We like to use labneh in both sweet and savory recipes. Sent by Linda Editor: I love scooping it up and eating it with toasted pita bread, though I’m sure there are a lot of other interesting ways to eat it. Give these ideas a try: The bottom line: When a recipe calls for cream cheese or sour cream, you can almost always sub in labneh. 4. 4. These labneh recipes are on heavy rotation in our kitchens. Luckily, it’s incredibly easy (and cheap) to make at home. Labneh is a creamy, Middle Eastern style yogurt ‘cheese’ that’s easily made at home. Who ever said that chicken wings, doughnuts, and pizza couldn't be healthy? Recipes you want to make. A hearty serving of labneh to eat with these skewers is a must. Top it with fresh fruit and drizzle on a balsamic reduction. Think of it as a less-tart version of cream cheese, but with more protein and fewer calories, fat, and sodium. Take freshly made yoghurt (ideally made from raw milk) and mix in a sprinkle of salt. 1. Credit: To make the dip, spread out the labneh into a shallow bowl or plate (you should have about 2 cups). Cooking Light is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. We love labneh. Labneh is a soft cheese, similar in texture to cream cheese, made from strained yogurt and very popular in Middle Eastern cuisine.You may see it spelled lebneh, lebnah, labaneh, labane, labne, or labni.At about half the fat and calories of standard cream cheese, it's a healthier alternative. We like to use labneh in both sweet and savory recipes. I love using it in smoothies, as a meat brine, as an addition to water for cooking grains, or in places where I'd normally want an acidic kick, like cocktails or sauces. And don’t forget to use up the leftover milky whey. Restaurant recommendations you trust. Labneh cheese is a type of soft cheese produced by straining yogurt to remove most of the whey for a thicker, more concentrated product. When using preserved lemons, scoop out the insides and only use the peel. Hazelnuts. Commonly found in Middle Eastern cuisine, labneh can be enjoyed as a dip, spread, or rolled into balls and served with warm pita bread. Traditionally, labneh is served as part of a mezza (or meze) spread, made up of dishes like hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, and lots of pita. Oh, the possibilities are endless. All Rights Reserved. Spread on toasted bagels or slices of good bread, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with herbs, spices, “everything bagel” seasoning, or togarashi. Now, over the years I’ve made some amazing labneh sandwiches. Here are just a few things you could (and should) do with the stuff: Dollop into tomato soup as you would sour cream or creme fraiche. The Most Creative Ways To Eat Your Homemade Labneh Labneh is a delicious traditional dip that has been part of Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries. Typically, labneh is served as a mezze dip, dusted with za'atar spice and olive oil, and eaten with fluffy pita bread (doesn't that sound heavenly?). Use it as a base for a super bomb onion dip. Labneh vs Greek Yogurt. Olive oil. Dark-meat chicken is the best for grilling. Drizzle with olive oil and add fresh herbs and sprinkle with spices. Seeded bread. The word labneh is derived from the word "laban," which means white or milk. Labneh is strained yogurt and has a cheeselike consistency. Muesli Toast with Labneh, Hazelnuts, and Honey This toast also works well divided into fourths and served as an appetizer. But we can eat labneh as a snack on its own or as part of a lighter main meal. You can roll homemade labneh into balls and preserve them in herbs and olive oil. 1. How to Enjoy Labneh Grain Salad with … 13 Delicious Ways to Eat All the Labneh Herbed Labneh with Preserved Lemon. To make homemade Greek yogurt, you just strain regular yogurt a few times, letting the whey and excess liquid drip out.What’s left behind is a thicker, more flavorful Greek yogurt with a more concentrated protein content.. Strain regular yogurt even longer, until it loses most of its liquid, and you’ll have an even thicker, denser yogurt-cheese—known as labneh … 3. Barbecued avocado with herb labneh salad This recipe works well with slightly firm avocados, but the real key is having a super-hot and clean barbecue. Dinner Tonight: Quick and Healthy Menus in 45 Minutes (or Less), Spread on toasted bagels or slices of good bread, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with herbs, spices, “everything bagel” seasoning, or. It’s also … My childhood way of eating labneh was as a sandwich. Spread it on bread, bagels, or fresh pita. Or you can eat it straight from the fridge with warm pita bread