Find the best Lebanese recipes in this heritage-inspired collection of recipes, from tabbouleh and stuffed grape leaves to baklava and sfouf.
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If you’re new here and don’t know, I’m Lebanese, and a lot of the food I cook is rooted in that. These are the Lebanese dishes I grew up eating, the ones that showed up at family gatherings, holidays, and regular weeknight dinners without much explanation. This roundup brings together some of my Lebanese heritage recipes from appetizers like stuffed grape leaves and tabbouleh, to mains like kafta and shish tawook, and desserts like baklava and sfouf. They’re the recipes I learned at home and still make in my own kitchen, with the same flavors I’ve always known. I actually have over 80 Lebanese recipes on my website, but I didn’t want to overwhelm you guys. If you want more options, you can browse my full Lebanese recipe page!
When I think of authentic Lebanese recipes, I think of the dishes that have been passed down for generations. Simple, flavorful, and made with love. These are some of my favorite appetizers, breakfasts, mains, and desserts that always bring everyone to the table.
This authentic tabbouleh salad is a fresh Middle Eastern classic made with parsley, tomatoes, bulgur, and a bright lemon dressing; serve as a side or light meal!
Authentic falafel recipe made with dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight and blended with fresh parsley, cilantro, garlic, onion, and Middle Eastern spices, which is then fried until extra crispy.
This homemade labneh is a tangy Mediterranean-style yogurt cheese made with just two simple ingredients, full fat yogurt and salt. It takes a little waiting, but is so worth it.
These Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves are a Mediterranean classic, and this is my Lebanese version made with short grain rice, parsley, tomatoes, and onions!
Ful Medames is a popular Middle Eastern breakfast recipe that's made with cooked fava beans and cumin, then topped with a garlicky, lemon olive oil sauce!
Zaatar Manakeesh is a Mediterranean flatbread that’s made with dough and zaatar spice. It’s an easy recipe to make from scratch using very few ingredients!
This is a Lebanese style Beef Kafta recipe that's made with ground beef, parsley, onions and a blend of Middle Eastern spices- perfect on the grill or stove
This traditional Lebanese kafta and potato stew is a hearty meal that the whole family will love! Seasoned patties/meatballs are cooked in a rich tomato sauce for a healthy and delicious meal.
This authentic Lebanese Chicken Fatteh is an amazing combo of flavors made with yogurt, spiced shredded chicken, chickpeas, toasted pine nuts & pita bread!
Try this Authentic Shish Tawook recipe a popular Lebanese grilled chicken skewers recipe. It's tender juicy chicken marinated in yogurt, lemon and garlic.
This creamy pasta with white yogurt sauce also known as Lebanese spaghetti is the perfect substitute for Alfredo sauce. It's creamy, tangy & easy to make!
This Lebanese Anise Cookies recipe is a Middle Eastern spiced cookie traditionally made during Eid al-Fitr and Easter. Also called Ka'ak il Eid, these cookies are crisp, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
Lebanese Rice Pudding {Riz Bi Haleeb} with rose water, and pistachios! This Middle Eastern rice pudding is easy, homemade, and full of creamy goodness!
This Homemade Lebanese Knafeh is a simplified version of the Middle Eastern dessert made with layered shredded dough and mozzarella cheese soaked with syrup
40 minutesminutes
5 from 253 votes
Tips for Making Lebanese Recipes
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.
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!
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.
FAQs
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.
What is the most popular Lebanese recipe?
Hummus is hands down the most well-known and loved recipe that originated in Lebanon. A well-regarded street food in Lebanese cuisine is shawarma and it’s one of the most popular Lebanese chicken recipes.
Is Lebanese food spicy?
Mostly, no. But authentic Lebanese recipes are full of flavor with aromatic herbs and spices such as cumin, cinnamon, mint, and garlic, to name a few. Also, za’atar is often used and is a traditional spice blend composed of roasted thyme, oregano, and sumac (a tart, lemony vinegar-flavored spice blend).
For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out:
My mother used to make a simple Lebanese salad with pita bread, tomatoes, olive oil, and onions. I cannot find the recipe anywhere. We called it “boom-ligh”. The spelling is probably wrong. Are you familiar with this? It is very simple, but delicious.
Great question, Shirley! Yes, swapping all-purpose gluten-free flour 1:1 should work for most of these recipes. Be sure to check the ingredients and FAQ sections in each of the individual recipes as well as the comments to see additional notes on making each recipe gluten free. Hope that helps!
