Main Course · Middle Eastern · Dinner ·

Lebanese Meat Kibbeh with Mint and Pine Nuts

Name: Lebanese Meat Kibbeh with Mint and Pine Nuts
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 cups fine bulgur wheat; 1 lb ground beef; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 1 tsp allspice; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper; ¼ cup water, if needed; 1 lb ground beef; ½ cup pine nuts, toasted; 1 small onion, finely chopped; ½ cup fresh mint, chopped; 1 tsp seven spice blend; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 cup thick yogurt; 1 bunch fresh mint, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp lemon juice; Salt to taste

Savory bulgur wheat and minced beef, filled with aromatic pine nuts and fresh mint, this dish is a celebration of flavors and textures.

4.5(490 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 4, 2026

Lebanese Meat Kibbeh with Mint and Pine Nuts — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Kibbeh Shell

Filling

Mint Sauce

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 395 kcal
Protein: 25.5 g
Carbs: 18.9 g
Fat: 25.6 g
Fiber: 3.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3159 kcal
Protein: 204 g
Carbs: 151 g
Fat: 205 g
Fiber: 28 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 cups fine bulgur wheat	480	17	104	2	16
1 lb ground beef	864	84	0	60	0
1 large onion finely chopped	46	1	11	0	2
1 tsp allspice	6	0	1	0	1
1 tsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
½ tsp black pepper	3	0	1	0	1
¼ cup water if needed	0	0	0	0	0
1 lb ground beef	864	84	0	60	0
½ cup pine nuts toasted	454	9	11	47	5
1 small onion finely chopped	28	1	7	0	1
½ cup fresh mint chopped	2	0	0	0	1
1 tsp seven spice blend	5	0	1	0	1
1 tsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
2 tbsp olive oil	240	0	0	28	0
1 cup thick yogurt	150	8	12	8	0
1 bunch fresh mint finely chopped	4	0	1	0	1
2 cloves garlic minced	9	0	2	0	0
1 tbsp lemon juice	4	0	1	0	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Kibbeh Shell

1
Rinse and Drain Bulgur
Rinse bulgur wheat under cold water and drain.
2
Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine bulgur, ground beef, onion, allspice, salt, and pepper.
3
Mix and Knead
Mix well and knead until smooth, adding water if necessary.
Tip: Use a food processor to achieve a fine kibbeh shell mixture.

Preparing the Filling

1
Heat Oil
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2
Cook Onions and Beef
Sauté onions until golden, then add the ground beef and cook until browned.
3
Add Nuts and Spices
Stir in pine nuts, mint, seven spice, and salt. Cook for another 5 minutes and set aside.
Tip: Ensure the filling is cool before stuffing into the kibbeh.

How to Make Lebanese Meat Kibbeh with Mint and Pine Nuts

Total time: 2 h · Yields 8 servings

1
Forming the Shells
Shape 2 tbsp of kibbeh shell mix into an oval and hollow it with your finger.
2
Stuffing
Fill the hollow shell with the meat filling, then seal it.
3
Frying
Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer to 350°F and fry kibbeh until golden brown.