Main Course · Dinner · Middle Eastern ·

Tender Lebanese Kibbeh Labanieh

Name: Tender Lebanese Kibbeh Labanieh
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Fine bulgur wheat, Rinsed and soaked for 10 minutes; Ground beef or lamb, 500g; Small onion, finely grated; Ground cumin, 1 teaspoon; Ground allspice, 1 teaspoon; Salt and pepper to taste; Ground beef or lamb, 200g; Small onion, finely chopped; Toasted pine nuts, 1/2 cup; Olive oil, 1 tablespoon; Salt and pepper to taste; Plain full-fat yogurt, 4 cups; Cornstarch, 1 tablespoon; Egg white, 1; Butter, 1 tablespoon; Garlic cloves, minced, 2 cloves; Salt to taste; Fresh mint leaves, chopped; Pomegranate seeds

Delight in the authentic flavors of Lebanon with these tender kibbeh meatballs simmered in a rich, tangy yogurt sauce. Perfect for a heartwarming meal.

4.9(503 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 14, 2025

Tender Lebanese Kibbeh Labanieh — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Kibbeh

For the Filling

For the Yogurt Sauce

For the Finishing Touch

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 875 kcal
Protein: 43.1 g
Carbs: 31.4 g
Fat: 69.7 g
Fiber: 4.2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3498 kcal
Protein: 172.2 g
Carbs: 125.7 g
Fat: 278.8 g
Fiber: 16.7 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Fine bulgur wheat Rinsed and soaked for 10 minutes	170	6	36	0.5	8
Ground beef or lamb 500g	1475	85	0	125	0
Small onion, finely grated	15	0.5	3.5	0	0.5
Ground cumin 1 teaspoon	8	0.4	0.9	0.5	0.3
Ground allspice 1 teaspoon	6	0.1	1.4	0.2	0.7
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Ground beef or lamb 200g	590	34	0	50	0
Small onion, finely chopped	15	0.5	3.5	0	0.5
Toasted pine nuts 1/2 cup	450	9	9	45	5
Olive oil 1 tablespoon	120	0	0	14	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Plain full-fat yogurt 4 cups	560	32	48	32	0
Cornstarch 1 tablespoon	30	0	7	0	0
Egg white	17	3.6	0.2	0	0
Butter 1 tablespoon	102	0.1	0	11	0
Garlic cloves, minced 2 cloves	9	0.4	2	0	0.1
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh mint leaves, chopped	1	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.1
Pomegranate seeds	30	0.5	7	0.5	1.5

These are nutritional estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Kibbeh

1
Combine ingredients
Combine the soaked bulgur, ground meat, grated onion, cumin, allspice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2
Knead the mixture
Knead the mixture until it becomes a smooth, cohesive dough.
3
Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Preparing the Filling

1
Sauté onions
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until translucent.
2
Brown the meat
Add the ground meat, cooking until browned.
3
Add pine nuts
Stir in the toasted pine nuts, seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let cool.

How to Make Tender Lebanese Kibbeh Labanieh

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Shape the Kibbeh
Take small portions of the kibbeh dough, form into balls, then flatten and fill with the prepared meat mixture, sealing edges.
2
Prepare the Yogurt Sauce
In a pot, whisk yogurt, cornstarch, and egg white. Heat on low, simmering gently.
3
Simmer the Kibbeh
Gently place shaped kibbeh into the simmering yogurt sauce, cooking for 20-25 minutes.