Love Middle Eastern food? These 70 Lebanese recipes will keep you busy and satisfied. Authentic recipes featuring chicken, beef, rice, desserts, and more!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
If you’re looking for the best collection of Lebanese recipes, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll find over 95 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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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 classics that always bring everyone to the table.
Traditional Lebanese Chicken Kafta is so quick and easy to make with simple ingredients. Serve alongside rice, salad or in a pita with some garlic sauce!
These Lebanese Stuffed Grape Leaves (Warak Enab) are made with a spiced ground beef and rice mixture – a delicious Mediterranean dish commonly served as an appetizer!
This authentic Lebanese Fattoush Salad is made with well-seasoned fried pita bread, seasonal vegetables and tossed in a zesty sumac Mediterranean dressing
This Homemade Lebanese Knafeh is a simplified version of the Middle Eastern dessert made with layered shredded dough and mozzarella cheese soaked with syrup
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.
1 hourhour5 minutesminutes
5 from 550 votes
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
These easy Lebanese recipes are the building blocks of so many delicious meals. And the best part about mastering these staples is that they really bring authentic flavors to other meals with minimal effort.
This Garlic Sauce (Toum) is a popular condiment in Lebanese restaurants served often with chicken; made with only 4 ingredients: garlic, oil, lemon and salt
Easy to make, this Lebanese cucumber yogurt sauce is ready to serve in minutes and made with a few simple ingredients. Fresh and cooling and can be made ahead of time.
This is an authentic Lebanese Tahini Sauce recipe you can make with only three ingredients and no special equipment – includes step-by-step tutorial & video!
These pink pickled turnips are a Lebanese staple! If you're a fan of Middle Eastern food & acidic accompaniments you need pickled turnips in your fridge!
5 daysdays10 minutesminutes
5 from 240 votes
Lebanese Appetizers
Lebanese appetizers are all about flavors that can be shared. That’s why I love having a mix of hummus, flavorful dips, and savory rolls – there’s always something delicious to pass around.
This Lebanese inspired Baba Ghanoush is made with only 4 ingredients: oven-roasted eggplant, lemon juice, tahini & garlic – a great alternative to hummus!
Muhammara is a Middle Eastern vegan dip that’s made with walnuts, roasted red peppers, breadcrumbs, olive oil and spices – easy to make in ONE simple step!
This roasted beet hummus is pink, delicious, and fun to eat! Pair it with pita chips and veggies for a snack or appetizer! A perfect way to use up beetroot!
This Hummus with Ground Beef recipe is a simple, authentic and popular Middle Eastern meal – easy to make with your favorite hummus, beef and pine nuts!
These Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves are a Mediterranean classic recipe made with short grain rice, parsley, tomatoes and onions – my favorite appetizer!
Crispy cheese rolls (Rakakat) is the perfect crunchy, ooey-gooey appetizer to make with just a few ingredients. This Lebanese recipe is perfect for Ramadan!
Grilled halloumi is a simple and delicious Mediterranean appetizer that's ready in minutes. Cook on an indoor or outdoor grill and serve with a fresh salad.
These halloumi fries are Middle Eastern style mozzarella sticks made with only 4 ingredients – flour, eggs, panko and non-melting halloumi!
30 minutesminutes
5 from 805 votes
Lebanese Breads and Pastries
Lebanese breads are a staple in my kitchen, and they’re a key part of authentic Lebanese recipes (looking at you, pita bread!). There’s nothing like the smell of fresh-baked dough, whether it’s for a hearty meal or a sweet treat.
Learn how to make flatbread dough with this easy skillet recipe. The step-by-step tutorial walks you through making homemade yeast flatbread from scratch!
All you need is 3 ingredients to make my homemade pita chips recipe – perfectly baked in the oven and seasoned wonderfully – you won't miss the bagged kind!
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.
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!
Sesame Tahini Cookies are chewy delicious gluten-free cookies with a Middle Eastern flavor. Instead of butter, tahini paste is used to add a rich nutty taste
These Lebanese meat pies (sfeehas) are a delicious Middle Eastern appetizer. Made with a crispy dough and filled with a spiced meat filling.
2 hourshours30 minutesminutes
5 from 201 votes
Authentic Lebanese Recipes for Breakfast
Breakfast in Lebanon is a deliciously satisfying start to the day, and I love the variety of flavors in traditional Lebanese recipes for breakfast. These meals are all about simple, wholesome ingredients with big flavors.
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!
30 minutesminutes
5 from 600 votes
Lebanese Dishes with Rice and Grains
Lebanese dishes with rice and other grains are so much more than just a side dish. These meals are hearty, flavorful, and often packed with Middle Eastern spices that make them the perfect centerpiece to any spread.
This Mediterranean Ground Beef and Rice dish is made with chickpeas and full of flavor. It's a quick, easy-to-make one pot meal the whole family will love!
This authentic Sayadieh recipe is also known as Lebanese Rice and Fish – made with perfectly seasoned fluffy rice & pan fried fish, topped with toasted nuts.
This Lebanese Rice is a staple Middle Eastern (Arabic) side dish in my home that I make with only three ingredients: rice, vermicelli noodles and olive oil!
This Lebanese style Bulgur Pilaf recipe is hearty, healthy and delicious; it is full of fiber and infinitely customizable. Easy recipe for bulgur wheat.
This authentic Stuffed Eggplant recipe is a my family's popular Lebanese dish made with a spiced beef & rice stuffing and cooked in a garlicky tomato broth!
This authentic Kousa recipe is a popular Middle Eastern dish made with a spiced beef & rice mixture stuffed in squash and cooked in a garlicky tomato broth!
Try this authentic Lebanese styled Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – also known as Malfouf – with step-by-step easy instructions to cook the recipe!