Hi Yuma
i like your videos, and i like Lebanese food
i am from Bosnia and Herzegovina
snd i live in Denver Colorado.
Please can you help me how i can have all your receipts
to easy find on my IPod or phone
i follow lot of arabic blog on Instagram but they are on arabic language
You are Excellent
you show on videos tips in kitchen and how cook
Thank you do much
i prisoate if you give me idvises to follow you
Selam
Meliha
This is a common thing I see in many articles, Lebanese food became a brand therefore people put the recipes of it’s neighboring countries under this umbrella and I think it’s misguiding. Yes, food in the Levant is shared, but a few of these recipes undisputedly originated in Palestine and Syria, which are also much older civilizations than Lebanon.
I agree. Those dishes are well known for what’s used to be known as the Levant area ( Palestine, Syria & Lebanon). I grew up in Beit Jala, Palestine & my mother prepared ALL of these dishes!
Mujadara is kown to be an authentic Egyptian dish. It’s called ( the poor man’s food).
You’re right Ziad. The Levant region , (Palestine, Syria & Lebanon), have that food commonality!
I grew up in Beit Jala , Palestine eating All of the above dishes.
The food quality & taste is zero when it’s served in restaurants, no comparison to home cooked meals!
I grew up hearing that the (mujadara dish) is the poor man’s food! It originated in Egypt, same with the fool mudamas.
My mother used to make a simple Lebanese salad with pita bread, tomatoes, olive oil, and onions. I cannot find the recipe anywhere. We called it “boom-ligh”. The spelling is probably wrong. Are you familiar with this? It is very simple, but delicious.
I’m sorry, I’m not familiar with this! The only Lebanese salad I know with pita bread is Fattoush (here’s my recipe: https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/lebanese-fattoush-salad/). “Boom-ligh” also sounds similar to “Tabbouleh” (here’s my recipe: https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/traditional-lebanese-tabbouleh-salad/), could that be what you’re looking for?
Thrilled to have found these!! Thank you so much!
Yay! You’re so welcome, Lawrie!!
I’m gluten intolerant, can I swap out the all-purpose flour for gluten-free 1:1 flour for recipes that call for flour? Will that work out?
Great question, Shirley! Yes, swapping all-purpose gluten-free flour 1:1 should work for most of these recipes. Be sure to check the ingredients and FAQ sections in each of the individual recipes as well as the comments to see additional notes on making each recipe gluten free. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much Yumna for these amazing Recipes. They are so easy to make and the videos are helpful as well. Thanks again and again.
You’re so welcome, Amal!
Hi Yuma
i like your videos, and i like Lebanese food
i am from Bosnia and Herzegovina
snd i live in Denver Colorado.
Please can you help me how i can have all your receipts
to easy find on my IPod or phone
i follow lot of arabic blog on Instagram but they are on arabic language
You are Excellent
you show on videos tips in kitchen and how cook
Thank you do much
i prisoate if you give me idvises to follow you
Selam
Meliha
Thank you so much for the kind words Meliha. You can sign up for my newsletter if you want to get recipe sent to your inbox!
Some of the most memorable dishes I experienced were from Beirut, Lebanon. 💕
I can imagine! Same here!!
This is a common thing I see in many articles, Lebanese food became a brand therefore people put the recipes of it’s neighboring countries under this umbrella and I think it’s misguiding. Yes, food in the Levant is shared, but a few of these recipes undisputedly originated in Palestine and Syria, which are also much older civilizations than Lebanon.
Which recipes are you referring to?
I agree. Those dishes are well known for what’s used to be known as the Levant area ( Palestine, Syria & Lebanon). I grew up in Beit Jala, Palestine & my mother prepared ALL of these dishes!
Mujadara is kown to be an authentic Egyptian dish. It’s called ( the poor man’s food).
You’re right Ziad. The Levant region , (Palestine, Syria & Lebanon), have that food commonality!
I grew up in Beit Jala , Palestine eating All of the above dishes.
The food quality & taste is zero when it’s served in restaurants, no comparison to home cooked meals!
I grew up hearing that the (mujadara dish) is the poor man’s food! It originated in Egypt, same with the fool mudamas.
Lebanese cuisine offers the most tasty, fresh and diverse meals and dishes ever💖
I love it!
Excellent…love the yummy and crunchy starters
Thank you so much!