Easy Labneh Dip Recipe - Fufu's Kitchen (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This easy labneh dip recipe has got to be hands down one of my favorite mezze’s that is so underrated but unbelievably delicious. The labneh, which is a strained thick yogurt resembling soft cheese, is flavored with fresh garlic, dill, walnuts, and more. The combination is spectacular and quite addicting. There is brightness from the dill, crunch from the walnuts, acidity from the lemon, zing from the garlic, and a subtle heat from the Aleppo pepper. It tastes even better as it sits in the fridge. This is a must-try.

Easy Labneh Dip Recipe - Fufu's Kitchen (1)

What is Labneh?

Labneh is a commonly used ingredient in a Middle Eastern households. You will always find a jar of homemade or store-bought labneh in my fridge. If you want a labneh recipe, check out my cookbook, Dine in Palestine. It is basically a strained yogurt that resembles a soft, spreadable cheese. It has a mild yet tangy flavor. It’s commonly enjoyed for breakfast and/or used to add creaminess to dishes like my egg salad. I personally love labneh dip with za’atar!

How to make this Labneh dip?

  • Prep all the components going into the dip, like chopping the dill, walnuts, crushing the garlic, and so on.
  • You can either purchase labneh from your local Arab convenience store, or you can make your own by straining yogurt with a cheesecloth to remove excess liquid. I have a technique and recipe for this in my cookbook.
  • Whip the yogurt with a spoon for a few seconds to achieve a creamy consistency, then add all the components.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving so the flavors are more prominent.
  • Serve in your favorite dish alongside some pita chips, fresh pita, veggies, or crackers. Enjoy!
Easy Labneh Dip Recipe - Fufu's Kitchen (2)

Be sure to check out my Easy Labeh Dip video below! For the best viewing experience, watch the video in full-screen mode!

How to serve this Easy Labneh Dip recipe:

This is one of those dips that will impress your guests, and little do they know it just took 10-15 min of your time. Not only does it look enticing, but the flavor also backs it up. There are a few ways that this dip can be enjoyed other than by the spoon, which I won’t judge you for; it is that good. Check out the different ways below that would best accompany this labneh recipe:

  • This is the perfect herby, garlicky labneh dip for chips. You can’t go wrong serving this with store-bought pita chips, which are super easy to make at home. You can find how to make crisp pita in the oven in my eggplant fatteh recipe.
  • Of course, a fresh pita to dip is perfect as well. This is the go-to vehicle for dipping in the Middle East-there is always a pita in hand. A crust bread would also go great.
  • This labneh dip is also fabulous with an assortment of cut veggies like cucumber slices or mini preppers.
  • You can also smear it on a sandwich; I imagine it going great with smoked salmon!
Easy Labneh Dip Recipe - Fufu's Kitchen (3)
Can I use this Dip on a Mezze platter?

Absolutely. In fact, I served this on a tray with hummus, baba ghanoush, pita, sliced cucumbers, and veggies. It was a healthy and filling treat; you couldn’t get enough of it. The only thing missing was my other favorite dip, muhammara, which I have a great recipe for!

Please Leave a Review & Rating

I cannot wait for you to try this easy labneh dip recipe! If you try my recipes, please consider leaving a star rating and/ or review in the comment section below. I love hearing from you. Feel free to leave any questions or comments below as well. You can share your remakes with me on myInstagram!

Easy Labneh Dip Recipe - Fufu's Kitchen (4)

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Easy Labneh Dip Recipe

This easy labneh dip recipe has got to be hands down one of my favorite mezze's that is so underrated but unbelievably delicious. The labneh, which is a strained thick yogurt resembling soft cheese, is flavored with fresh garlic, dill, walnuts, and more.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, dip, mezze, Side Dish

Cuisine: Arab, Arabic, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Keyword: best labneh dip, easy labneh dip recipe, garlic labneh dip, labneh, labneh dip, labneh dip with dill, labneh with walnuts

Servings: 4 people

Author: Heifa

Ingredients

  • 8 oz Labneh
  • 1/3 cup Finely chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup Finely chopped dill
  • 3 Garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tsp Aleppo pepper you can omit or sub for 1/2 tsp red chili flakes.
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt

Garnish

  • 1 tbsp Finely chopped dill
  • 1 tbsp Finely chopped walnuts
  • Drizzle of Olive oil
  • Sprinkle of Aleppo Pepper

Instructions

  • In a bowl, add the labneh and whip it for a few seconds until it becomes more smooth and creamy.

  • To this, add the chopped walnuts, chopped dill, crushed garlic, aleppo pepper, lemon juice, and salt.

  • Mix all the components together well. Add to the desired serving dish which I recommend to not be flat and have curvature to its sides so it is easier to dip.

  • Garnish with more dill, chopped walnuts, sprinkle of aleppo pepper, and a good helping of olive oil over the top.

  • Enjoy with fresh pita, pita chips, or crackers. The longer this dip sits in the firdge-the more flavor it develops so I recommend refirgerating it for an hour before tasting to see if more acid, salt, or heat is needed. Enjoy!

Notes

This dip stays well for up to 5 days covered in the fridge or an airtight container.