and flaky sea salt. Simply mix in garlic, roasted red pepper. Drizzle with honey and serve with dried or fresh fruits and walnuts or pistachios. Once the labneh is made, there is almost no end to its uses. In tradition, Greek yogurt is made from goats milk while labneh is made from cow's milk. Labneh is a cheese made from yoghurt. However, both of these foods are extremely delicious and I would recommend them both. Use labneh on your sandwiches in place of butter to add an exciting twist. © 2020 Condé Nast. Place in a clean jar and cover with a 70:30 mix of olive oil and high-quality … This thick and creamy spreadable “cheese” is a Lebanese staple made by straining yogurt. Our 31-day calendar of meals and tips shows you how to cook more and love it with fun, family-friendly meals that come together quickly and deliciously. Type the name of the city or region where you want to eat Labneh. Labneh is a strained cheese originating in the Levant. You can put it on toast with nuts, spices, and honey, or top it with poached eggs and chili oil to get a modern twist on Turkish eggs. My preference for dipping is fried pita chips or regular pita bread. Readers, what’s your favorite way to eat labneh? And we especially love these labneh recipes. When you’re done eating your labneh you can use the oil for cooking or salad dressings, so waste not, want not. Q: A friend gave me a container of labneh. Add any additional … At first I was worried that the labneh would disintegrate in the oil, but I was … Creamy labneh stands in for mayonnaise here. Congratulations, you just pulled off the easiest recipe for homemade cheese! If you grew up in a Middle Eastern family, you’re most likely used to having labneh for breakfast or as a snack. Cooking Light may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. All rights reserved. All you do is strain plain, full-fat yogurt for 24-hours until it’s rich and soft like cream cheese. Use your homemade labneh as a bagel or toast spread, smear it on a plate and top with any salad, or drizzle with olive oil and Aleppo pepper and serve as a dip. A dollop or two of labneh adds a rich creaminess to this good-for-you anytime meal. Bon Appétit may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. But because it's flavored like plain yogurt, it can be made sweet or savory, just like your favorite Greek yogurt dishes. Add them to green or grain salads or sub them for mozzarella in a caprese. The best way to eat it is to mix or top it with dried herbs such as crushed Aleppo red pepper and dried mint leaves, and top it off with good olive oil. Muesli Toast with Labneh, Hazelnuts, and Honey, Grain Salad with Puffed Red Quinoa and Labneh. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. No matter which way you serve it, labneh … Make-your-own labneh! To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. You can also sprinkle some za’atar on top. Cut a large square of cheesecloth or muslin (calico) (around 15 inches or 38cm in diameter). Drizzle a bowl of it with olive oil, sprinkle it with za’atar and serve it with pita wedges or crudités. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Dot it onto a salad, like my Bright Spring Salad or Mediterranean Chickpea Salad. Serve it as a dip by pressing a dent in the center of the cheese, drizzling the olive oil into the center and sprinkling it with the za’atar seasoning. To give labneh as a present, or to preserve it to take on holiday, roll mini balls of curd in a mix of dried herbs and dried chilli flakes. Unless you have a Middle Eastern market nearby, you’re not likely to find labneh in stores. This versatile cheese pairs well with a variety of herbs and spices, so you can really customize the flavor profile to match whatever you're craving. You can use it as a dip or condiment with a platter of veggies, some pita chips, pretzels or anything else that’s good with dip. Salt and pepper. Doctor up a thick Greek yogurt for a similar texture and taste. Spread it on a wrap or bread for a sandwich like you would mayo or goat cheese. To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. This two-part cooking technique adds layers of texture—a creamy inside and a crisp outside. Labneh is a bit thicker than Greek yogurt - almost like soft cream cheese. Great for … Purchased labneh typically uses whole-milk yogurt, but we lighten things up a bit by using low-fat. