Middle Eastern Kibbeh

4.6
(52)
39 Reviews
9 Photos

Kibbeh is a wonderful dish from the Middle East traditionally made with lamb meat but beef is acceptable, too. I prefer it made into patties and fried in olive oil. However, it is most often found in restaurants in baked form. Serve kibbeh with tahini, a sesame seed paste.

Submitted by Ron Shepherd
Updated on September 29, 2024
Tested by
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
12
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 12 servings

  • ⅔ cup medium coarse bulgur

  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves

  • 1 large onion, chopped

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground lamb

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

  1. Place bulgur in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with water just to the top of the bulgur. Place in the microwave and cook on High 1 to 2 minutes until bulgur is swollen and the water is absorbed. Toss briefly and allow to stand until cool.

  2. Place the mint leaves in the bowl of a food processor. Process, gradually adding onion through the feed tube, until both mint and onion are finely chopped. Stir the mint-onion mixture into the bulgur, with the cumin, allspice, salt, and pepper. Stir the bulgur mixture into the ground lamb and mix thoroughly. Using damp hands, shape the lamb mixture into small, palm-sized patties.

  3. Place the olive oil in a skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the kibbeh patties and cook until outside is golden brown and center is cooked through, turning once, about 6 minutes on each side.

Cook’s Note

Kibbeh can also be baked. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Press the lamb mixture evenly 3/4 to 1 inch thick into an 8x8 inch pan. Drizzle 3 tablespoons olive oil over the top. Bake in preheated oven until the top is light brown, 35 to 40 minutes depending on thickness. Cool, cut into diamond-shape pieces while still in the pan, and serve.

75 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

159 Calories
10g Fat
7g Carbs
11g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 159
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g 12%
Saturated Fat 3g 17%
Cholesterol 38mg 13%
Sodium 228mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 11g 22%
Vitamin C 2mg 3%
Calcium 22mg 2%
Iron 1mg 7%
Potassium 193mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.