Dolmas are a common sight on any traditional mezze spread. While making dolmas may seem like an intimidating art form, they’re actually straightforward enough that it’s absolutely worth trying to make them at home—the results are usually far better than what you’d find at your average grocery store.


How to Make Stuffed Grape Leaves: Classic Dolmas Recipe

Dolmas, also known as stuffed grape leaves, refers to the family of stuffed appetizers served across Balkan, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines. The most familiar type of dolmas to Western palates are likely the Greek-style dolmades, Lebanese *warak enab*, or Turkish *sarma*—a mellow, spiced rice with either meat or vegetables wrapped in briny, cured grapevine leaves. Some dolma variations use stuffed vegetables (like Syrian *halep dolması*, which features eggplant), stuffed seafood (like Turkish stuffed mussels, *midye dolma*), and offal (like Armenian *dalak dolması*, stuffed spleen).

Depending on where you are in the world, stuffed grape leaves feature a simple rice and onion pilaf that includes meat (usually ground beef or ground lamb), vegetables, or neither—cooked in broth until soft. Serve stuffed grape leaves with [a yogurt sauce like tzatziki](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-greek-tzatziki), tomato sauce, [fresh feta](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese), or with a healthy drizzle of olive oil. 

Dolmas are a common sight on any traditional mezze spread. While making dolmas may seem like an intimidating art form, they’re actually straightforward enough that it’s absolutely worth trying to make them at home—the results are usually far better than what you’d find at your average grocery store.


Dolmas, also known as stuffed grape leaves, refers to the family of stuffed appetizers served across Balkan, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines. The most familiar type of dolmas to Western palates are likely the Greek-style dolmades, Lebanese warak enab, or Turkish sarma—a mellow, spiced rice with either meat or vegetables wrapped in briny, cured grapevine leaves. Some dolma variations use stuffed vegetables (like Syrian halep dolması, which features eggplant), stuffed seafood (like Turkish stuffed mussels, midye dolma), and offal (like Armenian dalak dolması, stuffed spleen).

What Are Dolmas?

Depending on where you are in the world, stuffed grape leaves feature a simple rice and onion pilaf that includes meat (usually ground beef or ground lamb), vegetables, or neither—cooked in broth until soft. Serve stuffed grape leaves with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-greek-tzatziki' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-greek-tzatziki","linkCopy":"a yogurt sauce like tzatziki","category":null}'>a yogurt sauce like tzatziki</a>, tomato sauce, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese","linkCopy":"fresh feta","category":null}'>fresh feta</a>, or with a healthy drizzle of olive oil.

What Goes Into Dolmas?

Classic Dolmas Recipe

Dolmas are a common sight on any traditional mezze spread. While making dolmas may seem like an intimidating art form, they’re actually straightforward enough that it’s absolutely worth trying to make them at home—the results are usually far better than what you’d find at your average grocery store.