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

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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!
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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!

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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.

How long does labneh keep in the fridge? ›

Store homemade labneh in the fridge in a tightly-closed container for up to 2 weeks. To better preserve your labneh, you can form it into balls that are about 1 tablespoon each in size. Place the balls in a large sterilized, airtight jar and pour extra virgin olive oil to cover.

Can you buy labneh in a supermarket? ›

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 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.

What is labneh called in English? ›

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

What yogurt is closest to 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.

Is labneh healthier than cream cheese? ›

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.

Why is labneh good for you? ›

It contains beneficial probiotic bacteria, calcium and vitamin A. Labneh cheese is also a good source of protein and other macronutrients. Labneh cheese is a popular dairy product whose rich flavor and light texture has been enjoyed for thousands of years.

Is labneh good for health? ›

Like kefir, labneh cheese is a fermented product high in probiotics, which is healthy bacteria. It helps in strengthening the microbiome and improving gut health. Optimum levels of probiotics can help develop an enhanced immune system, control cholesterol, improve digestion and even aid in cancer prevention.

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.

What is the difference between labne and labneh? ›

Labneh, also called Labne or yogurt cheese, is a classic Levantine breakfast. Despite its similarity to cream cheese in texture, labneh is not cheese. You get this thick, creamy dip by straining yogurt overnight to allow the whey to drain out. Labneh is tart and refreshing like yogurt!

What is the liquid from labneh? ›

The liquid that drains off the yogurt in the labneh process is whey. And it is a wonderful, nutritious by-product and ingredient. Don't throw it out. You can do all sorts of things with it.

What country is labneh from? ›

Light, refreshing, versatile and delicious, labneh is a type of soft cheese that has been part of traditional Lebanese cuisine for eons.

Can you make labneh without cheesecloth? ›

If using muslin or a thin dish towel, line the colander with one layer of cloth and proceed with filling with yogurt and tying, just as you would with cheesecloth.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of labneh? ›

If you don't have labneh, you can also sub in Greek. yogurt. This standout uses labneh, a Middle Eastern yogurt ... Jones, Martha is going Turkish.

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!

Is labneh a cheese or yogurt? ›

Labneh, also called Labne or yogurt cheese, is a classic Levantine breakfast. Despite its similarity to cream cheese in texture, labneh is not cheese. You get this thick, creamy dip by straining yogurt overnight to allow the whey to drain out. Labneh is tart and refreshing like yogurt!

Is labneh the same as sour cream? ›

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.

What's the difference between labneh and yogurt? ›

Labneh is a bit thicker than Greek yogurt - almost like soft cream cheese. In tradition, Greek yogurt is made from goats milk while labneh is made from cow's milk. It's tangier and creamier than yogurt, and it's meant to be eaten with savory ingredients.

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