Though the Middle East is renowned for its love of red meat, it also has some incredible vegetarian options available!

These dishes include a large variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains, which means they also tend to be packed with a large variety of nutrients.

In this list, I’ll let you in on some of my absolute favorite Lebanese vegetarian recipes.

With these recipes, you’ll be able to cook a full, mouth-watering spread of mezze foods for your family or a gathering of friends. Let’s get started!

Jump to:

• Makdous
• Authentic Lebanese Hummus
• Batata Harra
• Baba Ganoush
• Banadurah Harrah (Tomato Salsa)
• Falafel
• Vermicelli Rice
• Bamya Okra
• Mujadara
• Malfouf (Lebanese Cabbage Roll)
• Fatteh
• Arnabeet (Fried Cauliflower Bites)
• Lebanese Street Fries
• Macaroni b’Halib
• Soups
• Spinach and Lemon Lentil Soup
• Lebanese Chickpea Stew
• Maghmour (Lebanese Moussaka)
• Fattoush Salad
• Shirazi Salad
• Tabbouleh Salad
• Dandelion Greens Salad
• Lubia (Green Beans)
• Pita Bread
• Za’atar Flatbread (Manakish)
• Fatayer
• Ka’ak Bread
• Lemon Tahini Sauce (Falafel Sauce)
• Labneh
• Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
• Toum (Lebanese Garlic Sauce)
• Baklawa
• Maamoul
• 13 Irresistible Lebanese Desserts
• Fruit Cocktails
• 💬 Comments

Appetizers

Makdous

Makdous are pickled eggplants stuffed with walnuts and herbs, soaked for around a week in extra virgin olive oil.

It’s savory, spicy, and sour all at the same time! The texture combo of crunchy nuts and smooth eggplant is absolutely divine, and it’s guaranteed to have you hooked after your first bite.

The biggest downside of this recipe is that you have to restrain yourself for at least a week while they pickle. Other than that, this is something you should definitely try!

Authentic Lebanese Hummus

If you’re making a spread of Lebanese food, you cannot miss the hummus.

Hummus is a staple of Mediterranean foods, and Lebanon is no exception! It’s smooth, tangy, savory, and full of healthy nutrients. There really is no equal to high-quality, fresh hummus.

You’ve probably tried the supermarket version, but trust me: homemade hummus is just worlds better than the store-bought stuff. Once I tried proper hummus made the traditional way, I’ve never looked back!

Even better, it’s incredibly easy to make and takes just 15 minutes. Once it’s done, it goes wonderfully with just about anything!

My favorite way of eating hummus will always be with some fresh-out-of-the-oven pita bread, or some carrot and cucumber sticks if I’m feeling extra healthy that day.

Batata Harra

This classic Lebanese vegetarian side dish is spicy and filling, featuring easy-to-get ingredients combined into an incredibly tasty kick.

It’s made by frying potatoes in oil infused with spices, garlic, and chili. They’re crispy, absolutely exploding with flavor, and completely addicting!

The ingredients and relatively straightforward cooking method mean you can easily whip up a serving for guests or a party.

Batata with a spread of other Lebanese side dishes or as a filling for pita sandwiches.

Baba Ganoush

This dish is made with roasted eggplant mixed with tahini, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and parsley.

It’s another straightforward recipe to prepare with only a few basic ingredients, but it tastes absolutely incredible! Baba ganoush is creamy and has an earthy, tangy, garlicky flavor that makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

This appetizer is also packed with nutrients, which is always a plus. It’s right at home when served with fresh pita bread (to be fair, what isn’t?), but also works well with tabbouleh, fattoush, and even a meat dish like shawarma or kafta.

Banadurah Harrah (Tomato Salsa)

This Lebanese salsa isn’t difficult to prepare, taking only 20 minutes from start to finish.

All you need are tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, cayenne, and mint. These are ingredients you likely already have in your pantry!

Tomato salsa is heaven with pita and also works well with pita chips or any eggplant dish. The spicy kick isn’t that common in Lebanese cuisine, but nonetheless gives a special and unique flavor in a Lebanese mezze.

Main Courses

Falafel

This is my absolute favorite on this list. I could eat falafel all day, every day!

