70 Best Lebanese Recipes

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 70 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.

Table of Contents

1. What is Lebanese Food?
2. What are some traditional Lebanese foods?
3. Tips for cooking Lebanese recipes
4. How to plan a Lebanese sample menu
5. Best Lebanese recipes
6. Lebanese dishes with rice
7. Lebanese dishes with meat (Beef, Lamb, Etc)
8. Lebanese chicken recipes
9. frequently asked questions
10. Full list of recipes

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 I’ve also simplified many to make them more approachable for weekday meals.

What is Lebanese Food?

Lebanese food is the culinary cuisine of Lebanon that is full of whole grains, fruits and 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.

A common technique for Lebanese dining is to create a mezze which is a sample menu of Lebanese cuisine served like appetizers that everyone shares.

What are some traditional Lebanese foods?

• 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.
• Baba Ghanoush – When you think traditional Lebanese recipes, this cousin to hummus is a smokey eggplant dip that is uses similar ingredients.
• 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.
• Kanafa – This popular dessert is made with crunchy shredded phyllo dough then layered with cheese, soaked with rosewater simple syrup, and topped with crushed pistachios.
• Tabbouleh – Loaded with authentic ingredients, Tabbouleh is a healthy bulgur and fresh herb salad that 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 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.
• Labneh – Yoghurt is strained to remove most of the moisture, resulting in a thick, tangy, and creamy dip. This “cheese” can be compared to cream cheese.
• 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. A healthy snack that is versatile in flavor options and in how it is used.
• Warak Enab – Or, Stuffed Grape Leaves. They are softened and rolled with either meat and rice or veggies and rice, or what we call hashweh.

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 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, yogurt, beef, and lamb. And for produce, cucumber, tomato, onion, and eggplant.

How to plan a Lebanese sample menu

Pick a few different items to create a mezze. This traditional style of eating is where you share multiple small appetizers for a meal. This spread can be simple easy recipes such as hummus, olives, raw vegetables, pieces of bread, and other Mediterranean-style dips. 

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.

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.

• Use a large board or platter. This will give you room to spread different appetizers and dishes for a variety throughout.
• Bundle ingredients for multiple dishes. You can have a lot of options and use the same products. Use ground beef in two different recipes, skewered meats, and many of the same seasonings.
• Use similar cooking styles. When creating a Lebanese sample menu, choose recipes that cook the same. Rather it is 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.
• Include dippable items. Pita bread and raw veggies are perfect for scooping up all the delicious dips and other Lebanese dishes.
• Fill the spaces. Use a variety of nuts, fresh and dried fruits, olives, and cheeses to fill in the bare spots.

Creating the perfect Lebanese sample 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.

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.

Lebanese Appetizers

• Meat Pies – Baked and filled with spiced meat, these meat pies are great to serve as an appetizer with yogurt for dipping.
• Beef Stuffed Grape Leaves – Called Warak Enab, these grape leaves are stuffed with a spiced ground beef and rice mixture and are a very popular Lebanese appetizer.
• Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves – Perfect for an appetizer, this is a classic Mediterranean stuffed grape leave 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 only a few ingredients.
• Fatayer Spinach Pie – A simple homemade dough with a zingy spinach filling that will fill your house with the best Middle Eastern fragrance.
• Baba Ghanoush – A tasty alternative to hummus, this smokey, creamy eggplant dip is made with just four simple ingredients and is served with pita bread and fresh veggies.
• Fried Kibbeh Balls – This traditional Lebanese appetizer is made with bulgur wheat and seasoned ground beef and onions filling and fried to crispy perfection!
• Traditional Lebanese Hummus – The best authentic creamy hummus dip that is made with just a few ingredients and perfect for dipping homemade pita chips in.
• 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 – Dip these fried cheese sticks in a zesty marinara and serve as finger food or as a Lebanese-inspired appetizer.

Lebanese Main Dishes

A heavily vegetarian cuisine, Lebanese recipes use a plethora of whole grains, fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, and legumes. But there is no shortage of meaty options as well, as Lebanese dishes with meat usually include chicken, beef, lamb, and fish.

Lebanese dishes with rice

• Mujadara – This is a vegan Lebanese dish with rice is made with caramelized onions, lentils, and rice. This makes for a wholesome entree or could be served with cooked vegetables or a salad.
• Mediterranean Ground Beef and Rice – Another easy Lebanese rice dish is made with chickpeas, and oniony beef, and is full of flavor. It’s a quick, easy-to-make one-pot meal the whole family will love!
• Sayadieh – Pan-fried fish is served over fluffy rice and topped with toasted nuts for this authentic Sayadieh, or “fish and rice” recipe
• Lebanese Rice – A staple Middle Eastern (Arabic) side dish made with only three ingredients: rice, vermicelli noodles, and olive oil! 
• Turmeric Rice Salad – This beautifully golden rice salad is a great way to bulk up a salad or use leftover rice that you can easily customize for a unique Lebanese dish.
• Lebanese Green Bean Stew – This one-pot meal made with chicken, tomatoes, and aromatic spices is a wholesome dish that is served over rice.

