one of the most influential voices in Mediterranean home cooking.
Does she write cookbooks?
Yes—her debut cookbook is a national bestseller.
Is she focused on healthy eating?
Yes. Her recipes follow the Mediterranean diet principles—balanced, whole foods, and lots of veggies.
Is she on social media?
Yes. She shares recipes and tips on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
What makes her cooking different?
It’s fast, practical, full of flavor, and always culturally rooted.
Can I cook like her at home?
Yes—and millions already do.
Check my Suzy Karadsheh-inspired recipes right here on this blog.
Share this article
Welcome to Kitchen in the Med!
I’m Alberto, born and raised in Barcelona, Spain, a principal city in the Mediterranean.
Here, I share authentic, easy-to-follow recipes inspired by the rich flavors of my home. You’ll find wholesome, time-honored dishes, expert cooking tips, and ingredient guides to help you bring the Mediterranean diet and other dishes to your kitchen—regardless of where you live.
You can also follow my quest to find a small plot of land to live and grow a garden in the Med.
