28 Of The Best Traditional Lebanese Recipes

The Lebanese cuisine is very diverse and is influenced by many other cultures, geographic areas, and religions. It is full of exotic and exotic flavors which will transport you to the Mediterranean coast.

Lebanese food is greatly influenced by its geographical location. This often means it is spicy, salty and fresh. Lebanese food is known for its use of the phyllo dough (makes an excellent dessert). 

The traditional Lebanese food is also influenced by the Ottoman Empire, which would introduce new ingredients and new recipes which you can make at home! 

1. Kibbeh Balls 

Kibbeh is a type of Middle Eastern food made of bulgur, wheat flour, and a wide variety of spices (for more nutritious bulger recipes, read here). A delicious and healthy dish, it is usually served as an appetizer or snack. Kibbeh balls are a popular type of kibbeh.

Easy, delicious Kibbeh balls are a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine (see also ‘33 Easiest Middle Eastern Recipes For You To Try‘). The best part is that the recipe is easy to follow and yields several servings.

2. Stuffed Grape Leaves

Lebanese stuffed grape leaves are a traditional dish of the region. Made from an assortment of vegetables, often including fava beans, these leaves are filled with rice, minced meat, and spices.

Lebanese stuffed grape leaves are a popular side dish that are usually made with rice. These stuffed grape leaves are a great alternative to rice, and are full of flavor.

This is a great dish for party food but with a classy twist. 

3. Bamia

This is an extremely hearty meal with the two main ingredients being okra and tomatoes. It might sound like a basic meal but it is packed with traditional flavors. It is both spicy and sweet and you can make a big pot to go around. 

Most people probably don’t know what Okra is, do you know? Well, it is actually a fruit not a veggie!  

4. Chickpea Stew

Chickpea stew recipe. This chickpea stew recipe will be a great addition to your dinner table. It is a healthy dish and also delicious.

This is a very tasty and healthy meal for any time of the year. This stew can be served with any bread or rice dish. It is very easy to make and is a very healthy meal.

It’s a perfect lunch for vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores alike.

5. Chicken Shawarma

Chicken Shawarma is an amazing Middle-Eastern dish that is usually made with chicken or beef. It is usually served with bread or pita bread. This recipe will show you how to cook a delicious shawarma chicken.

You might think this is a difficult dish to make in your own home, but it definitely is not! The best thing about this recipe is that you do not need a whole long list of ingredients too! 

6. Lentil Soup

This nutritious soup is a great side dish for almost any meal. It’s also a wonderful source of protein and fiber, and the perfect dish for a cold winter’s day.

People might think that soups are plain and boring but this is something very hearty and filling. Another good thing about this recipe is that it is very cheap to make and easy. 

7. Kafta And Potato Stew

This is the type of main dish that people always want more of. It is full of flavor due to how rich the combination of ingredients are. It is basically comfort in a bowl which is what we all aim for. 

This is a one pot dish as well which is what makes it so simple to make in your own home. As long as you follow the recipe with the correct amounts of ingredients, you can’t get it wrong! 

8. Cabbage Fattoush Salad

If you’re a lover of lemon, you will love this zingy salad. It is filled with a lush mix of vibrant colors and flavors. It is ideal because it only takes 25 minutes in total to make but you can make it way ahead of time for dinner or lunch. 

Cabbage Fattoush Salad is a Middle Eastern salad that is usually served as an appetizer for mezzeh, or a meal on its own.

Don’t be put off thinking it might be difficult to make because anyone can make this in their own home and it can be exciting to try new dishes with flavors you might not usually use. 

9. Maghumour

One thing that is especially great about this dish is that you can eat it both hot or cold which means you can always have more later. 

This recipe can also be either vegetarian or with added meat which makes it versatile for many people to enjoy and is delicious both ways. 

This is the typical traditional meal which is great for those easy weekday meals taking 45 mins with both prepping and cooking. 

It is very simple with its main ingredients being potatoes and vegetables with added beef if wanted. However, the flavor is what really makes the dish delightful and also healthy. 

10. Baba Ghanouj

Baba ghanouj is a classic Middle Eastern dish made of eggplant, tomatoes, and other spices. This recipe is quick and easy with a minimum of ingredients.

This is a recipe of Baba Ghanouj. It is a Lebanese eggplant dip which is served with pita bread and served with vegetables and salads depending on what you prefer. 

This is simple but effective and is very easy to make in your own home and if you love a healthy meal, this is a great option. It is also quite filling which is always what you want! 

11. Tabbouleh Salad

Tabbouleh is a Lebanese salad, combining crunchy raw vegetables with soft raw lentils and herbs.

This salad is a great way to use up some of your stale bread and is also a great way to use up those leftover tomatoes from the fridge.

Tabbouleh is an easy and quick recipe to make at home. It’s a delicious and filling side dish, perfect for a summer barbecue.

12. Spinach Pies

These spinach-filled pies are a classic Lebanese dish. They’re excellent for picnics and family get-togethers, or a quick snack or plate of food for dinner.

Lebanese Spinach Pies are a popular side dish in the Middle East, which is why they’re so often called “Arabic Spinach Pie” in Western countries.

There are a few steps to these pies but they are so worth it! If you want a slightly healthier version.

13. Lebanese Hashweh

The Lebanese Hashweh is known for its incredible flavor and a great balance of both sweet and savory. It’s very versatile and is great with a variety of toppings, including yogurt, yogurt, cucumber, tomatoes, onions and lemon juice.

