Lebanese Kibbeh Croquettes (Printable Version)

Crispy Lebanese croquettes of spiced meat and bulgur, baked or fried until golden and flavorful.

# What You Need:

→ Kibbeh Dough

01 - 1 cup fine bulgur wheat
02 - 1.1 lbs lean ground beef or lamb
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 tsp salt
05 - 1 tsp ground allspice
06 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
07 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
08 - 2 tbsp cold water, as needed

→ Filling

09 - 9 oz ground beef or lamb
10 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
11 - 1/2 cup pine nuts
12 - 1 tbsp olive oil
13 - 1/2 tsp ground allspice
14 - 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
15 - 1/2 tsp salt
16 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ For Frying or Baking

17 - 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
18 - Olive oil, for brushing if baking

# How To Make It:

01 - Rinse the bulgur in cold water, drain thoroughly, and let it sit for 10 minutes to soften.
02 - Combine softened bulgur, ground meat, chopped onion, salt, allspice, cinnamon, and black pepper in a large bowl. Knead, adding cold water as needed, until smooth and cohesive. Cover and refrigerate.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions until soft, about 3 minutes. Add ground meat and cook until browned, breaking up lumps. Stir in pine nuts, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until pine nuts turn golden. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
04 - Moisten hands and take a golf ball–sized portion of dough. Flatten into a thin oval shell, place 1 to 2 teaspoons of filling in the center, and pinch edges to seal. Shape into a torpedo form. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
05 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Fry kibbeh in batches for 4 to 5 minutes until deep golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
06 - Preheat oven to 390°F. Place kibbeh on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush with olive oil, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway, until crisp and golden.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Crispy golden exterior hiding a spiced meat filling that surprises you with every bite.
  • The bulgur dough gets soft and pillowy once you get the water ratio right, trust me on this.
  • You can make them ahead and freeze, which means impressive appetizers without last-minute stress.
02 -
  • If your dough feels dry and crumbly, add cold water one teaspoon at a time—too much water turns it into a sticky mess that's impossible to shape.
  • The filling must be completely cool before you fill the kibbeh, or the dough will get soft and tear when you're shaping; this lesson cost me a batch once.
  • Don't skip the resting time for the bulgur; it needs those 10 minutes to soften properly or the dough will feel grainy and fall apart.
03 -
  • Keep everything cold—cold dough, cold filling, cold hands—and your kibbeh will hold together perfectly while shaping.
  • Toast your own pine nuts instead of buying pre-toasted ones; the difference in flavor is worth five minutes of attention.
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