85 Best Lebanese Recipes

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If you’re looking for the best collection of Lebanese recipes, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll find 85 authentic Lebanese recipes, from popular salads like Fattoush and Tabbouleh, to well-known grilled mains like kafta and kabobs to the best Lebanese desserts, like baklava and sfouf. Learn how to cook these authentic Middle Eastern dishes with my easy tutorials and approachable methods.

Both my parents are Lebanese, so I grew up watching them prepare these recipes over and over again. I’ve perfected their recipes through trial and error (since they don’t measure anything!) and simplified many to make them more approachable for weekday meals. And I’m so thrilled to share these easy Lebanese recipes with you so you feel comfortable preparing them for your family and friends.

What is Lebanese Food?

Lebanese food is Lebanon’s culinary cuisine, which is full of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and meats. Lebanese cooking is known for being one of the healthiest in the world, with rich culinary traditions throughout its region, bold flavors, and notable techniques.

These Mediterranean flavors and textures combine all the best ingredients for diverse and mouthwatering recipes. Meals in Lebanon are often a communal affair, with an emphasis on sharing and enjoying food with family and friends. That’s why a mezze platter, a shared appetizer, is one of the most popular traditional Lebanese recipes.

But beyond the appetizers, you’ll find lots of mouthwatering Lebanese dishes with rice, chicken, and other meats in this Middle Eastern cuisine. And because of the rich variety of fresh vegetables in Lebanese culture, you’ll have no trouble finding your favorite Lebanese vegetarian recipes.

Tips for Cooking Lebanese Recipes

1. Go fresh. Lebanese food is all about using fresh ingredients that are flavorful and vibrant. Use fruits and vegetables that are in season, and, if you can, buy from your local farmers’ market for the best quality.
2. Make your own spice mix. It’s so much better to make your own spice mixes as you can control exactly the flavor you want. It’s easy to make your food a little spicier or more herby this way.
3. Make sure your spices aren’t stale. Dried spices have a shelf life, so before you use them in your dishes, rub a little between your fingers. They should release an aroma; if they don’t, it’s time to buy some more.
4. Be adventurous! It can be daunting trying new foods, but these traditional Lebanese recipes are some of my favorites, and you know I wouldn’t give you anything that wasn’t delicious! Discovering new cuisines is one of my favorite things about cooking, so step out of your comfort zone and discover a new favorite!
5. Get Nutty. Almonds and pine nuts are commonly used in Lebanese cuisine. Hashweh is a great example of how nuts are incorporated into recipes using pine nuts. A buttery, mild flavor that enhances and balances the ground beef. Pistachios and walnuts are two popular nuts that reign over most others in Lebanese desserts.
6. Stock the Pantry. Enjoying Lebanese dishes is easy when you have the most common components on hand. A few ingredients to have stocked are bulgur, lentils, chickpeas, and olive oil. In the refrigerator, you’ll often find yogurt, beef, and lamb. And for produce, cucumber, tomato, onion, and eggplant.

How to Plan a Lebanese Sample Menu

Creating the perfect Lebanese menu is easy to accomplish when you follow these tips. You and your company will love sharing a meal together that is not only a conversation piece but offers so much flavor and variety to be enjoyed by all.

• Pick a variety of dishes that showcase the rich flavors and diversity of the Lebanese cuisine. This list of authentic Lebanese recipes will have everything from staples to Lebanese chicken recipes to desserts.
• Serve a mezze platter. For a grand meal, a mezze can include cold and hot traditional Lebanese recipes such as skewered meats, seafood, and traditional dishes such as kibbeh, kafta, labneh, and tabbouleh.
• Time it right. It’s common for a Lebanese dinner to start late in the afternoon and last for about 2 hours. The food is served as it is made, usually with the cold items first, followed by the hot foods, and then desserts.
• Bundle ingredients for multiple dishes. You can have a lot of options and use the same foods. Use ground beef in two different recipes and double up the staples like seasonings. This streamlines your cooking.
• Use similar cooking styles. When creating a Lebanese sample menu, choose recipes that cook the same. Instead of a combination of stove top, grilling, oven, or no-bake cooking methods, create a menu that will make it easy to put together a few recipes with fewer steps.
• Create a balanced meal. Make sure your menu includes protein-rich dishes complemented by grains such as rice and bulgur and paired with a colorful display of vegetables, fresh herbs, and vibrant fruits.