2 hourshours15 minutesminutes
5 from 196 votes
Easy Lebanese Recipes for Soups and Stews
Whenever I’m in the mood for something comforting and full of flavor, these Lebanese soups and stews are my go-to. They’re simple to make and offer a delicious, nourishing taste of Lebanese cuisine. Plus, most of them are meal-prep friendly, which is always a good thing.
This Lebanese green bean stew is a one-pot meal made with chicken, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. It's a full-bodied meal! Serve over rice or on its own.
This one pot Lebanese bean stew is so easy to make and loaded with flavor. This weeknight meal is perfect for freezer dinners and is made with fresh and tasty ingredients.
Learn how to make this authentic healthy Lebanese Crushed Lentil Soup in 30 minutes! Made with simple pantry ingredients, it's vegan, hearty and so filling!
If you're looking for new vegetable beef stews to try, this Lebanese inspired Peas and Carrots Stew (we call them yakhneh) is hearty, nutritious and utterly comforting.
Moghrabieh is a traditional Lebanese stew and is a firm family favorite. High in protein, this hearty, healthy stew is wonderfully spiced and full of flavor
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.
Cracked freekeh soup with an aromatic warm broth loaded with shredded chicken, onions, and spices. This Lebanese soup recipe is even better the next day!
This Lebanese-style okra stew is hearty and full of robust flavors, with tender beef, stewed tomatoes, cilantro, garlic, and sautéed onions that the whole family will enjoy!
Try this authentic Lebanese style Spinach stew made with simple ingredients; it's wholesome, well-balanced and perfect to feed a large family
27 minutesminutes
5 from 284 votes
Lebanese Chicken Recipes
Some of my favorite traditional Lebanese recipes feature chicken. I love how this versatile meat can be turned into everything from a hearty stew to a quick dish, as long as it’s paired with the perfect blend of spices and fresh ingredients for a satisfying meal.
This authentic Lebanese Chicken Fatteh is an amazing combo of flavors made with yogurt, spiced shredded chicken, chickpeas, toasted pine nuts & pita bread!
These Grilled Chicken Shish Kabobs are flavorful & easy to make! The chicken is marinated with bright Mediterranean spices on a skewer with fresh veggies.
Freekeh with chicken is a delicious and well-balanced meal made with the ancient grain and served with toasted nuts & herbs. It's a popular Lebanese recipe!
Easy homemade chicken shawarma recipe made with chicken thighs and a shawarma marinade that has been passed down through my Middle Eastern family for generations.
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 Chicken Shawarma Salad bowl is an authentic Lebanese shawarma recipe made with a warm spice blend & served over salad with tahini dressing!
40 minutesminutes
5 from 178 votes
Lebanese Dishes with Meat
Any time I want to break from chicken, I turn to these Lebanese dishes with meat like beef and lamb. The flavors are rich, texture is tender, and the dishes are always satisfying!
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 Easy Eggplant Moussaka recipe is a quick version of the Greek dish made with layers of eggplant and spiced ground beef and topped with a bechamel sauce.
Quick and easy to make this traditional Lebanese Hashweh is made with simple ingredients and is wonderfully spiced and flavorful. Perfect on it's own with pita or a great stuffing for lots of mains.
Quick and easy to make, these Lebanese meat stuffed pitas are one delicious recipe! These beef arayes are ready to enjoy in minutes and every bite is truly tasty!
This authentic Lebanese Shish Barak is a delicious Middle Eastern comfort food of homemade spiced meat dumplings in creamy yogurt sauce.
1 hourhour40 minutesminutes
4.9 from 26 votes
Lebanese Vegetarian Recipes
When it comes to satisfying yet meat-less meals, Lebanese vegetarian recipes never disappoint. Full of fresh ingredients and lots of bold spices, these easy Lebanese recipes offer a delicious break from meat while still feeling hearty and filling.
This Quinoa Tabbouleh recipe is a re-make of a classic Lebanese salad, but swaps out the bulgur for nutrient-dense quinoa. It's light, lemony, and refreshing!
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!
Batata Harra is a Lebanese spicy potatoes side dish that's full of flavor. Easy to make and perfect to serve as part of a mezze or with grilled meat dishes!
Kale Tabbouleh Salad is a modern twist on the traditional Middle Eastern recipe, using kale instead of parsley along with tomatoes, bulgur, mint, lemon and olive oil
This easy 10 minute salad is a delicious and vibrant side. Dressed in a lemon and olive oil dressing, it's light, refreshing and full of flavor.
10 minutesminutes
5 from 111 votes
Lebanese Desserts
These desserts are the perfect sweet ending to any meal and always satisfy my sweet tooth. For more ideas, check out my collection of Lebanese desserts.
Whether you call it Namoura, Basbousa, or just Semolina cake this recipe will delight. Made with semolina flour, almonds, and topped with a simple syrup.
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 Almond Milk Rice Pudding is an easy and delicious Middle Eastern dessert recipe that's dairy-free, egg-free & gluten-free – healthy take on a classic
These Maamoul cookies are made with semolina flour + two classic fillings – creamy dates & crunchy walnuts – a delicious Middle Eastern treat!
13 hourshours5 minutesminutes
5 from 91 votes
Frequently Asked Questions
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 healthy?
Yes! Mostly known to be one of the healthiest cuisines in the world, utilizing fresh produce, whole grains, and legumes. You’ll also learn that many traditional Lebanese recipes use healthy spices and fresh herbs as well. This style of cooking is usually low in fat as they cook primarily with healthy olive oil versus butter and yogurt instead of cream.
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).
If you found this recipe roundup for Lebanese Recipes helpful or if you try any recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipes! It helps others who are thinking of trying out this tutorial and we would love to hear about your experience. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
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!