Luckily for me (and you!), it’s not that hard to make once you get the hang of it. Plus, you can freeze the uncooked mixture for some quick chow later on.

Falafel is a simple mixture of ground chickpeas, onions, and fresh herbs. It’s then rolled into balls and fried in oil before being served in a wrap with some tahini sauce.

They’re packed with protein and delectable to boot, so they’re the ideal treat for any and all occasions!

You can also put them in sandwiches, salads, rice bowls, or on a party platter or charcuterie board. My favorite way to eat them is in a pita pocket with hummus and garlic yogurt sauce. Yum!

Vermicelli Rice

Vermicelli rice is a versatile dish that’s used as a base for numerous other Lebanese recipes – commonly used as an alternative to plain white or brown rice.

It’s created by mixing long-grain rice, olive oil, and fried vermicelli noodles. This results in a soft, crunchy, flavorful base for pretty much anything you can think of. Alternatively, eat it plain or with a little bit of sauce.

Best of all, it only takes about half an hour to prep and serve!

Bamya Okra

To make this Arabian dish, combine okra and tomato stew and then serve over white or vermicelli rice.

It’s a popular dish in many Middle Eastern countries, especially when the weather is colder. It’s hearty, healthy, filling, and comfortable as a side or a main. Just make sure you have some flatbread to mop up the last dregs of your sauce!

You can have it on the table in an hour and it only needs eight ingredients – super convenient! Plus, it’s rich in vitamins and packed full with dietary fiber.

My favorite thing about bamya okra is that it makes for wonderful leftovers; some people even say it tastes better on the second day.

Mujadara

This is a delicious Lebanese dish made from rice and lentils, garnished with crispy, caramelized onions.

It’s cheap, filling, and nutritious; it just doesn’t get any better than that!

For how simple the recipe is, I can’t get over how tasty it is. In Lebanon, Mujadara is considered a “poor man's stew” because of the common ingredients.

However, I think you’ll feel you’re eating like a king once you experience the exquisite texture and explosive flavors!

This one’s a little trickier due to the process of caramelizing onions, but once you get the hang of it – easy-peasy.

Malfouf (Lebanese Cabbage Roll)

These cabbage rolls are stuffed with spiced lentils and rice, then cooked with lots of mint, lemon, and garlic until they’re very tender.

The ingredient list is very short: just cabbage, rice, spices, garlic, and pomegranate molasses. Note that rolling the cabbage can be tricky at first, so this can take a bit longer to prep. But trust me, it’s more than worth it!

Whether you’re feeding your family or a group of friends, these handy treats will probably disappear in minutes once they’ve been served.

Fatteh

This Lebanese salad has crunchy, fried pita bread, spicy chickpeas, eggplant, and yogurt — all classic Middle Eastern ingredients.

In Lebanon, this dish is normally saved for special occasions or visitors. But hey, if you’re like me, you serve this recipe any chance you get!

Unlike some of the other recipes here, fatteh takes a bit of extra time and skill to make, so it might be a bit challenging at first. Still, once you spend a bit of time with the basics, it starts to get a lot quicker and easier.

Arnabeet (Fried Cauliflower Bites)

With fried cauliflower bits and delectable tahini sauce, this vegetarian dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

It only uses a few ingredients and you can have it made in 30 minutes, meaning it's a great choice for parties and large gatherings. Each bite of this crispy and nutritious treat is sure to wow your guests!

It goes wonderfully alongside curries, soups, and pretty much any other Lebanese fare. Or, simply munch them on their own!

Lebanese Street Fries

If you walk the streets of Beirut, you’ll find them lined with food vendors selling all kinds of delicacies. One of the most popular street food choices out there is Lebanese street fries!

They’re a simple, fried potato dish best combined with coleslaw or as a sandwich filling. I just love eating them in a pita pocket with some mayo/ketchup and shredded cabbage!

Macaroni b’Halib

If you’re anything like me, you’re not a huge fan of the ultra-cheesy taste of American mac and cheese. That’s why this dish is a life-changing discovery!

Macaroni b’Halib is a rustic treat beloved by kids. It’s also something you can whip up in minutes, making it a quick and reliable weekday meal.