Lebanese dishes with meat (Beef, Lamb, Etc)

• 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.
• 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!
• 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.
• Peas and Carrots Stew – A hearty nutritious stew chock full of peas, carrots, and chunks of beef that is utterly comforting.
• Beef Shawarma Wrap – A popular street food, especially in the Middle East, made with flank steak, wrapped in pita bread with vegetables & tahini sauce.
• Hummus with Ground Beef – Authentic and popular Middle Eastern meal made with your creamy hummus, beef, and pine nuts!
• Eggplant Moussaka – A delicious quick and easy dinner made with layers of eggplant and spiced ground beef and topped with a velvety bechamel sauce
• 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!
• 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.
• Kibbeh in Yogurt Sauce – This is an authentic family Lebanese recipe that is comforting and has layers of flavor made with stuffed beef in a creamy yogurt sauce.
• 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.
• Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – A mixture of rice, ground beef, and spices are stuffed inside cabbage leaves cooked in a lemon garlic sauce.
• Baked Kibbeh – A quintessential Lebanese recipe that is popular throughout the Middle East – made with beef, cracked wheat, onion and spices, then baked.

Lebanese chicken recipes

• Grilled Chicken Kabobs – This easy chicken recipe is marinated with bright Mediterranean spices for the best flavor and cooked on a skewer with fresh veggies.
• Freekeh Chicken Soup – The warm broth has a bright tomato base, hearty freekeh, fresh onions, and parsley that combine to make this soup irresistible. 
• Molokhia – Tender chicken cooked with jews mallow in a lemony broth and served over Lebanese rice is comforting and unique.
• Shish Tawook – This authentic Lebanese recipe is very popular and made with juicy yogurt marinated chicken and grilled on skewers.
• Lebanese Chicken Fatteh – An irresistible combo of flavors made with yogurt, spiced shredded chicken, chickpeas, toasted pine nuts & pita bread!
• Chicken Bean Stew – Made with simple ingredients, this chicken and tomato stew requires minimal prep and is perfect for a family weeknight meal.
• 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 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 & so flavorful.
• Hummus Crusted Chicken – This chicken recipe is great for an easy weeknight meal and is inspired from Lebanese flavors.

Lebanese vegetarian recipes

• Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad – This traditional Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad is a healthy vegan Mediterranean recipe made with bulgur, parsley, mint, and chopped vegetables.
• Fattoush Salad – Seasoned fried pita bread, seasonal vegetables, and tossed in a zesty sumac Mediterranean dressing, this salad has a delicious crunch and is one of the easy Lebanese recipes for traditional fare.
• Roasted Cauliflower Pita – Roasted cauliflower is generously seasoned with bright Mediterranean spices, fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and tahini and stuffed inside a pita.
• Bulgur Chickpea Salad – Full of classic Lebanese flavors, this no-cook chickpea salad is hearty and made with fluffy bulgur, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
• Tangy Labneh Dip – This homemade Mediterranean yogurt cheese is made with just two ingredients and is the perfect addition to a mezze board.
• Quinoa Tabbouleh – A re-make of a classic Lebanese salad, but swaps out the bulgur for nutrient-dense quinoa – it’s light, lemony, and healthy!
• 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 use common spices.
• 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.
• Bulgur Pilaf – This ancient grain recipe is hearty and delicious. It is one of many Lebanese vegetarian recipes that is healthy and full of fiber, and infinitely customizable, however your family likes it!
• Crushed Lentil Soup – Make this authentic vegan Lebanese Soup with simple pantry ingredients in 30 minutes. It’s hearty, filling, and a family favorite.

Lebanese desserts

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 – This easy Lebanese recipe for rice pudding is a perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors with rose water, and pistachios!!
• Sesame Tahini Cookies – 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.
• Sfouf – A Middle Eastern semolina turmeric cake, made with simple ingredients, no eggs, and no butter. It’s vegan-friendly, light, and delightful.
• Pistachio Butter Cups – This pistachio-filled chocolate is a fun twist to Mediterranean flavors and is simple to make.
• Almond Milk Rice Pudding – An easy Middle-Eastern dessert or breakfast recipe that makes a great low-calorie option suitable for vegans.
• Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies – These cookies have a Middle Eastern twist by swapping half the butter in traditional chocolate chip cookies with tahini (sesame paste).

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.
• Toum Sauce – Garlic Sauce (Toum) is a popular condiment in Lebanese restaurants served often with chicken; made with only 4 ingredients: garlic, oil, lemon, and salt.
• 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!

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, Healthy Soup Recipes.

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!