One of the most impressive aspects of Lebanese cuisine is its flavor and nutrition balance. It incorporates vegetables, grains, meat, olive oil, lemon, and spices. For beginners and the busy, this Lebanese dishes A to Z guide simplifies everything for you.
It’s time to enjoy Lebanese dishes with easy instructions: common ingredients, simple preparation guides, quick recipes, and tips.
A – Appetizers (Mezze)
Every Lebanese meal begins with an array of small dishes known as mezze, these comprise of:
- Hummus — Chickpeas, Tahini, lemon, and garlic
- Baba Ghanoush — Smoked eggplant dip
- Labneh — Strained yogurt with herbs and olive oil
- Warak Enab — Stuffed grape leaves filled with rice, herbs, and spices
All these can be prepared quickly, served heat, cold, or warm, and are reminisce back to being one of the most famous Lebanese foods.
B – Bread (Khobz)
Khobz, or more widely known as Lebanese pita bread, completes every meal. It can be used to scoop dip, wrap meat, or served alongside stews. Like everything else, Khobz can be bought or made with flour, yeast, and olive oil.
C – Chicken Shawarma
Chicken shawarma ranks among the best shawarma dishes all across Lebanon. The marinated chicken is grilled, sliced, and wrapped in pita bread with garlic sauce and pickles. Shawarma can be prepared either in the oven or a skillet.
D – Desserts
Dessert lovers can now enjoy:
- Baklava – Contains filo pastry with nuts and syrup bases.
- Muhallebi – English custard dessert made from rice flour and flower water.
- Knefeh – A cheese based dessert sprinkled with syrup and a semolina crust.
Even though all of these are mouth-watering, I believe that Maaloul is less complex than baklava.
E – Eggplant Dishes
Moussaka is an eggplant stew that consists of chickpeas and tomatoes. Baba ghanoush can be enjoyed with eggplant as the stewed option.
- Sheikh el Mahshi – Eggplant stuffed with meat and pine nuts.
Both are perfect with rice and vegetarian friendly.
F – Falafel
Fried grated chickpeas with herbs and spices formed into dough balls are called falafel. They can be served in bowls, or in a wrap drizzled with tahini. For a healthier alternative, they can also be baked.
G – Garlic Sauce (Toum)
Toum is made with garlic, oil, lemon juice, and salt. It goes great with grilled chicken and beef, and even with fries. The best part about making toum is blending, though it does take some time. The effort is worth it.
H – Hummus Variations
On top of standard hummus, there is beet, spicy, and avocado hummus as well. These variations are all easy to prepare and add to your mezze platter.
I – Ingredients to Always Have
Make sure your pantry includes:
- Olive fue
- Canned or dried chickpeas
- Tahini
- Sumac
- Allspice
- Garlic and lemons
With these handy, you can whip up most Lebanese dishes with ease.
J – Juices
These refreshing Lebanese dishes include:
- Jallab – Grape molasses with rose water and pine nuts.
- Mint Lemonade – Easy to make and great for cooling off.
K – Kibbeh
Traditional kibbeh comes from Lebanon and is prepared using ground meat, bulgur, and spices. The simplest type is kibbeh bil sanieh – it’s baked in a tray like a pie, so no frying is necessary!
L – Shorbat Adas (Lentil Soup)
This red lentil soup is always warm, filling, healthy and prepared with onions, cumin, and lemon juice. It’s one of the most effortless Lebanese foods to enjoy during winter.
M – Manakish
Manakish resembles pizza because it’s a flatbread topped with za’atar, cheese, or minced meat. It’s a fun and easy dish to prepare for the Lebanese.
N – Nut Based Dishes
Lebanese desserts tend to include a plethora of these nuts: almonds, pistachios and walnuts. Some of these are:
- Barazek (sesame cookies)
- Meghli (rice pudding with nuts)
O – Oven Baked Meals
Many dishes in Lebanon such as kibbeh, roasted harra chicken with potatoes, and stuffed vegetables are baked. This helps to keep the meals healthy and easy to manage.
P – Mukhallalat (Pickles)
Pickled turns, pickles, and carrots are served as sides to almost every dish. These are easy to prepare at home using salt, vinegar, and water.
Q – Quick Lebanese Snacks
Complete these snacks without breaking a sweat:
- Chips and hummus.
- Labneh with olive oil.
- Olives and cheese.
Put everything on a plate and dig in—no prep required.
R – Rice Dishes
Rice comes with a side of toasted vermicelli noodles in butter. Add nuts and raisins to make Hashweh—rice with minced meat and spices.
S – Salads
Two well-known salads are:
- Tabbouleh – Parsley, tomato, onion, bulgur, and lemon.
- Fattoush – Lettuce, radish, cucumber, tomato, along with savory fried bread.
Refreshing, uncomplicated, and quick to make.
T – Tahini-Based Sauces
Use tahini (sesame paste) for:
- Tarator – Garlic tahini sauce used as a dip for falafel or fish.
- Dressing for salads or roasted veggies.
U – Unique Dishes to Try
For those looking to try something new, dig into Shish Barak (which is dumplings with meat simmered in a creamy yogurt sauce) and Moghrabieh, Lebanese couscous.
V – Vegetarian Lebanese Food
Lebanese food comes from an incredibly rich culture, and is very much plant-based. Try these vegetarian dishes if you need inspiration:
- Lentil soup
- Falafel
- Moussaka
- Mujaddara (lentils and rice with caramelized onions)
W – Wraps
Try these Shawarma and Falafel dishes as easy to make wraps. Grilled halloumi also makes for a great filling.
Simply wrap in a pita, add some veggies, sauce, and you’re done!
Y – Yogurt Dishes
Labneh and Laban (drinkable yogurt) are both served and used as sauces with meals. They may also be garnished with garlic, some mint, and diced cucumber.
Z – Za’atar
A mix of thyme, sesame, sumac, and salt gives life to this dish. It can be used in bread, salads, or sprinkled over eggs to enjoy some Lebanese flavor.
Final Thoughts
These easy Lebanese dishes are here to save you time while preparing family dinners, setting up dinner parties, or planning healthy meals. They offer balance, freshness, and splendid simplicity regardless of the course .
If you’re new to Lebanese cuisine, try Middle Eastern cooking with the ever famous hummus, tabbouleh, or baked kibbeh, and you’ll soon find mesmerizing flavors from Lebanon.