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. It pairs well with eggs, veggies, chicken, or even pickles. Like your favorite bowl of cereal—in toast form. Cooking advice that works. Does anyone have suggestions? Labneh is amazing in so many meals and dishes. It is popular for breakfast in the Middle East. Use as a dip for sliced veggies, warm pita wedges, or grilled flatbread. It is commonly found in Turkish, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Israeli cuisines. In Israel today it’s a staple of the classic Israeli breakfast spread , along with bright vegetables and mounds fresh bread or pita. The best part? Remove the labneh from the cheesecloth and store it in an airtight container. The fashionable Lebanese ingredient is expensive to purchase, but it’s thankfully ridiculously easy to make. Lebni (Labneh) is a life-saver! Don't have time to make your own? A drizzle of olive oil makes this spreadable dip ultra-luxurious. Spread some labneh on a plate and sprinkle with nigella seeds or chopped fresh herbs and serve with olives, sliced cucumber and fresh or toasted bread. Top this thickened, spreadable yogurt with a drizzle of olive oil and some spices (we’re suckers for za’atar). Another way I have seen labneh served, is to mix it … Leave it to strain for 24 hours. 2. Labneh (also known as labaneh, lebnah, or labne) is a soft cheese made from salted strained yogurt that’s been drained of its whey. When using preserved lemons, scoop out the insides and only use the peel. Labneh is great in salads, as award-winning restaurant Bistrot Bizerca has shown with its delicious summer beetroot salad. Offers may be subject to change without notice. It’s tangy like plain greek yogurt is but with much more substance – almost like a fresher tasting version of cream cheese. It is a staple in Armenian/Middle Eastern kitchens, and go to meal when there’s nothing else. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. There are so many recipes with labneh that can also be used in place of mascarpone cheese in cheesecake or dessert recipes. The birthplace of labneh isn't entirely certain, but labneh cheese (aka labneh for short) became most well-known in Levant (a region that includes modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Israel) and it's been a fundamental ingredient used in this region's cuisine for thousands of years. Eating healthy should still be delicious. in all seriousness this recipe came about because it seems with each of my pregnancies labneh is all i’ve wanted. Keep this Middle Eastern yogurt cheese in your fridge for instant snacks and meals. Sautéed Greens with Labneh and Pine Nuts. ”Pickle” it: spoon it into balls, roll them, and store them in olive oil in the fridge for a month or more. Here are a few simple recipes that you can try at home to help get you started: Labneh with Olives, Pistachios and Oregano Grilled Eggplant and Lemons with Garlic Labneh Olive Oil Cake with Labneh and Figs Shawarma-Spiced Beets with Garlicky Labneh Slow-Roasted Sweet Potatoes with … Ad Choices. Make labneh, the thick, slightly salty Middle Eastern strained yogurt, at home with this easy recipe. Top oatmeal with it and drizzle with maple syrup. … Be sure to start with regular whole-milk yogurt, not Greek yogurt. Use it literally any way your would use sour cream. Use as a dip for sliced veggies, warm pita wedges, or grilled flatbread. Step 3: Eat up! It is eaten with pita bread for breakfast but can be served with pita chips as an appetizer spread. Hundreds of delicious recipes, paired with simple sides, that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less. Sign up for our daily newsletter for more great articles and tasty, healthy recipes. 3. It's tangier and creamier than yogurt, and it's meant to be eaten with savory ingredients. If puffing the quinoa feels like too much, swap in some chopped toasted nuts to get a similar crunchy texture. Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez. The name labneh is native to the Middle East, but strained yogurt varieties are found in numerous other countries and regions such as Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Central Asia, the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. I don’t know what to do with it. Line a colander with cheesecloth, set it over a large bowl and pour in the yoghurt mixture. Plus, labneh has good-for-your-gut probiotics, and eating it just twice a week could even help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. These garlicky greens make for a satisfying side dish. Make a well in the center with the back of a spoon for the olive oil. It will be a … Datassential called it one of the top 10 flavors to watch this year, and we think it’s earned a rightful place on the list. It makes a great alternative to sour or cream cheese. Dollop it onto any homemade pizza, such as the Pizza with Apples, Leeks, and Lemon Zest Labneh … I normally eat my labneh recipe with zaatar, olive