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10 recipes · Lebanon

Lebanese kitchen

10 Lebanese recipes you can cook at home, from Adas Bi Hamod (Lebanese Lentil and Chard Soup), Kafta Bil Sanieh (Lebanese Kafta Tray Bake) and Kibbeh Bil Sanieh (Lebanese Baked Kibbeh) to Meghli (Lebanese Spiced Rice Pudding).

10 recipes

About Lebanese food

The Lebanese kitchen

Lemon, garlic, olive oil and fresh herbs give much of Lebanon's cooking its bright edge. Bulgur, chickpeas and lentils sit alongside grilled meats, stuffed vegetables and slow tomato stews. Tahini and yogurt add creamy textures, while allspice and cinnamon bring warmth to savory food without necessarily adding chile heat.

Mezze puts several small plates within reach, with bread used to scoop dips and gather bites. For a home meal, one stew or tray bake with a vegetable side is enough. Keep parsley, lemons and garlic on hand, toast nuts gently, and add delicate herbs near serving so their flavor remains clear.

Questions, answered

What is the national dish of Lebanon?

Kibbeh is widely regarded as Lebanon's national dish. It takes many forms, including baked layers, fried shells and vegetable versions, often built around bulgur and a seasoned filling.

Is Lebanese food spicy?

It is often aromatic and tangy rather than hot. Garlic, lemon, herbs and warm spices are common; dishes such as batata harra bring chile heat, which can be adjusted at home.

What is the difference between tahini and hummus?

Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds. Hummus is a chickpea dip that commonly includes tahini, lemon and garlic. Tahini also appears in sauces and other preparations beyond hummus.

What can I use instead of Lebanese seven spice?

For a simple savory seasoning, combine allspice, cinnamon and black pepper, then add small amounts of cumin, coriander, cloves or nutmeg as the dish needs. Seven-spice blends vary, so no single substitute matches every jar.

What Lebanese dishes can I make at home?

Start with Adas Bi Hamod (Lebanese Lentil and Chard Soup), Batata Harra (Lebanese Spicy Potatoes), Fattet Hummus (Lebanese Chickpea Fatteh), Kafta Bil Sanieh (Lebanese Kafta Tray Bake) and Kibbeh Bil Sanieh (Lebanese Baked Kibbeh). Every recipe here is written for a home kitchen, with substitutes for anything hard to find.

What's the quickest Lebanese recipe?

Fattet Hummus (Lebanese Chickpea Fatteh), ready in 27 min.