To make it, look for pasta, milk, butter, flour, and breadcrumbs – all things you probably already have in your pantry. It combines soft, creamy pasta and a crunchy breadcrumb topping that comes together wonderfully.

It’s also surprisingly easy to add chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, or pretty much anything else. Feel free to be creative!

Soups

Spinach and Lemon Lentil Soup

This delightful one-pot soup is one of my favorite comfort foods.

It’s made with lentils, spinach, potatoes, carrots, and lemon. Put together, they make a healthy, filling stew that feeds both body and soul.

It also freezes easily, so makes for an excellent meal to prepare ahead of time!

Lebanese Chickpea Stew

This stew is vibrant and popping with so much flavor. It has a smoky, nutty, tangy taste that’s completely unique to Lebanese cuisine.

To make it, simply combine tomato paste, chickpeas, roasted red peppers, and za’atar spice.

Best of all, this chickpea stew won’t take up much of your time – and it’ll fill your house with the most heavenly smell while you cook! Pair it with a good, homemade flatbread and it’s simply irresistible.

Maghmour (Lebanese Moussaka)

This vegan-friendly dish is made with eggplant, chickpeas, onion, garlic, and tomatoes. It also has a luxurious, spicy red sauce that’s to die for!

Maghmour is friendly to even the most novice of all beginners, and it rewards your effort with a dish that’s absolutely bursting with flavor.

It’s one of my go-to foods to pair with vermicelli rice since the texture contrast works so seamlessly together.

Salads

Fattoush Salad

When it comes to greens, I reach for fattoush salad on many occasions! This Lebanese salad combines an amazing trio of fried pita pieces, lettuce, and chopped veggies.

It’s very straightforward while still packing a complex flavor profile, and also completely different from salads you might’ve had in the past.

I love crispy textures, making this my favorite salad by far. The thin, crunchy pita bits on top are just scrumptious. And even better, the fresh and spicy notes make fattoush an ideal choice in summer!

Shirazi Salad

Shirazi salad is a cucumber and tomato salad that’s vibrant and full of flavor!

You can find it all over the Middle East where fresh food and natural ingredients are king. For me, Shirazi salad is one of the best examples of how aesthetically pleasing Lebanese cuisine can be! It’s just so refreshing and gorgeous to look at.

Unlike a lot of other Lebanese salads, it’s also gluten-free as it doesn’t use any bulgar or pita.

Tabbouleh Salad

This herby, citrusy green salad is made with parsley, mint, cucumber, and bulgur wheat.

If you’re serving meat dishes or hearty meals like stew or soup, tabbouleh salad is often the perfect partner!

It has a chewy texture with a spicy, varied flavor, and it should be eaten cold. In terms of serving suggestions, tabbouleh salad can be enjoyed by itself or with a spread of other Lebanese dishes!

It jives so well with hummus and pita bread, like many other Lebanese recipes. You can even add tabbouleh to a pita sandwich!

Dandelion Greens Salad

Westerners might find it strange to eat a weed like dandelion. But in other parts of the world, they’ve been a regular staple for centuries!

Rest assured: they’re not only nutritious, but also affordable and delicious. Dandelions are also full of vitamins and an excellent source of fiber.

This salad provides an important role for dandelion greens to play, letting them take center stage with their earthy and unique flavor. It’s also cheap and isn’t a hassle to make at all.

When I have batata harra, I often go for a side of dandelion greens salad. They just pair so well together!

Lubia (Green Beans)

Also known as Lebanese green beans, lubia doesn’t take a ton of skill to prepare.

Made with green beans in a warm tomato and onion broth, it also doesn’t take much time to make and can be whipped up in around thirty minutes.

Whenever I make lubia, I often pair it with vermicelli rice or flatbread to really heighten the flavors!

Bread and Dough-Based Recipes

Pita Bread

A lot like hummus, you can’t have a Lebanese spread without including pita bread.

This soft-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside flatbread forms a pocket you can fill with all sorts of tasty fillings. It’s also pretty straightforward!

Warm pita bread with homemade hummus is one of my all-time favorite things to eat. It’s reliable, homey, and the ultimate comfort food in my eyes.