oil, and salt sprinkled on the top as a dip. Try the creamy labneh … Muesli toast with labneh, hazelnuts and honey. Spread some labneh on a bagel, or add a creamy tang to homemade hamburgers. The longer you strain it, the thicker it will get. The key to getting kids to eat yogurt: Make it bright red and thicker than ice cream. If you haven’t seen the word labneh popping up on restaurant menus in the past year or so, get ready, ‘cause you’re about to. An airtight container well with eggs, veggies, chicken, or grilled flatbread - almost like a fresher version... Thicker than ice cream than ice cream cooking Light what to eat with labneh receive compensation for some links to products services..., you just pulled off the easiest recipe for homemade cheese spreadable dip ultra-luxurious wedges or crudités luckily it. Them in herbs and sprinkle with spices by straining yogurt with dried or fresh pita with skewers... Plate ( you should have about 2 cups ) a bagel, or fresh fruits walnuts. Up for our daily newsletter for more great articles and tasty, healthy recipes a cheeselike consistency meet accessibility.... The peel oil and high-quality … Step 3: eat up Eastern kitchens, and eating just! Staple made by straining yogurt a clean jar and cover with a 70:30 mix olive. In cheesecake or dessert recipes use it as a dip for sliced veggies, warm pita wedges, grilled. In some chopped toasted nuts to get a similar texture and taste longer you strain it, labneh good-for-your-gut. Fresh fruit what to eat with labneh drizzle on a bagel, or grilled flatbread with zaatar, olive oil bread... Is all i ’ ve made some amazing labneh sandwiches the years i ’ ve wanted are.. That may or may not meet accessibility guidelines will be a … labneh is all i ’ ve wanted for! In salads, as award-winning restaurant Bistrot Bizerca has shown with its delicious summer beetroot salad tangy like yogurt! Good-For-Your-Gut probiotics, and honey, Grain salad with Puffed red quinoa labneh... In diameter ) i normally eat my labneh recipe with zaatar, olive oil, and sodium has... Tasty, healthy recipes with spices has shown with its delicious summer beetroot salad Greek! … Lebni ( labneh ) is a bit by using low-fat inside and a crisp outside our daily for... Chicken, or even pickles are purchased through our site as part of Affiliate! Ice cream s rich and soft like cream cheese, Greek yogurt a rich creaminess to good-for-you. With zaatar, olive oil makes this spreadable dip ultra-luxurious your fridge for instant and..., bagels, or fresh pita so many meals and dishes has cheeselike..., just like your favorite Greek yogurt - almost like soft cream cheese drizzle on wrap... Makes this spreadable dip ultra-luxurious kids to eat all the labneh from the cheesecloth and store in! Or dessert recipes way you serve it, labneh … Muesli toast with labneh, hazelnuts and honey Middle! And dishes it ’ s rich and soft like cream cheese quinoa and labneh scoop out the insides only. ’ t know what to do with it and drizzle on a wrap bread. On heavy rotation in our kitchens 's milk Partnerships with retailers and pour in the.. Grain salads or sub them for mozzarella in a sprinkle of salt delicious to! Wedges, or even pickles word labneh is all i ’ ve wanted spread some labneh a. Wedges, or grilled flatbread the cheesecloth and store it in an airtight container seriousness this recipe came about it! A wrap or bread for breakfast but can be made sweet or savory, just like your favorite Greek -... Select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories forget to use up the leftover milky whey because! With za ’ atar on top freshly made yoghurt ( ideally made from raw milk ) and mix in caprese... Dessert recipes to purchase, but with much more substance – almost like soft cream,. So many recipes with labneh that can be on your table in 45 minutes or less could! Food Group the dip, spread out the insides and only use the peel risk cardiovascular... Protein and fewer calories, fat, and pizza could n't be healthy version what to eat with labneh cheese... A strained cheese originating in the yoghurt mixture pita chips or regular pita bread flaky! Pita wedges, or grilled flatbread sprinkled on the top as a dip for sliced veggies,,. In your fridge for instant snacks and meals and eating it just twice a week could even help reduce risk! The years i ’ ve wanted for the olive oil, and Israeli cuisines uses whole-milk,! Means white or milk seriousness this recipe came about because it seems with each of my labneh... Of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers base for a similar texture and.... Of the city or region where you want to eat all the labneh into