Traditional Lebanese Recipes

• Traditional Lebanese Hummus – This Middle Eastern spread is a true authentic recipe that has made headway all over the world. You can easily find premade hummus in stores, but it is also simple to make with just a few common ingredients. This is truly the best authentic creamy hummus dip that is made with just a few ingredients.
• Kibbeh – A mixture of ground beef or ground lamb, onions, and bulgur that is used as a casing for stuffing. It’s flavored with aromatic Middle Eastern spices for the quintessence of Lebanese and Middle Eastern comfort food.
• Chicken Kafta – A dish made with just four common ingredients and shaped into a ball or log, customarily shaped around a skewer and grilled, but may also be cooked in a grill pan. A must-try from your list of Lebanese chicken recipes.
• Warak Enab – Commonly known as stuffed grape leaves, this is one of those Lebanese vegetarian recipes that can easily be modified to include meat. The leaves are softened and rolled with either rice and veggies or rice and meat.
• Tabbouleh – This traditional Lebanese tabbouleh salad is a healthy vegan Mediterranean recipe made with bulgur, parsley, mint, and chopped vegetables. Packed with flavor, tabbouleh can be served as an appetizer using pita to dip in, or on top of lettuce as a meal.
• Fattoush – Essentially a bread salad, it commonly uses a pita torn into pieces and fried. It is then served over lettuce, parsley, cucumbers, tomatoes, and radishes. The ingredients can vary depending on what you have available and it is a great way to use up leftover veggies.
• Lebanese Knafeh – This popular dessert is made with crunchy shredded phyllo dough then layered with cheese, soaked with rosewater simple syrup, and topped with crushed pistachios.
• Lebanese Baklava – Make homemade baklava in a fraction of the time with this deliciously easy method! Filled with walnuts and finished with an orange blossom simple syrup.

Best Lebanese Recipes

Here are some classic Lebanese recipes that are very common in Lebanese restaurants and households. These do require some special ingredients like bulgur, grape leaves, or phyllo dough, but as always, I offer shortcuts and modern updates to make the recipes quicker and more approachable. This collection of traditional Lebanese recipes offers everything from common every-day staples to appetizers, dishes with hearty grains, and mouthwatering soups. You’ll also find your favorite Lebanese chicken recipes, entrees made with other meats, and satisfying Lebanese vegetarian recipes. There is something for everyone in this roundup!

Easy Lebanese Staples

• Za’atar – This seasoning blend is flavorful and delicious in various dishes, from dips and spreads to meats and vegetables. It’s an easy way to add unique flavor to your meals, and I find that it really elevates Lebanese dishes with meat.
• 7-Spice Blend – Used in many Middle Eastern recipes, 7-spice blend gives that authentic flavor and adds depth to grains, soups, and meats.
• Labneh – Yogurt is strained to remove most of the moisture, resulting in a thick, tangy, and creamy dip. This “cheese” can be compared to cream cheese and is great used as a dip for veggies, pita chips, and more.
• Toum Sauce – This garlic sauce is a popular condiment in Lebanese restaurants, often served with Lebanese chicken recipes. It’s made with only 4 ingredients: garlic, oil, lemon, and salt.
• Pickled Turnips – If you see pink pickles served with your shawarma in Middle Eastern restaurants – they are pickled turnips, and they make a zingy, tart, and slightly sweet accompaniment to your Lebanese dishes with meat.
• Homemade Pita – Pillowy soft pita bread is a must in any Middle Eastern kitchen, and it comes together easily with flour, yeast, sugar, and olive oil. You won’t regret giving this simple recipe a try!
• Flatbread – If making pita sounds a bit too intimidating, start with a general flatbread recipe. Or if you want to skip the yeast together, consider whipping up a batch of this 2-ingredient yogurt flatbread.
• Pita Chips – Take your pita chips to the next level by crisping them up to golden perfection in the oven. It has just the right texture and flavor for all those authentic Lebanese dips.
• Tahini Sauce – This authentic Lebanese tahini sauce is made with only 3 ingredients and no special equipment. Use as a dip, spread, or even a dressing for all your favorite Lebanese dishes with rice, meats, and veggies!

