published Aug 06, 2021, updated Oct 16, 2024 I love a good appetizer. It can make a simple meal even heartier, and I’ve also been known to go a little crazy and make an entire dinner out of apps. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it! Bite-sized or small portion appetizers are popular everywhere you go. In Greek and Lebanese cuisine, they serve them on a large platter known as a mezze (or meze).A typical Levantine mezze might include a dip like mutabal or a cheese spread like tyrokafteri served with an assortment of bread like khachapuri, simit, and khubz for serving. Another popular addition to many mezze platters is fried or baked appetizers like kibbeh!
Kibbeh
Cuisine of Origin: Middle Eastern / Lebanese Favorite items on a mezze platter in Lebanon include savory bites such as couscous cakes, cauliflower fritters, and lamb or beef croquettes known as kibbeh. These are a delicious treat made of and filled with a mixture of ground meat, bulgur wheat and earthy Middle Eastern seasonings. Also popular in: Iraq, Armenia, Syria, Portugal, Dominican Republic, BrazilCommon names/spellings: Kibbeh, kibeh, kibe, kipe, quipe, croquettes, kibbeh ballsPreparations: Raw (kibbeh nayeh), baked, deep fried, pan fried, or broiledDescription:The Arabic word kibbeh means, “ball”, or “form into a ball”. The outer casing is made of ground meat, bulgur wheat, onions and mint leaves. That mixture is formed into football-shaped croquettes filled with more ground meat that’s seasoned with Middle Eastern spices and pine nuts.Although these special beef croquettes are popular in many countries, kibbeh is so loved by the Lebanese people, it is the national dish of Lebanon.Recipe Difficulty: Medium 🥄🥄
Kibbeh Recipe Video
There are plenty of photos that show the process of making the filling and casing for beef or lamb kibbeh below. To see the process from start to finish, watch the video in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Ground Meat – Beef and lamb are the most popular options for this dish. I prefer beef myself for yummy beef croquettes. Pine Nuts – If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, toasted and ground almonds or cashews are a good substitute for pine nuts. Olive Oil – To pan-fry your pine nuts! Onions – Opt for white onions for your kibbeh recipe. Mint Leaves & Parsley – Use fresh and make sure to chop them. It’s another essential add-on your beef croquettes. Cinnamon – For a bit of added spice. Allspice – This spice works wonderfully with cinnamon and adds much to the flavor profile of the dish. Pomegranate Molasses – This unique ingredient lends a bit of sweetness to the meat mixture. You can purchase it online. Salt & Black Pepper – You’ll need them for the filling and for the outer casing. Bulgur Wheat – For dishes like beef croquettes, you’ll want to use fine-grain bulgur wheat, also known as #1 Fine. You should be able to find it at a Middle Eastern market. Vegetable Oil – If you want to fry your kibbeh recipe, use the vegetable oil of your choice. For Serving – Use any of the garnishes below: Sumac – A spice known for its tart citrus flavor. Lemon Slices Tahini Yogurt Sauce – I love my homemade version! Mint Leaves
HOW TO MAKE KIBBEH (BEEF CROQUETTES)
- Make The Filling. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat a tablespoon of olive oil so that you can pan-fry the pine nuts. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add more oil and place the onions in the skillet. Sauté for about 10 minutes over medium heat, then add the ground meat, mint, parsley, cinnamon, allspice, pomegranate molasses, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook until the meat is cooked (you shouldn’t see any pink). Set aside. 💡 PRO TIPDon’t own a food processor? It’s fine; just be sure to finely grate the onion. Rather than using a knife, grating is much easier using the small holes on a box grater.
- Create The Outer Casing. Rinse the bulgur under cool water until the water runs clear and set it aside. Using your food processor, pulse the onion until it’s minced. Add in the ground meat of your choice, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and pepper. Pulse for up to 20 seconds, or until the mixture turns to a paste. In a large bowl, add the bulgar to the paste and mix thoroughly for 3 minutes.
- Assemble Your Kibbeh. Lay a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet and make sure that you have a bit of water nearby to wet your hands. Roll 3-tablespoon-sized balls of the filling until you have 32 balls. Using damp hands, use your index finger to press down on the center of the ball. Be careful not to tear the sides and don’t press through the ball completely — you’re essentially creating a package that will hold your filling. This step can be a bit difficult, so be patient with yourself! Place 1 ½ teaspoon of the filling into the casing and pinch to seal. Wet your fingers again and form an oval. Repeat until you’ve made all 32.
- Bake Or Fry. You can either bake your kibbeh recipe at 400°F for about 30 minutes, or you can fry it in vegetable oil for 2-3 minutes on each side and browned all over.
Tips for Stuffing and Rolling
Kibbeh Recipe Cooking Instructions
Frying Baking
What Meat Is Kibbeh Made Of?
You can make your kibbeh recipe with the ground meat of your choice. Options include ground beef, lamb, turkey, chicken, and pork. Use your preference!
What Can I Serve With Kibbeh?
I love the idea of creating a mezze platter. If you’ll be serving these as a snack or light appetizer, it’s nice to include some Tahini Yogurt Sauce for dipping. I like to also serve it with pita, flatbreads and spreads like cilantro mint or tomato chutney. Croquettes also go well with salads, like this Greek feta salad, Mast o Khiar (Persian cucumber salad), or Kisir (Turkish bulgur salad).
Is Kibbeh Syrian or Lebanese?
It’s hard to pin down where this snack originated from. It’s actually considered the national dish of both countries! They are also often seen in Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Armenia, Turkey, and Israel. This post, originally published on Silk Road Recipes August, 2021, was updated with new content, photos and/or video in August, 2022.
