Meat, Maghreb and Middle East
Baked kibbeh with salad
Baked kibbeh is a Lebanese dish for 4 people, ready in 90 minutes, medium difficulty, costing €2.90 per person. Two layers of bulgur mixed with ground beef wrap around a filling of softened onions and toasted pine nuts. The key to success is a smooth dough and a filling that's fully cooled before assembly.
Tonight, Lebanese baked kibbeh, two layers of bulgur and beef around an onion and pine nut filling, served with salad and yogurt.
- Total time
- 1 h 30
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cost per person
- €2.90
- Calories per person
- 610 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Fall, Winter
Baked kibbeh looks like a savory cake, two firm layers of bulgur and beef, lightly spiced with cinnamon, enclosing a filling of melting onions and crunchy pine nuts. Baking it in the oven browns the top while keeping the inside moist, quite different from the fried kibbeh balls sometimes sold under the same name.
This is a dish for a Sunday or for guests, since it takes more time than a typical weeknight dinner. It appeals to anyone who loves meat with warm, gentle spices, and the tomato and mint salad with yogurt brings the freshness that balances every bite.
The ingredients
Pantry
- Fine bulguroften in the pantry 300 g
- Pine nuts 50 g
- Cinnamonoften in the pantry 1 tsp
- Allspiceoften in the pantry 1 tsp
- Oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Butcher
- Ground beef 600 g
Fruits and vegetables
- Onion 3
- Lettuce 1
- Tomatoes 2
Dairy
- Plain yogurt 250 g
Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Tree nuts
The step by step recipe
-
Rinse the bulgur, let it soften in cold water, then knead it with 400g of beef, one grated onion, the cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper. 20 min
Blend the mixture until smooth, like a restaurant style kibbeh.
-
Cook the remaining meat with two sliced onions, add the pine nuts, and season. 10 min
Let the filling cool completely before spreading it.
-
Spread half the dough in an oiled baking dish, add the filling, then cover with the remaining dough.
Smooth the top with wet hands.
-
Score diamond shapes with a knife, drizzle with a little oil, and bake at 200°C. 40 min
The diamond shapes make it easy to cut clean portions after baking.
-
Let it rest for 5 minutes and serve with the salad and yogurt. 5 min
A tomato and mint salad pairs very well with it.
Our tips to get it right
- Drain the bulgur thoroughly after soaking it, too much water keeps the dough from holding together in layers.
- Process the bulgur and meat mixture in small batches, you'll get a finer texture that's easier to spread.
- Check doneness by inserting a knife tip into the center, it should come out hot and dry.
The variations
- Swap the pine nuts for crushed walnuts for a more rustic flavor and a lower cost.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with finely chopped mushrooms and cooked red lentils.
- For a quicker version, shape small individual patties instead of one large dish, they bake in about 20 minutes.
What to serve it with
- Tomato and fresh mint salad
- Plain yogurt or labneh
- Warm pita bread
Storage
Baked kibbeh keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes very well, raw or cooked, in portions. Reheat it in the oven so the top stays crisp.
Questions about this dish
Can you make baked kibbeh ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish the day before and keep it raw in the fridge. Bake it right before serving for a nicely browned top.
Is fine bulgur really necessary?
Yes, fine bulgur gives a smooth, even dough. Medium or coarse bulgur makes the texture too rough to hold together properly.
Can you use lamb instead of beef?
Yes, ground lamb is actually the traditional choice in some families. The flavor will be stronger and slightly richer.
How do you keep the dough from sticking while shaping it?
Dip your hands in ice water before handling the dough. It glides and smooths out easily without sticking.
How long does it take to make a baked kibbeh with salad?
Count 1 h 30 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.
How many calories are in a baked kibbeh with salad?
About 610 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does a baked kibbeh with salad cost?
About €2.90 per serving, or €11.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains gluten, lactose, tree nuts. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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