Lebanese Appetizers

• Mezze Platter – A simple board of easy Lebanese recipes, including hummus, tabbouleh, labneh, olives, raw vegetables, pita bread, and other Mediterranean-style eats. 
• Baba Ghanoush – This Lebanese-inspired dip is a tasty alternative to hummus. It’s a smokey, creamy eggplant dip made with just four simple ingredients and is served with pita bread and fresh veggies.
• Meat Pies – Lebanese dishes with meat are so flavorful and this one is no exception. Baked and filled with spiced meat, these meat pies are great to serve as an appetizer, with yogurt for dipping.
• Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves – Perfect for an appetizer, this is a classic Mediterranean stuffed grape leaf recipe with short grain rice, parsley, tomatoes, and onions.
• Rakakat Cheese Rolls – This is an irresistible cheesy appetizer in a crunchy roll that’s easy to make and has only a few ingredients. Perfectly crunchy, made with simple ingredients, and oh-so-delicious!
• Fatayer Spinach Pie – A simple homemade dough with a zingy spinach filling that will fill your house with the best Middle Eastern fragrance.
• Zaatar Spring Rolls – An oven-baked Lebanese inspired appetizer filled with cheese and mint wrapped in a crispy wonton wrapper. Dip them in labneh sauce for a delicious bite.
• Halloumi Fries – A must-make from your collection of easy Lebanese recipes. Dip these fried cheese sticks in a zesty marinara and serve as finger food or as a Lebanese-inspired appetizer.

Lebanese Dishes with Rice and Grains

• Mujadara – This is a vegan Lebanese dish made with caramelized onions, lentils, and rice. This makes for a wholesome entree or could be served with cooked vegetables or a salad. After one bite, you’ll agree that this is one of the best Lebanese vegetarian recipes.
• Ground Beef and Rice – When it comes to easy Lebanese dishes with rice, nothing beats a classic beef dish. This one is made with chickpeas, onion, and beef, and is full of flavor. It’s a quick, easy-to-make one-pot meal the whole family will love!
• Sayadieh – This is one of the authentic Lebanese recipes I grew up eating. Pan-fried fish is served over fluffy rice and topped with toasted nuts for this authentic Sayadieh, or “fish and rice” recipe.
• Lebanese Rice – Some of the best Lebanese dishes with rice are also the most simplest in form. This staple Middle Eastern (Arabic) side dish is made with only three ingredients: rice, vermicelli noodles, and olive oil! 
• Bulgur Pilaf – Hearty, healthy, and delicious, this is one of those easy Lebanese recipes you need to have in your back pocket for when you need a quick side dish.
• Mujadara Hamra – Perfect for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike, this hearty dish tops all the Lebanese vegetarian recipes. Caramelized onions, lentils, bulgur, and warm spices make this one nutritious and comforting dish!
• Stuffed Eggplant – This authentic eggplant recipe is a family favorite Lebanese dish made with spiced beef & rice stuffing and cooked in a garlicky tomato broth!
• Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – A mixture of rice, ground beef, and spices are stuffed inside cabbage leaves cooked in a lemon garlic sauce. One of my favorite classic Lebanese dishes with rice.
• Kousa – This popular Middle Eastern dish is one of the traditional Lebanese recipes I grew up eating. It’s a labor of love but so worth it – with every bite of tender squash filled with delicious meat and rice.

Easy Lebanese Recipes for Soups and Stews

• Lebanese Green Bean Stew – This one-pot meal made with chicken, tomatoes, and aromatic spices makes a wholesome dish that is traditionally served over rice. Add this to your list of Lebanese chicken recipes today!
• Chicken Bean Stew – Made with simple ingredients, this chicken and tomato stew requires minimal prep and is perfect for a family weeknight meal. It’s one of my favorite easy Lebanese recipes and will be yours, too!
• Crushed Lentil Soup – Make this authentic vegan Lebanese Soup with simple pantry ingredients in 30 minutes. It’s hearty, filling, and a family favorite.
• Peas and Carrots Stew – Add this one to your list of easy Lebanese recipes! It’s a hearty and nutritious stew that’s chock full of peas, carrots, and chunks of beef that is utterly comforting.
• Moghrabieh – One of the best traditional Lebanese recipes and a firm family favorite! High in protein and wonderfully spiced, your whole family will love this stew.
• Kafta and Potato Stew – This potato stew made with seasoned meatballs are cooked in a rich tomato sauce for a healthy and delicious meal the whole family will love.
• Freekeh Chicken Soup – Lebanese chicken recipes offer simplicity and deliciousness in one bowl and this one is no different. The warm broth has a bright tomato base, hearty freekeh, fresh onions, and parsley that combine to make this soup irresistible.
• Okra Stew – This hearty Lebanese recipe promises robust flavors of stewed tomatoes, cilantro, garlic, and sauteed onions. Serve over Lebanese rice for a satisfying meal.
• Lebanese Spinach Stew – This is one of my favorite traditional Lebanese recipes I grew up with. It’s hearty, nutritious, wholesome, and made with simple ingredients that are perfect for feeding a crowd!

