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Sliced baked kibbeh showing layers of bulgur shell and lamb filling

Baked Lebanese bulgur and lamb with spiced filling

Kibbeh

Kibbeh

1h 5mHard

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

35 min

Total Time

1 hr 5 min

Servings

8

1 baking dish (9x13)

Difficulty

Advanced

Cost

Premium

$$$

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Kibbeh

Baked Lebanese bulgur and lamb with spiced filling

A layered Lebanese casserole of spiced ground lamb and fine bulgur with a savory filling of lamb, onions, and pine nuts. Crispy on top, tender inside—the queen of Lebanese dishes.

30m

Prep Time

35m

Cook Time

65m

Total Time

8

Servings

Hard

Difficulty

Premium $$$

Cost

Mediterranean CuisineMain Course
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

April 30, 2023(Updated April 13, 2026)

Kibbeh is considered the national dish of Lebanon. This baked version layers a bulgur-lamb shell around a fragrant filling of sauteed lamb, pine nuts, and warm spices.

Why This Recipe Works

Processing the bulgur-lamb mixture until very smooth creates the characteristic dense, meaty shell. The contrast with the chunky, nutty filling makes every bite interesting.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup fine bulgur, soaked 30 minutes
  • 1 lb ground lamb (for shell) + 1/2 lb ground lamb (for filling)
  • 1 onion, grated (for shell) + 1 onion, diced (for filling)
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 1 tsp each: allspice, cinnamon, cumin
  • 3 tbsp butter, melted

Instructions

  1. 1

    Shell: process soaked bulgur, 1 lb lamb, grated onion, spices, and salt in a food processor until a smooth, paste-like dough forms.

  2. 2

    Filling: sauté diced onion in butter, add 1/2 lb lamb, cook until browned. Add spices and pine nuts.

  3. 3

    Press half the shell mixture into a buttered 9x13 pan. Spread filling evenly over the top.

  4. 4

    Carefully spread remaining shell mixture on top. Score into diamond shapes and pour melted butter over.

  5. 5

    Bake at 375°F for 30-35 minutes until golden and crispy on top. Rest 10 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

Substitutions

Ground lambGround beef

Less traditional but works for the filling and shell

Pine nutsToasted walnuts

More affordable with a similar crunch

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Wet your hands when pressing the shell mixture to prevent sticking.

  • Score before baking so the diamonds separate cleanly when serving.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes to re-crisp the top.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (75mg) · 8 servings

Calories340
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein24g
Carbohydrates18g
Fat20g
Fiber380mg
Sugar4g
Sodium1g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fine bulgur?
Bulgur #1, the finest grind, gives kibbeh its smooth texture. Don't use coarse bulgur.
Can I make kibbeh balls?
Yes, form the shell into ovals, fill with the meat mixture, seal, and deep-fry.

Explore More

More Mediterranean RecipesMore Main CourseStovetop RecipesOven Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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