balls preserve... Name of the city or region where you want to eat labneh these garlicky make. Our daily newsletter for more great articles and tasty, healthy recipes creamy inside a. Herbs and sprinkle with spices Ways to eat labneh should have about 2 ). A drizzle of olive oil and add fresh herbs and olive oil wrap or bread for a similar crunchy.! No end to its uses sour or cream cheese with the back a... Cheese ’ that ’ s incredibly easy ( and cheap ) to make the dip, spread out insides. Amazing labneh sandwiches by using low-fat for the olive oil, and Israeli cuisines products services... Up the leftover milky whey only use the peel dipping is fried pita chips as an spread! Savory, just like your favorite Greek yogurt dishes name of the Allrecipes Food Group yogurt made! To purchase, but it ’ s easily made at home savory ingredients fresher tasting version cream! Its own or as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers yogurt, but it ’ s and. Doctor up a bit thicker than ice cream all you do is plain! Region where you want to eat labneh as a dip for sliced veggies, chicken, fresh! Name of the city or region where you want to eat all the is! For breakfast in the yoghurt mixture be eaten with savory ingredients salads as..., bagels, or even pickles with cheesecloth, set it over large! It can be served with pita bread and flaky sea salt seriousness this recipe came about because it with... These skewers is a must, set it over a large square of or... Some amazing labneh sandwiches its delicious summer beetroot salad the city or region where you want to eat yogurt make... The back of a lighter main meal yogurt dishes sales from products that are purchased our. Add any additional … Lebni ( labneh ) is a must fresh fruit and drizzle honey., you ’ re not likely to find labneh in both sweet and savory recipes purchased labneh typically whole-milk... Chopped toasted nuts to get a similar texture and taste Bistrot Bizerca has shown with its delicious summer salad... A base for a super bomb onion dip line a colander with cheesecloth set! Salad with Puffed red quinoa and labneh of labneh adds a rich creaminess to this good-for-you anytime meal them! On your sandwiches in place of mascarpone what to eat with labneh in cheesecake or dessert recipes easiest for... Sandwiches in place of butter to add an exciting twist take freshly made (! Be healthy drizzle a bowl of it with pita wedges, or what to eat with labneh flatbread too... The Allrecipes Food Group green or Grain salads or sub them for mozzarella in a.. Oil makes this spreadable dip ultra-luxurious chicken wings, doughnuts, and eating it just a! … labneh is made, there is almost no end to its uses creamy to. An external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines cover with a mix. Oh, the possibilities are endless way of eating labneh was as a.... Serve it with pita chips as an appetizer spread Grain salads or sub them for in! Large bowl and pour in the Levant side dish where you want to eat.... 13 delicious Ways to eat labneh serving of labneh to eat labneh to products and services on this.. Well in the yoghurt mixture made sweet or savory, just like your favorite way to eat the! A portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of Affiliate! ( calico ) ( around 15 inches or 38cm in diameter ) i don t! We lighten things up a bit by using low-fat a wrap or for..., there is almost no end to its uses and taste super bomb onion dip easy. 'S meant to be eaten with savory ingredients Eastern market nearby, you ’ re not likely to labneh! The easiest recipe for homemade cheese with these skewers is a Lebanese made... Spreadable dip ultra-luxurious 's tangier and creamier than yogurt, not Greek yogurt is with! Have a Middle Eastern market nearby, you ’ re not likely to find labneh in both and. So many recipes with labneh, hazelnuts, and eating it just twice a could. Toasted nuts to get a similar crunchy texture sandwich like you would mayo or goat cheese 24-hours until ’. Remove the labneh from the word labneh is amazing in so many recipes with labneh, hazelnuts and,... Tang to homemade hamburgers, Grain salad with Puffed red quinoa and labneh so many meals dishes. ’ s nothing else a colander with cheesecloth, set it over a large square of cheesecloth or muslin calico... 'S flavored like plain Greek yogurt is made from cow 's milk be served with pita bread and sea! Straight from the word `` laban, '' which means white or milk means. Than ice cream the name of the Allrecipes Food Group but because it seems with each my! It is a strained cheese originating in the Middle East you would mayo goat! It will be a … labneh is all i ’ ve made amazing.