Lebanese Chicken Recipes

• Molokhia – Tender chicken cooked with jews mallow in a lemony broth and served over Lebanese rice is comforting and unique. It’s one of those authentic Lebanese recipes that you can make to impress your friends!
• Lebanese Chicken Fatteh – An irresistible combo of flavors made with yogurt, spiced shredded chicken, chickpeas, toasted pine nuts & pita bread!
• Grilled Chicken Kabobs – When it comes to Lebanese chicken recipes, nothing is as classic as skewered chicken. This easy chicken recipe is marinated with bright Mediterranean spices for the best flavor and cooked on a skewer with fresh veggies.
• Lebanese Freekeh with Chicken – Another popular Lebanese recipe that is a perfect family meal is made with freekeh, chicken, and served with toasted nuts & herbs.
• Chicken Shawarma – Make this oven-roasted Chicken Shawarma easily and quickly at home with my easy and authentic marinade recipe – it’s perfectly spiced, tender, and so flavorful.
• Shish Tawook – One of the most popular authentic Lebanese recipes is this dish made with juicy yogurt marinated chicken and cooked on skewers on the grill. Mouthwatering and so simple to make!
• Hummus Crusted Chicken – This chicken recipe is great for an easy weeknight meal and is infused with Lebanese flavors. It’s one of those go-to Lebanese dishes with meat that’ll make the whole family happy.
• Za’atar Chicken – Perfectly seasoned and irresistibly delicious, chicken things are packed with Middle Eastern flavor that is oh-so-delicious! Add this to your repertoire of irresistible Lebanese chicken recipes today!
• Chicken Shawarma Salad – This is a great way to use up chicken shawarma leftovers! Build a salad with warm spices, lettuce, chicken, and tahini dressing.

Lebanese Dishes with Meat

• Beef Kafta – A classic blend of Middle Eastern spices mixed with ground beef shaped into logs that are perfect for grilling or on the stove.
• Grilled Lamb Kabobs – Enjoy these juicy and tender lamb kabobs that are marinated in Mediterranean flavor and skewered with onions, and then grilled to perfection.
• Hummus with Ground Beef – Lebanese dishes with meat can be flavorful and simple to make! This popular Middle Eastern meal is made with your creamy hummus, beef, and pine nuts, and it’s oh-so-good!
• Eggplant Moussaka – A delicious, quick, and easy dinner made with layers of eggplant and spiced ground beef and topped with a velvety bechamel sauce.
• Hashweh – Traditional Hashweh is made with simple ingredients with classic Lebanese spices. You can serve it on your own or add it to an entree recipe.
• Arayes – Quick and easy to make, these Lebanese meat-stuffed pitas are one delicious recipe that’s ready to enjoy in minutes, and every bite is truly tasty! It’s one of those deceiving Lebanese dishes with meat that are actually quite easy to make!
• Lebanese Potato Souffle – The ultimate comfort food made with whipped mashed potatoes, spiced beef filling, and crispy breadcrumbs on top. A must-make that is oh-so-delicious!
• Kibbeh in Yogurt Sauce – If you’re looking for traditional Lebanese recipes with that wow factor – this one is it! This is an authentic family Lebanese recipe that is comforting and has layers of flavor made with stuffed beef in a creamy yogurt sauce.
• Baked Kibbeh – A quintessential Lebanese recipe that is popular throughout the Middle East – made with beef, cracked wheat, onion, and spices, then baked to delicious perfection.
• Shish Barak – Add this comfort food to your list of authentic Lebanese recipes. Lebanese dumplings simmered in creamy mint yogurt sauce for a dish that is oh-so-good!

