Middle Eastern · Appetizer ·

Lebanese Kibbeh Nayyeh With Fresh Mint and Olive Oil

Name: Lebanese Kibbeh Nayyeh With Fresh Mint and Olive Oil
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 500g ground lamb or beef, very fresh; 1 cup fine bulgur, soaked and drained; 1 medium onion, finely grated; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; Fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped; Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling; 1 tsp sumac powder; 1/2 tsp ground allspice; 1 small onion, sliced thinly; Fresh mint sprigs, for serving

Kibbeh Nayyeh is a classic Middle Eastern dish featuring ground lamb or beef mixed with bulgur, herbs, and spices. Served with fresh mint and a drizzle of olive oil for a refreshing and aromatic delig

4(73 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 21, 2025

Lebanese Kibbeh Nayyeh With Fresh Mint and Olive Oil — Middle Eastern served and photographed from above

Prep

25 min

Cook

1 h 15 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Kibbeh Mixture

For the Garnish

For the Spice Mix

For the Onions & Mint Side

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 273 kcal
Protein: 16.75 g
Carbs: 9.1 g
Fat: 19.53 g
Fiber: 2.27 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1635 kcal
Protein: 100.5 g
Carbs: 54.6 g
Fat: 117.2 g
Fiber: 13.6 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
500g ground lamb or beef very fresh	1150	92	0	89	0
1 cup fine bulgur soaked and drained	150	5.6	33	0.5	8
1 medium onion finely grated	44	1.2	10.1	0.1	1.9
1 tsp ground cumin	8	0.4	0.9	0.5	0.2
1 tsp ground cinnamon	6	0.1	2	0	1.4
1 tsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
1/2 tsp black pepper	3	0.1	0.8	0.1	0.3
Fresh mint leaves roughly chopped	2	0.2	0.4	0	0.3
Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling	240	0	0	27	0
1 tsp sumac powder	0	0	0	0	0
1/2 tsp ground allspice	3	0.1	0.7	0	0.4
1 small onion sliced thinly	28	0.8	6.5	0.1	1
Fresh mint sprigs for serving	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1

These are estimated values, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Bulgur

1
Rinse the bulgur
Rinse the bulgur under cold water.
2
Soak the bulgur
Let it soak in water for 15 minutes, then drain well.
3
Drain thoroughly
Squeeze out excess water using a clean kitchen towel.

Mixing the Kibbeh Mixture

1
Combine ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, soaked bulgur, grated onion, spices, salt, and pepper.
2
Mix until smooth
Mix thoroughly using your hands until well combined and smooth.
Tip: ⚠ Avoid overworking the meat; it should remain tender. 💡 Use icy water while mixing to keep the meat cold and maintain texture.
3
Chill the mixture
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes for better firmness.

How to Make Lebanese Kibbeh Nayyeh With Fresh Mint and Olive Oil

Total time: 1 h 40 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Shape the Kibbeh
Use your hands to shape the mixture into a smooth, thin layer on a platter, or form small patties.
2
Garnish with Mint and Oil
Generously sprinkle fresh mint leaves over the kibbeh and drizzle with olive oil right before serving.
3
Serve Immediately
Best served immediately to enjoy its fresh flavors.