Lebanese cuisine is filled with tradition and flavor. Cooking is considered a family affair in Lebanon, as well as for Lebanese families in other parts of the world. Just like other Middle Eastern foods, vegetables are also the star of Lebanese dishes that buildon flavors, meats, and whole grains around it.
Lebanese Food Defined
Lebanese food is the traditional food that originatesin Lebanon and is made up ofwhole grains such as bulgar or cracked wheat, fresh vegetables, poultry, fish, and red meats of beef and lamb.
Spices such as cinnamon and mint are typicallyadded to savory dishes. Lemons, heart-healthy olive oils, pistachios, and pine nuts are also common.
Traditional Lebanese food is also rich in chickpeas or garbanzo beans, garlic, onions, and tahini or sesame paste are all nearly everyday staples.
Here are some of the most popular and delicious Lebanese foods that are part of the country’s cuisine:
Tabbouleh
It is a delish vegan salad made with lots ofcracked wheat or bulgar, green onions, parsley, andtomatoes. Another popular Lebanese salad is fattoush made with fried pita chips rather than cracked wheat.
Stuffed Vegetables
Lebanese cuisine, and other Middle Eastern foods, are best known for stuffed vegetables. Vegetables are traditionally stuffed with ground lamb or beef and rice with cinnamon as seasoning. The stuffed veggies are cooked in lemon juice and oil or tomato sauce. Some of the common vegetables to stuff are zucchini, squash,cabbage leaves, grapeand eggplant leaves, or Swiss chard.
Shawarma
Shawarma is one of the most common street foods made of grilled meat that can be beef, lamb, or chicken and then served wrapped in fresh pita bread. Some other types of grilled meats such as Kafta and shish kabob are famously Lebanese as well.
Meat Pies or Sfeehas
Meat pies are delicious and flavorful bread dough pastries filled with ground beef or lamb and common Lebanese spices. These meat pies are often considered the best Lebanese food. Another type of stuffed bread dough pastry is fatayer filled with spinach or cheese.
Manakish
Manakish is a traditional Middle Eastern bread with za’atar spices, lemon juice, and olive oil as toppings.
Kibbeh
Kibbeh is a certified Lebanese staple, which is mostly the Lebanese version of meatloaf. It is either made with ground lean ground beef or lamb. Kibbeh is often stuffed with a sautéed combination of ground lamb or beef,pine nuts, and onionswith cinnamon as a spice. This can be served as baked or raw or called kibbeh nayeh, or it can also be shaped into balls and fried.
Hummus
Hummus has started gaining traction in many parts of the world over the past several years. It is a type of creamy bean dip made with sesame paste or tahini, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. It is among the most popular side dishes in Lebanon and is also considered vegan.
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