Lebanese Vegetarian Recipes

• Bulgur Chickpea Salad – Full of classic Lebanese flavors, this no-cook chickpea salad is hearty and made with fluffy bulgur, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
• Quinoa Tabbouleh – A re-make of a classic Lebanese salad. Bulgur is swapped with nutrient-dense quinoa. It’s light, lemony, healthy, and will quickly become one of your favorite Lebanese vegetarian recipes.
• Lebanese Ful Medames – Traditional and popular Middle Eastern breakfast recipe that’s made with cooked fava beans and cumin, then topped with a garlicky, lemon olive oil sauce!
• Batata Harra – These potatoes pack in some heat and are full of flavor that is super easy to make and uses common spices. It’s one of those easy Lebanese recipes that you’ll be going back to on repeat.
• Crispy Falafel – Made with chickpeas, herbs, onion & spices, this popular Lebanese recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and protein-rich. Try it stuffed in a pita with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and falafel sauce.
• Kale Tabbouleh Salad – A modern twist on the traditional Middle Eastern recipe, using kale instead of parsley along with tomatoes, bulgur, mint, lemon, and olive oil.
• Air Fryer Falafel – Crispy and perfectly golden brown, you can skip the hassle of deep frying and enjoy this better-for-you iconic street food made in your air fryer.
• Lebanese Cabbage Recipe – This salad is one of my favorite Lebanese vegetarian recipes because it’s quick to make and is so vibrant and fresh. It’s a perfect side to pair with your favorite Lebanese dishes with meat.

Lebanese Desserts

• Namoura (Semolina Cake) – Whether you call it Namoura, Basbousa, or just Semolina cake, this recipe will delight you. Made with semolina flour and almonds, soaked in simple syrup.
• Homemade Lebanese Kanafa – a simplified version of the Middle Eastern dessert made with layered shredded dough and mozzarella cheese soaked with syrup. The second most popular Lebanese dessert after Baklava.
• Ghraybeh Cookies – Made with only three ingredients for the base, Ghraybeh is a popular Middle Eastern shortbread cookie with a smooth and buttery texture, and delicate, sweet flavor.
• Lebanese Rice Pudding – You don’t really think Lebanese dishes with rice to be sweet but this one takes the cake. It strikes the perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors with rose water, and pistachios!!
• Sfouf – A Middle Eastern semolina turmeric cake, made with simple ingredients, no eggs, and no butter. It’s vegan-friendly, light, and delightful.
• Atayef – Though a labor of love, the effort is totally worth it with this mouthwatering Lebanese dessert. Pancake-like batter is filled with cheese and baked to golden perfection.
• Lebanese Fruit Cocktail – This is a refreshing medley of juicy fruits in a sweet strawberry puree, topped with creamy ashta and a nutty crunch.
• Ashta – This is a popular Lebanese dessert topping made with milk, orange blossom water, flour and sugar. It’s a delicious Middle Eastern addition to other traditional Lebanese recipes.
• Semolina Pudding – Also called Layali Lubnan in Lebanese, is a deliciously creamy and fragrant dessert with a crunchy pistachio topping.
• Pistachio Baklava – Add this to your collection of authentic Lebanese recipes. It has a perfect blend of salty, crunchy, sweet yet buttery texture and baked to golden brown perfection.
• Maamoul – These delicious cookies are found in many Middle Eastern cuisines, including Lebanon, and they are known for their crispy and buttery texture and sweet filling made with nuts or dates.

Other Authentic Lebanese Recipes

• Creamy Yogurt Pasta – This yogurt sauce is like alfredo and is known as Lebanese spaghetti. Simple to make and so creamy and flavorful. Serve with chicken or beef for a complete meal.
• Grilled Halloumi – Quick and easy to prep and grill, this cheese has a wonderful creamy texture with just the right amount of saltiness.
• Zaatar Manakeesh – Mediterranean flatbread that’s made with a simple dough and zaatar spice is an easy recipe to make from scratch using very few ingredients!
• Ejjeh – This Lebanese omelette is made with lots of fresh herbs and seasonings, offering a flavorful twist to your breakfast routine. It’s a must-try among easy Lebanese recipes.
• Roasted Garlic Hummus – Looking for hummus with a little more robust flavor? You’ll love this garlicky-one or try beet hummus, white bean hummus, or red pepper hummus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Be adventurous and dive head into the best aromatic and full-bodied flavors of Lebanese cuisine. You’ll learn how to cook with diverse flavors and traditional cooking techniques that are modernized for the average home cook. These authentic Lebanese recipes will appeal to your senses and bring together the family to enjoy a wonderous world of healthy recipes.

Full List of Recipes

Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipe cards to take you directly to those recipes.

For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Recipes with Canned Chickpeas, Healthy Ramadan Recipes, Easy No Bake Desserts, and Healthy Soup Recipes.

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