A delicious and versatile Lebanese dish, made from ground lamb and onion, with a hint of mint.

Lebanese Hashweh is a delicious and simple recipe that is very easy to make. People usually make this when they are in a hurry and don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen!

14. Lebanese Potato And Beef Stew

This is a traditional Lebanese stew which is delicious and can be served with bread or pita bread. Potatoes and beef are slowly cooked, then mashed together to create a hearty stew.

This is a traditional Lebanese dish with a rich and tasty beef and potato mixture. It can be cooked in the oven or on the stove.

15. Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs

Mediterranean chicken kebabs are a great dish to make for dinner parties. You can use chicken filets or chicken legs to make the skewers, and they are really tasty and you do not want to miss out!

Layered with all the flavors of the Mediterranean, these Mediterranean chicken kebabs are a quick and easy dinner with less ingredients than you might think! 

Juicy chicken kebabs are the easiest boneless chicken recipe you’ll ever make. These skewers are perfect for a summer dinner party as an example of where they are enjoyed most! 

16. Lebanese Meatballs

Lebanese meatballs are a popular and easy appetizer in Lebanon. They are usually made with ground beef or lamb, seasoned with cumin, salt, and pepper, and then rolled into balls and fried.

This recipe makes for a very delicious and easy meal. Lebanese meatballs are a popular street food in the Middle East and you can bring it into your own home. This recipe cooks meatballs in the oven or on the stovetop which makes it just so easy!

17. Stuffed Yellow Squash

 Stuffed yellow squash is perfect for summer. It’s light, colorful, and delicious. You can easily cook it in your own home. 

Yellow squash is a great vegetable to add to your diet. The best thing about stuffed squash recipes is that they can be prepared quickly, so you don’t have to waste time in the kitchen.

18. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Stuffed cabbage rolls are a traditional dish and one of the favorites for many. This recipe is so easy to make and tastes fantastic. The meat mixture is full of flavor and the filling is so tasty you will want to eat the rolls before the meat is done.

Stuffed cabbage rolls with a creamy, lemony sauce. This dish is one of the most popular Greek dishes and is always a hit at a dinner party.

19. Lebanese Rice With Vermicelli

This dish is one of the most popular dishes in Lebanon. This version of Lebanese rice with vermicelli  is prepared with a rich and distinct seasoning characteristics of Lebanese rice.

A  sweet and sour rice salad with vermicelli (see also ‘13 Delicious Vermicelli Noodle Recipes‘). This is one of the best rice salads you will ever taste and it’s so easy to make. This is because it is a unique dish that might look a bit bland but the taste definitely is not. 

20. Falafel

Deep-fry the falafel balls and then bake them in the oven until golden-brown. Serve with salad, tahini sauce, and pickles.

Learn how to make Lebanese falafel. These deep-fried chickpea patties are the perfect street food that you can make in your own home. They might take a little time but they will be worth it! 

21. Fruit Cocktail

The Lebanese fruit cocktail is a refreshing dessert. It is a perfect summertime treat, and the ingredients are simple and easy to find.

This delicious Lebanese fruit cocktail recipe will make a great addition to your family’s table for a light finish. 

A Lebanese fruit cocktail is a sweet dish made from a number of fruits, usually in a syrup with a garnish of cinnamon for that lovely extra flavor! 

22. Baked Cod

Delicious and easy to prepare, Lebanese baked cod is a great fish dish that is not only delicious but also healthy.

We all love a great fish recipe, and this one is an absolutely brilliant way to cook fish because as we mentioned, it is easy and difficult to go wrong if you follow this recipe (see also ‘12 Best Perch Recipes Including Baked and Fried‘). 

23. Mutabel

Lebanese mutabel is a delicious dish from Lebanon. It is a wonderful healthy dish that is usually served with or without tabbouleh.

You may or not be a lover of eggplant but with the combination of the lemon and garlic it is a winning combination. 

24. Baharat

This recipe of Lebanese Baharat is so easy to make, but has a very complex and rich taste. This recipe would be perfect for the Middle Eastern holidays coming up.

Lebanese Baharat is an aromatic dish with lots of spices and is best made with lamb. 

It is one of the most popular dishes of the Middle East and has also become a very popular dish in the west.

25. Burghul Bi Dfeen

The two main elements of this dish are Bulgur and chickpeas and is usually served with yogurt.

It is also filled with several spices to give the dish the traditional authenticity. The chickpeas are also thrown in there for the ultimate texture of the dish as well! 

26. Makluba

Lebanese Makluba is a traditional dish that is usually served with lamb or chicken and eggplant. The dish is derived from Greek cuisine, and is another dish that is cooked on top of the gas stove. 

This is a very simple recipe that is made with simple ingredients consisting of lamb, tomatoes

27. Samoon

This is a traditional Lebanese dish. It is cooked in a clay pot called a samoon. Samoon is used in the Lebanese countryside and is a very common food of the Lebanese.

Lebanese samoon is a crispy stuffed pastry made of flaky phyllo dough and filled with a rich, flavorful, and spicy meat.

28. Bouza ala Haleeb

Lebanese Bouza Ala Haleeb, A very similar dish to Lebanese Bouza Ala Barak but with a few more additions.

With very few and simple ingredients needed, this elegant dish is definitely something to try out. 

Conclusion

Overall, there are some really exciting dishes on here for you to try. Lebanese dishes have a wide range of different options and some unique flavors to try too. 

People love the more authentic and traditional dishes because they have so many rich flavors and are packed with spices and herbs. The desserts are also different, bringing something new to the table as well!