Easy Labneh Dip Recipe - Fufu's Kitchen (5)
Easy Labneh Dip Recipe - Fufu's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is labneh dip made of? ›

Labneh is what you get when you strain an already-strained yogurt to remove more of the liquid whey. Greek yogurt is strained yogurt, but labneh is doubly strained. What is Labneh made of? Labneh is a soft, flavorful Middle Eastern cheese made from strained yogurt and is so easy to make yourself.

What is the best substitute for labneh? ›

Substitutes. You can use yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, or mascarpone in place of labneh for many uses, but the flavor and texture won't be quite the same. Once you familiarize yourself with the flavor and versatility of labneh, you're more likely going to want to swap it for the others whenever you get the chance.

Is labneh healthy? ›

In addition to its delicious taste, labneh is considered a healthy food. It is a good source of protein, calcium, and probiotics, which benefit gut health. Labneh is also lower in fat and sodium compared to cheese or packaged dips, and it adds a lot of calcium to the diet.

Can I replace yogurt with labneh? ›

Because they are so similar, it's sometimes possible to swap Greek yogurt for labneh and vice versa in applications. Greek yogurt and labneh have tangy flavor profiles, so if you're looking to add a dollop to something like this creamy carrot soup with lemon and dill or this easy lobster bisque, both will work nicely.

What is labneh called in English? ›

Strained yogurt is known as labneh (labna, labni, labne, lebni, or labani; Arabic: لبنة) in the Levant, Egypt, and the Arabian Peninsula.

Is Greek yogurt and labneh the same? ›

Labneh is what you get when you strain an already strained yogurt, removing much more liquid whey than you would to make Greek yogurt. So while Greek yogurt is strained yogurt, labneh is doubly strained yogurt!

Can you buy labneh at grocery store? ›

Many grocery stores now carry labneh in the dairy section, but it's simple to make at home. You only need whole-milk yogurt (cow's milk is more traditional, but goat's milk is another option) and a little salt. No need to use Greek yogurt here; plain, unsweetened whole-milk yogurt will do the trick.

What is another name for labneh? ›

Labneh (also known as labneh, labni, lebni or zabedi) is the name of a popular thick yoghurt in the Middle East. It has been consumed in the levant region of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine for thousands of years. You can find labneh both in a dried form or steeped and marinated in olive oil.

Is sour cream the same as labneh? ›

Is labneh similar to sour cream? Labneh is thicker and less tangy than sour cream. Because of the acidity in labneh, it can possibly be used in place of sour cream in baking recipes.

Can I eat labneh every day? ›

Our labneh is safe to consume everyday. Although, I wouldn't recommend it. To ensure you are getting a variety of nutrients and minerals from your food, it is beneficial to practice food rotation. Food rotation advocates eating different foods daily.

Can diabetics eat labneh? ›

Incorporating a few servings of high-protein foods like labneh is a simple and effective way to maintain normal blood sugar levels and prevent adverse side effects. In particular, protein has been shown to help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes while also supporting better overall glycemic control.

Is labneh good for high blood pressure? ›

For starters, labneh can be high in sodium, with a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving squeezing in nearly 23% of the RDI ( 1 ). Studies show that cutting back on sodium is one of the most effective ways to reduce blood pressure levels, especially if you have elevated levels ( 21 , 22 ).

What to eat with labneh? ›

A Middle Eastern staple, labaneh is a savory dairy product that's typically served at breakfast and enjoyed with pita bread; it's sometimes rolled into balls, marinated in oil and herbs, and served as a snack.

What is the closest yogurt to labneh? ›

Answer to earlier posts: labneh is similar to Greek yogurt, but is thicker and includes the salt. The consistency should be somewhere between Greek yogurt and cream cheese.

How long does labneh last after opening? ›

HOW LONG DOES LABNEH LAST? Once you open your Yaza labneh, we recommend eating it within 5-7 days. Keep it refrigerated as often as possible to maintain freshness. If you see the whey liquid separating from the solid labneh, don't worry; it's totally normal for a natural product.

Is labneh healthier than cream cheese? ›

Regular cream cheese (per 2 tablespoons) has 80 calories, 7 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbohydrates. Compare it with regular labneh, which has 60 calories, 6 grams of fat and 1 gram of carbohydrates. Doesn't sound like much of a nutritional difference? It adds up if you use it in cooking!

What are the components of labneh? ›

The pH (4.0-5.0), titratable acidity(2.7%), chemical composition (74.57% moisture, 8.3% protein, 9.8%fat, 6.37%lactose and1. 17% ash) of labneh, produced by blending concentrated skim milk yogurt with cream, (Yamani & Abu-Jaber, 1994; El-Samragy et al., 1988; Tamime & Robinson, 1988).

What animal is labneh made from? ›

Labneh (or lebneh) is an ultra-thick, high-protein yogurt cheese popular in the Middle East. Traditionally, the cheese is made with camel or goat milk, but stateside, you'll find it made almost exclusively from cows' milk.

What is the taste of labneh? ›

It has a thick, spreadable texture similar to soft goat cheese or cream cheese, and thanks to its yogurt base, its flavor is rich and tangy. Throughout the Middle East, it's a common addition to mezze platters, where it's served as a dip with olive oil and spices, but the uses for it don't end there.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated:

Views: 5851

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.