Main Course · Dinner · Middle Eastern ·

Crispy Syrian Kibbeh Mahshi with Pine Nut Filling

Name: Crispy Syrian Kibbeh Mahshi with Pine Nut Filling
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Fine Bulgur Wheat, 2 cups; Ground Beef or Lamb, 1 lb; Onion, finely chopped, 1; Cumin, 1 teaspoon; Allspice, 1 teaspoon; Salt and Pepper, to taste; Olive Oil, 1 tablespoon; Onion, finely chopped, 1; Ground Beef or Lamb, 1/2 lb; Cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon; Pine Nuts, 1 cup; Salt and Pepper, to taste

Enjoy this delightful Middle Eastern dish featuring perfectly seasoned ground meat encased in a crispy, bulgur wheat shell, filled with aromatic pine nuts.

4.3(82 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 11, 2025

Crispy Syrian Kibbeh Mahshi with Pine Nut Filling — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

50 min

Cook

2 h 30 min

Difficulty

Advanced

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Kibbeh Shell

For the Pine Nut Filling

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 527 kcal
Protein: 25.95 g
Carbs: 17.1 g
Fat: 40.3 g
Fiber: 5.6 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3160 kcal
Protein: 155.7 g
Carbs: 102.5 g
Fat: 241.8 g
Fiber: 33.5 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Fine Bulgur Wheat 2 cups	300	9	60	1	16
Ground Beef or Lamb 1 lb	1150	84	0	90	0
Onion, finely chopped 1	44	1	10	0	2
Cumin 1 teaspoon	8	0.4	1	0.5	0.5
Allspice 1 teaspoon	6	0.2	1.5	0.2	1
Salt and Pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Olive Oil 1 tablespoon	120	0	0	14	0
Onion, finely chopped 1	44	1	10	0	2
Ground Beef or Lamb 1/2 lb	575	42	0	45	0
Cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon	3	0.1	1	0.1	1
Pine Nuts 1 cup	910	18	19	91	11
Salt and Pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimated values and not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Kibbeh Shell

1
Soak Bulgur
Rinse the bulgur under cold water and soak it for 30 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
2
Mix Shell Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix the soaked bulgur, ground meat, chopped onion, cumin, allspice, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3
Chill Mixture
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Tip: Always chill the kibbeh mixture for an hour to make forming the shells easier.

Preparing the Pine Nut Filling

1
Sauté Onion
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent.
2
Brown Meat
Add the ground meat and cinnamon. Cook until the meat is browned.
3
Add Pine Nuts
Stir in the pine nuts, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then set aside to cool.
Tip: Test the seasoning by frying a small sample and adjust as needed.

How to Make Crispy Syrian Kibbeh Mahshi with Pine Nut Filling

Total time: 3 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Shaping the Kibbeh
Form the chilled bulgur mixture into small oval shells with your thumb.
2
Stuffing the Kibbeh
Fill each shell with a spoonful of the pine nut filling and close securely.
3
Frying the Kibbeh
Heat oil in a deep pan and fry each kibbeh until golden brown.