Za’atar Flatbread (Manakish)

This flatbread recipe is all dressed up with thyme, sumac, marjoram, sesame seeds, and salt.

It’s a popular breakfast dish often served with hot tea or coffee and other Middle Eastern side dishes. Za’atar is savory and rustic, baked with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and an amazing spice blend!

It’s also quite versatile, so it pairs excellently with most other Lebanese foods.

Fatayer

These vegetarian Lebanese pies can be filled with all sorts of ingredients, most commonly cheese, spinach, or meat.

They’re super yummy and are a great on-the-go snack. If you’re holding a party, fatayer is also a solid option for finger food!

Spinach fatayer are my favorite — their tangy and savory filling is a dramatic contrast to the crunchy pastry. If you’re more of a cheese fan, you can even fill them with all sorts of cheeses for different flavor effects.

Ka’ak Bread

Also known as “Lebanese Purse Bread”, this flatbread has a hole in its center that makes it look like an adorable purse handle!

They’re a very popular street food in Beirut – carried around on a pole for easy transport – which is why they have this handle shape! Sometimes, you’ll find them slit and coated with za’atar or cheese for extra flavor.

The bread is simple but quite the treat, so it’s a reliable companion for most Lebanese mains.

Condiments

Lemon Tahini Sauce (Falafel Sauce)

In my opinion, this is the best sauce to have with falafel in any form. Another advantage is that lemon tahini sauce can even be used as a salad dressing or sandwich spread.

All you need is tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, and salt. Combine them, and within 10 minutes – you’ve got yourself a tasty condiment!

I just adore this sauce in falafel wraps. It’s thick and creamy, with a tangy flavor and that classic tahini sesame taste.

Labneh

Labneh is a traditional Lebanese yogurt made from milk. It’s very popular with pita bread, topped on a rice dish, or as a sandwich spread.

Labneh is a bit salty and has a slight tang to it; you’ll notice that it’s fairly similar to yogurt, but also has a texture that’s more like soft cheese.

I love it with kibbeh, kafta, or other rich foods. The melding of flavors is just divine!

Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

This is a refreshing yogurt condiment made with mint and cucumber.

It’s healthy, tasty, and perfect for hot summer weather. It also takes just 10 minutes to prepare, so it’s a no-brainer for when you’re on the go!

Toum (Lebanese Garlic Sauce)

Toum is a slightly heavier garlic sauce made with oil and lemon juice that’s popular in sandwiches or with falafel.

It’s also a bit like mayo, but it doesn't contain any egg – making it a great vegan option.

Don’t let its creamy, whipped texture fool you; toum surprisingly packs a spicy flavor thanks to the interaction between the ingredients!

I often pair this with pita chips or any other Lebanese flatbread I can get my hands on for the ultimate afternoon snack.

Desserts

Baklawa

You’ve probably heard of Baklava, which hails from Greece and Turkey. Baklawa is the Lebanese version, and it has a few differences – the most notable being that it uses rose water instead of cinnamon.

This layered treat is made with pastry, filled with sugary walnuts, and topped with a rose water syrup that keeps things from being too dry. It’s sweet, smells amazing, and is super addicting. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Maamoul

I admit that maamoul isn’t the easiest dessert to make. That’s because it requires a specific tool and some clever techniques you can only master after lots of practice.

However, it’s completely worth all the effort!

This popular shortbread is usually stuffed with dates, pistachios, almonds, or walnuts. It melts in the mouth and floods the tastebuds with a unique flavor I just haven’t found anywhere else!

If you’re interested in more Lebanese desserts, please check out this article:

13 Irresistible Lebanese Desserts

Desserts are a whole world of their own in Lebanese cuisine, and I really can’t do them justice here. I’m sure you’ll find something to love in this list of 13 irresistible Lebanese desserts!

Drinks

Fruit Cocktails

An excellent pairing for Lebanese food is Middle Eastern fruit cocktails.

The fresh, fruity notes and natural sweetness go wonderfully with most Lebanese flavors. Plus, they’re so much fun to make!

These are also incredibly refreshing during the summertime and are tantalizing with their attractive, eye-catching colors.

When I’m have company over, I love whipping up some fruit cocktails and mocktails to share with everyone – especially if we’re eating outdoors by the barbecue!