What is kibbeh? Popular Lebanese dish explained

You can’t go wrong with this authentic Lebanese dish that can be served as a starter, main or side.

With origins in the Middle East – and considered the national dish of Lebanon – kibbeh is a combination of bulgur cracked wheat, chopped onions, baharat (seven spices) and lean beef, goat, lamb, fish or camel mince meat.

It can be eaten raw and is similar to steak tartare, as seen in our salmon kibbeh recipe, which makes for a fresh and elegant cocktail party appetiser.

What are kibbeh balls?

Kibbeh can be rolled into balls that are perfect for afternoon grazing with friends over a mezze platter.

Try our fried lamb kibbeh recipe which mixed lamb or beef mince with crunchy pine nuts.

What is vegetarian kibbeh?

Traditional kibbeh is made with meat; however, vegetarian versions use spinach, pumpkin, chickpea and bulgur dough.

How do you make kibbeh?

Traditionally, Lebanese women would make kibbeh by pounding the meat and burghul in a mortar and pestle, then kneading in the spices.

Today with minced meat and food processors, the process of making kibbeh is far more easier!

Here is a selection of our tasty kibbeh recipes to try:

1) Kibbeh

2) Baked kibbeh

3) Trout kibbeh

4) Baked lamb kibbeh

5) Lebanese kibbeh burgers

6) Beef kibbeh burgers

7) Beef kibbeh with roasted pumpkin hummus

8) Lamb kibbeh kebabs with pistachio and apricot couscous

9) Lamb kibbeh with mint and broad bean salad

Top Middle Eastern recipes:

Middle Eastern lamb koftas with aromatic lentil rice

Basbousa Middle Eastern semolina slice

Middle Eastern lamb burger

Persian-spiced fish with quinoa salad

Dukkah-rubbed snapper with Moroccan red lentils

Middle Eastern syrup muffins

See also:

Feasts of the Middle East

A Middle Eastern makeover with Shane Delia

Create a Middle Eastern BBQ in a candlelit oasis

Vegetarian kibbeh

For more recipe ideas, go to taste.com.au or check out the Taste Test Kitchen now.

Originally published as What is kibbeh? Popular Lebanese dish explained