Labneh is a creamy, concentrated yogurt beloved throughout the Middle East. It’s made by draining the whey out of yogurt, leaving you with a thick, rich condiment that can be used in myriad ways.


Homemade Labneh: Yotam Ottolenghi’s Labneh Recipe

[Labneh](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yotam-ottolenghis-labneh-with-berries-recipe), also spelled labne, is a Middle Eastern (and particularly Lebanese) strained yogurt. Labneh is spreadable like cream cheese and tangy like <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream' 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-sour-cream","linkCopy":"sour cream","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sour cream</a>. Since labneh is made with yogurt but is spreadable like a soft cheese, many people call it “yogurt cheese.” If you have yogurt—whether it's homemade yogurt or good-quality supermarket yogurt—you can make homemade labneh.

Labneh can be served as part of a mezze spread, drizzled with <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide' 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/complete-olive-oil-guide","linkCopy":"extra virgin olive oil","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>extra virgin olive oil</a> and sprinkled with fresh herbs, lemon zest, or [za'atar](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-zaatar-at-home) for a quick and beautiful labneh dip to scoop with a pita. You can serve it alongside other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern savory snacks such as baba ganoush, lavash, homemade [hummus](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yotam-ottolenghis-hummus-recipe), marinated feta cheese, salt-pickled veggies, chickpea salad, and olives. You can also use labneh in place of cream cheese on bagels or toast.

You can use any type of full-fat yogurt to make labneh—sheep’s milk will be tangier and cow’s milk creamier. The only type to avoid is set Greek yogurt, which won’t drain properly. You will need muslin or cheesecloth to stain the cheese. 

Labneh is a creamy, concentrated yogurt beloved throughout the Middle East. It’s made by draining the whey out of yogurt, leaving you with a thick, rich condiment that can be used in myriad ways.

<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yotam-ottolenghis-labneh-with-berries-recipe' target='_self' 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/yotam-ottolenghis-labneh-with-berries-recipe","linkCopy":"Labneh","category":null}'>Labneh</a>, also spelled labne, is a Middle Eastern (and particularly Lebanese) strained yogurt. Labneh is spreadable like cream cheese and tangy like <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-sour-cream' 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-sour-cream","linkCopy":"sour cream","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sour cream</a>. Since labneh is made with yogurt but is spreadable like a soft cheese, many people call it “yogurt cheese.” If you have yogurt—whether it&#39;s homemade yogurt or good-quality supermarket yogurt—you can make homemade labneh.

What Is Labneh?

Labneh can be served as part of a mezze spread, drizzled with <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/complete-olive-oil-guide' 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/complete-olive-oil-guide","linkCopy":"extra virgin olive oil","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>extra virgin olive oil</a> and sprinkled with fresh herbs, lemon zest, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-zaatar-at-home' target='_self' 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/how-to-make-zaatar-at-home","linkCopy":"za\u0026#39;atar","category":null}'>za&#39;atar</a> for a quick and beautiful labneh dip to scoop with a pita. You can serve it alongside other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern savory snacks such as baba ganoush, lavash, homemade <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/yotam-ottolenghis-hummus-recipe' target='_self' 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/yotam-ottolenghis-hummus-recipe","linkCopy":"hummus","category":null}'>hummus</a>, marinated feta cheese, salt-pickled veggies, chickpea salad, and olives. You can also use labneh in place of cream cheese on bagels or toast.

How to Serve Labneh

You can use any type of full-fat yogurt to make labneh—sheep’s milk will be tangier and cow’s milk creamier. The only type to avoid is set Greek yogurt, which won’t drain properly. You will need muslin or cheesecloth to stain the cheese.

How to Make Labneh

Yotam Ottolenghi’s Homemade Labneh Recipe

Labneh is a creamy, concentrated yogurt beloved throughout the Middle East. It’s made by draining the whey out of yogurt, leaving you with a thick, rich condiment that can be used in myriad ways.