Kibbeh, the national dish of Lebanon, is a ground lamb dish that goes perfectly with chickpea salad or tabbouleh.


How to Make Kibbeh: Lebanese Baked Kibbeh Recipe

Kibbeh is a Middle Eastern meatball bound together with bulgur or rice. The word *kibbeh* comes from the Egyptian Arabic *kubba*, meaning “ball” or “lump.” In traditional preparations of kibbeh, you would use a stone mortar and wooden pestle to pound lamb or goat meat together with bulgur until smooth. Of course, you can simply use a food processor, but some home cooks swear by the labor-intensive traditional method. Kibbeh can be baked, boiled, or deep-fried.


Like other types of meatballs from around the world, kibbeh comes in many varieties. 

1. __Kibbeh__ *__bil seniyeh__* is baked, sometimes as a casserole with layers of bulgur or mashed potatoes.
2. __Kibbeh__ *__hamdah__* is a meatball soup with a lemony broth and vegetables.
3. __Kibbeh__ *__nayeh__* is raw kibbeh. The raw meat is typically seasoned with fresh basil or mint leaves and served with tomatoes, chiles, scallions, onions. 
4. __Kibbeh__ *__mahshi__* are torpedo-shaped kibbeh meatballs that are breaded with bulgur (or semolina or rice) and deep-fried until crispy, like a croquette. Fried kibbeh are often served as part of a mezze (appetizer platter) and for special occasions.

Kibbeh tastes like a meatball or meatloaf, and its flavor varies depending on the type of ground meat with which it’s made. Traditionally, kibbeh includes ground lamb or goat, but it can be made with ground beef as well. There are also vegetarian versions of kibbeh made with lentils and vegetables. The spices that flavor kibbeh vary regionally. In Syria, you'll likely find allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, and cumin in the mix, while in Lebanon you may find kibbeh recipes with <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes","linkCopy":"sumac","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sumac</a>, nutmeg, and pomegranate molasses.

Baked or fried kibbeh make for a great appetizer or main dish. Try them with Lebanese cabbage salad, [chickpea salad](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/simple-mediterranean-chickpea-salad-recipe), creamed lentils, hamud (Syrian mint sauce), tahini sauce, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-greek-tzatziki' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-greek-tzatziki","linkCopy":"tzatziki","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>tzatziki</a>, arugula salad, [tabbouleh](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-tabbouleh-recipe), hummus and [pita bread](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-homemade-pita-bread-recipe-how-to-make-traditional-pita-bread). You can also serve kibbeh alongside sliced raw vegetables such as radishes, cucumbers, and carrots.

Kibbeh, the national dish of Lebanon, is a ground lamb dish that goes perfectly with chickpea salad or tabbouleh.

Kibbeh is a Middle Eastern meatball bound together with bulgur or rice. The word kibbeh comes from the Egyptian Arabic kubba, meaning “ball” or “lump.” In traditional preparations of kibbeh, you would use a stone mortar and wooden pestle to pound lamb or goat meat together with bulgur until smooth. Of course, you can simply use a food processor, but some home cooks swear by the labor-intensive traditional method. Kibbeh can be baked, boiled, or deep-fried.

What Is Kibbeh?

Like other types of meatballs from around the world, kibbeh comes in many varieties. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Kibbeh bil seniyeh is baked, sometimes as a casserole with layers of bulgur or mashed potatoes. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Kibbeh hamdah is a meatball soup with a lemony broth and vegetables. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Kibbeh nayeh is raw kibbeh. The raw meat is typically seasoned with fresh basil or mint leaves and served with tomatoes, chiles, scallions, onions. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Kibbeh mahshi are torpedo-shaped kibbeh meatballs that are breaded with bulgur (or semolina or rice) and deep-fried until crispy, like a croquette. Fried kibbeh are often served as part of a mezze (appetizer platter) and for special occasions. </li></ol>

4 Types of Kibbeh

Kibbeh tastes like a meatball or meatloaf, and its flavor varies depending on the type of ground meat with which it’s made. Traditionally, kibbeh includes ground lamb or goat, but it can be made with ground beef as well. There are also vegetarian versions of kibbeh made with lentils and vegetables. The spices that flavor kibbeh vary regionally. In Syria, you&#39;ll likely find allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, and cumin in the mix, while in Lebanon you may find kibbeh recipes with <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes","linkCopy":"sumac","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sumac</a>, nutmeg, and pomegranate molasses.

What Does Kibbeh Taste Like?

Baked or fried kibbeh make for a great appetizer or main dish. Try them with Lebanese cabbage salad, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/simple-mediterranean-chickpea-salad-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/simple-mediterranean-chickpea-salad-recipe","linkCopy":"chickpea salad","category":null}'>chickpea salad</a>, creamed lentils, hamud (Syrian mint sauce), tahini sauce, <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-greek-tzatziki' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-greek-tzatziki","linkCopy":"tzatziki","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>tzatziki</a>, arugula salad, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-tabbouleh-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-tabbouleh-recipe","linkCopy":"tabbouleh","category":null}'>tabbouleh</a>, hummus and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-homemade-pita-bread-recipe-how-to-make-traditional-pita-bread' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-homemade-pita-bread-recipe-how-to-make-traditional-pita-bread","linkCopy":"pita bread","category":null}'>pita bread</a>. You can also serve kibbeh alongside sliced raw vegetables such as radishes, cucumbers, and carrots.

What to Serve With Kibbeh

Lebanese Baked Kibbeh Recipe

Kibbeh, the national dish of Lebanon, is a ground lamb dish that goes perfectly with chickpea salad or tabbouleh.

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How to Make Kibbeh: Lebanese Baked Kibbeh Recipe