The Most Famous and Traditional Lebanese Food Recipes

Lebanon, a small country with a big flavour, offers a gastronomic experience like no other. Today, we're diving into the world of Lebanese cuisine, uncovering the most famous and traditional Lebanese food recipes that will treat your palate. Take this article as your guide to discover the most beloved Lebanese food recipes and elevate your home cooking with authentic Middle Eastern tastes.

A Taste of Lebanon: An Overview

Lebanese cuisine is a rich tapestry woven from centuries of history. Influenced by neighbouring cultures like Syria, Turkey, and Egypt, it has developed a unique character that blends Mediterranean flavours with Middle Eastern spices.

Freshness is paramount in cooking Lebanese recipes. Expect an abundance of herbs like mint, parsley, and thyme, alongside fragrant spices like cumin, coriander, and allspice. Olive oil is essential in Lebanese cuisine, while pine nuts, pomegranate molasses, and lemon juice add depth and complexity.

The Best Lebanese Food Recipes 

Appetiser Delights

Hummus: 

More than just a dip, hummus is a cornerstone of Lebanese cuisine. Made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil, it's a creamy and versatile dish enjoyed with warm pita bread.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil in a food processor.
2. Pulse until smooth, adding water as needed to reach desired consistency.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with paprika. Serve with warm pita bread.

Tabbouleh: 

This refreshing salad bursts with the flavours of fresh parsley, tomatoes, onions, bulgur wheat, mint, and lemon juice. It's a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats or as a light meal on its own.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh mint
• 1/2 cup finely chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup bulgur wheat
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine parsley, mint, tomatoes, onion, and bulgur wheat in a large bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
4. Serve chilled.

Explore more Lebanese side dishes on MyJam

Falafel: 

Crispy on the outside, soft and flavourful on the inside, falafel is a vegetarian delight. Made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices, these deep-fried balls are best enjoyed with hummus and tahini sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for deep frying

Instructions:

1. Combine chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a food processor.
2. Pulse until mixture forms a coarse paste.
3. Shape the mixture into small balls.
4. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375°F (190°C).
5. Fry falafel balls until golden brown and crispy.
6. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with tahini sauce and hummus.

Baba Ghanoush:

This smoky eggplant dip is a luxurious treat. Roasted eggplant is mashed with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil for a rich and satisfying appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggplants, pricked with a fork
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Roast eggplants in the oven at 400°F (200°C) until tender and charred, about 30-40 minutes.
2. Let cool slightly, then peel and remove seeds.
3. Mash eggplant in a bowl.
4. Stir in tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5. Serve with warm pita bread and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Recipes of Lebanese Main Course Marvels

Kebab

A Lebanese feast isn't complete without succulent kebabs. From tender shish taouk (marinated chicken skewers) to juicy kafta (ground lamb or beef kebabs), there's a kebab for every palate. Serve with grilled vegetables and a side of rice or hummus.

There are numerous variations of kebabs. Here are two popular types:

Shish Taouk

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup plain yoghourt
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Wooden skewers

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine yoghourt, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper.
2. Add chicken cubes to the marinade and mix well.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight.
4. Thread chicken pieces onto skewers.
5. Grill over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through.

Kafta

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground lamb or beef
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Wooden skewers

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine ground meat, onion, parsley, garlic, cumin, coriander, allspice, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix well with your hands until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. Shape the mixture into long, thin patties.
4. Thread the patties onto skewers.
5. Grill over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked through.

Mansaf

While mansaf is originally a Jordanian dish, it is widely loved and popular in Lebanon. This regal dish is a cornerstone of Bedouin hospitality. Tender lamb is slow-cooked in a rich yoghourt sauce and served with fragrant rice and khubz (Lebanese bread). It's a truly unforgettable experience.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, cut into cubes
• 1 cup plain yoghourt
• 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
• 2 cups basmati rice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Khubz (Lebanese bread)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, brown lamb cubes in olive oil.
2. Add water to cover the lamb, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until tender.
3. In a separate pot, cook basmati rice according to package instructions.
4. In a large serving dish, spread a layer of khubz.
5. Pour the yoghurt over the bread.
6. Arrange cooked lamb on top of the yoghurt.
7. Garnish with toasted pine nuts.
8. Serve with the cooked rice on the side.

Lebanese Manakish

Manakish is a popular Lebanese flatbread topped with various delicious ingredients. Here's a basic recipe for the dough and two classic topping options: zaatar and cheese.  

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 3 cups bread flour

• 1 cup lukewarm water

• 1 tablespoon dried active yeast

• 1 teaspoon salt  

• ½ teaspoon sugar

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

For the Zaatar Topping:

• Zaatar spice

• Extra virgin olive oil

Check this Green Valley Manakish Zaatar at MyJam 

For the Cheese Topping:

• Akkawi cheese or mozzarella cheese  

Check this Muhammara Manakish With Cheese at MyJam 

Instructions:

Preparing the Dough:

1. In a bowl, combine lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 15 minutes until foamy.

2. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and olive oil. Add the yeast mixture and knead until a smooth dough forms.

3. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1-2 hours).

4. Punch down the dough and divide it into equal-sized balls.

Preparing the Toppings:

• For zaatar topping, mix zaatar with olive oil to form a paste.  

• For cheese topping, shred the cheese.

Assembling and Baking:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).

2. Roll out each dough ball into a thin oval shape.

3. Spread either the zaatar mixture or the cheese on the dough, leaving a small border.

4. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

5. Serve warm with fresh vegetables or olives.

Tips:

1. You can experiment with different toppings like minced meat, spinach, or other herbs.

2. For a crispier crust, use a cast iron skillet or pizza stone.

3. Serve manakish with fresh mint and lemon wedges for added flavour.

Moussaka

Layers of eggplant, ground meat, and a creamy béchamel sauce create this hearty and comforting dish. Baked to perfection, it's a satisfying meal for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggplants, sliced
• 1 pound ground lamb or beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• For the béchamel sauce:
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Salt eggplant slices and let drain for 30 minutes.
• Grill or bake eggplant slices until tender.
• Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until softened.
• Add ground meat, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and pepper. Cook until meat is browned.
• For the béchamel sauce:
• Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, and cook for 1 minute.
• Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
• Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened.
• Layer eggplant, meat sauce, and béchamel sauce in a baking dish.
• Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.

Fattoush

A vibrant and crunchy salad, fattoush is a perfect complement to grilled meats or as a standalone dish. It features crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and toasted pita croutons, all tossed in a tangy lemon-based dressing.

Ingredients:

• 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup toasted pita bread, crumbled
• For the dressing:
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, mint, and parsley.
• In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
• Sprinkle it with crumbled pita bread and serve immediately.

Cooking Tips and Techniques for Preparing Delightful Lebanese Food Recipes

• Essential Lebanese pantry staples: Stock up on olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, coriander, allspice, pine nuts, pomegranate molasses, and a variety of dried herbs to recreate authentic Lebanese flavours at home.
• Cooking methods: Grilling, baking, and roasting are common cooking methods in Lebanese cuisine. Mastering these techniques will help you achieve delicious results.
• Spice blends: Zaatar, a blend of thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac, and a seven-spice blend are essential for adding depth of flavour to your dishes. 

Lebanese cuisine is a vibrant and flavourful adventure that never fails to impress food lovers worldwide. With its emphasis on fresh ingredients, bold flavours, and warm hospitality, it's no wonder that Lebanese food has captured the hearts (and taste buds) of people around the world. 

Shop whatever Lebanese ingredients you want from MyJam Lebanese collection and embark on a new enjoyable cooking journey.