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    Home / Jordanian Kitchen / Kibbeh Labaniyeh

    Kibbeh Labaniyeh

    Crisp bulgur-and-lamb dumplings simmered in a silky, garlicky yogurt sauce — a soothing Levantine classic that turns soup into a meal.

    ⏱ 45 minPrep time
    🔥 40 minCook time
    🍽 6Servings
    🏷 Jordanian KitchenCategory
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    Kibbeh Labaniyeh - bulgur lamb dumplings in garlicky yogurt sauce

    Kibbeh labaniyeh is the comforting Levantine soup that pairs golden bulgur-and-lamb dumplings with a silky yogurt broth. It is a specialty of Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, served at family dinners when something soothing and substantial is called for. The trickiest part is keeping the yogurt from curdling, but a little egg and cornstarch make the sauce stable and glossy.

    Golden dumplings in a silky yogurt river

    The dumplings stay crisp outside and tender within, floating in a sauce that is tangy, garlicky, and surprisingly light. Dried mint and a sizzle of garlic in butter bloom on top, adding warmth and fragrance to every spoonful. Serve it over rice or with fresh bread, and let the sauce soak in. A spoonful of rice at the bottom of the bowl makes it a complete meal. It is the kind of dinner that leaves everyone quietly satisfied, scraping the bowl for the last of the sauce.

    Craving more? Explore all Jordanian Kitchen recipes.

    This dish is built from Middle Eastern pantry staples — explore all 20 in our guide to 20 essential Middle Eastern pantry ingredients.

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    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Soak the bulgur in hot water 10 minutes, drain, and squeeze dry.
    2. Mix the bulgur, meat, onion, salt, allspice, and pepper; pulse in a food processor until smooth and pasty.
    3. With wet hands, shape the mixture into 1-inch balls. If sticky, dust your hands with the flour.
    4. Whisk the yogurt, egg, cornstarch, and water in a large pot until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, about 10 minutes.
    5. Drop the kibbeh balls into the yogurt sauce one at a time. Simmer gently, uncovered, until the dumplings float and are cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes, without stirring hard.
    6. In a small pan, melt the butter, add the garlic, and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the dried mint and pour the sizzling butter over the pot.
    7. Serve hot over rice or with bread.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Whisk the cornstarch into the yogurt before heating to prevent curdling, and keep the sauce at a gentle simmer. The garlic-mint topping is what makes it — do not skip it.

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    Recipe details

    Prep45 min
    Cook40 min
    Servings6
    CategoryJordanian Kitchen
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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