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Syrian cuisine is known for its warmth, generosity, and delicate flavors—and few
dishes represent that heritage better than Syrian Kibbeh. This iconic Middle
Eastern meal, made from a mixture of bulgur wheat, minced meat, onions, and
spices, is served at family celebrations, Ramadan tables, weddings, and weekend
gatherings. It is rich, comforting, and deeply flavorful.
In this comprehensive guide, you will learn how to make Syrian Kibbeh in several
traditional ways, including:
Fried Kibbeh (Kibbeh Makliyyeh)
Baked Kibbeh in a Tray (Kibbeh bil-Saniyeh)
Kibbeh Dough Base
Stuffings and seasoning secrets
🥙 What Is Syrian Kibbeh?
Syrian Kibbeh is a traditional Levantine dish made by combining fine bulgur wheat,
ground meat, and aromatic spices into a smooth dough. It is typically stuffed with
a savory mixture of minced meat, onions, and toasted pine nuts. Depending on the
region, Kibbeh can be fried, baked, grilled, raw, or cooked in yogurt.
Today, we’ll focus on the most popular and widely loved versions.
🍽️ Ingredients for Traditional Syrian Kibbeh
🔸 Base Kibbeh Dough Ingredients
1 kg fine bulgur
1 kg finely ground red meat
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp black pepper
½ tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
Preparation Steps:
Soak the bulgur in water for 20 minutes.
Season the ground meat with spices and mix well.
Combine bulgur, meat, salt, and onion in a food processor until smooth.
Knead until a unified dough forms.
🔸 Filling for Fried Kibbeh
1 chopped onion
Vegetable oil
Ground meat
Salt, pepper, cinnamon (as desired)
How to Prepare:
Sauté the onion until golden, add meat, spices, mix until browned, and set aside.
🔥 How to Make Fried Syrian Kibbeh (Kibbeh Makliyyeh)
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves: 6 people
Fried Kibbeh is the most famous version, loved for its crispy exterior and juicy,
flavorful filling. This method provides perfect golden Kibbeh shells every time.
Ingredients
500 g lean meat
2½ cups fine bulgur
1 large onion
2 tsp salt
2 tsp marjoram
½ tsp black pepper
Ice cubes
Oil for frying
Filling Ingredients
2 large onions, chopped
¼ cup pine nuts
2 tbsp ghee
2 tbsp sumac
500 g ground meat
Spices: salt, pepper, meat seasoning
Steps to Prepare the Dough
Wash bulgur thoroughly and soak for 30 minutes.
Grind onion, meat, and bulgur together using a meat grinder.
Add salt, marjoram, and black pepper. Grind again to achieve a smooth texture.
Add ice cubes while grinding to preserve the dough’s elasticity.
Knead well, then cover with a damp cloth.
Preparing the Filling
Heat ghee, add meat, and cook until browned.
Add onions and sauté 2 minutes.
Add sumac, pine nuts, salt, and spices. Mix well.
Shaping the Kibbeh
Mix cold water with ice.
Dip your hands into the cold water and shape small balls of dough.
Create a hollow interior using your finger.
Fill with 1 teaspoon of stuffing.
Seal tightly and shape into an oval “torpedo” form.
Frying
Heat deep oil over medium heat.
Add Kibbeh pieces gradually—do not overcrowd the pan.
Fry until golden brown.
Remove and place on a paper towel.
🥘 How to Make Baked Kibbeh (Kibbeh bil-Saniyeh)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 people
This version is healthier and perfect for large gatherings. It’s layered like a pie and
baked until golden.
Ingredients for the Base
2 onions (quartered)
½ kg bulgur (soaked and drained)
½ kg lean minced meat
Salt
Sweet pepper
Ground black pepper
Nutmeg
Filling Ingredients
1 chopped onion
1 cup oil
1 cup pine nuts
500 g ground meat
Spices: salt, pepper, sweet pepper, nutmeg
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Prepare the Base
In a food processor, add a small amount of meat, onions, spices, and bulgur.
Blend until smooth. Cover with a clean cloth and set aside.
Prepare the Filling
Heat oil and sauté onions until golden.
Add garlic, then add meat and spices.
Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
Add pine nuts and mix well.
Assembling the Kibbeh Tray
Grease a baking pan with oil.
Divide the dough into two portions.
Flatten the first layer in the tray using wet hands.
Add the filling evenly.
Cover with the second layer of dough.
Score the top into diamond shapes.
Pour oil over the surface.
Cover with foil and bake at 220°C for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake 10 extra minutes until golden.
🍴 Kibbeh Dough (Universal Base for All Types)
This flexible dough can be used for fried Kibbeh, baked Kibbeh, grilled Kibbeh, or
even Kibbeh balls cooked in yogurt.
Ingredients
½ kg meat (lamb + veal), finely minced
1½ cups fine bulgur soaked for 2 hours
2 boiled potatoes
2 onions
Salt
Black pepper
Meat spices
Preparation
Drain bulgur thoroughly.
Combine bulgur, potatoes, onions, and meat.
Grind the mixture several times until smooth.
Add salt and spices.
Knead by hand to create a cohesive dough.
Shape into balls and cover with a damp towel.
🔑 Pro Tips for Perfect Syrian Kibbeh
These expert techniques improve your ranking and help readers succeed:
✔ Keep the oil temperature medium
Hot oil breaks the Kibbeh shell; lukewarm oil leads to soggy Kibbeh.
✔ Do not overcrowd the pan
Fry a few pieces at a time to maintain the oil temperature.
✔ Add ice during grinding
This maintains elasticity and prevents the meat from heating up.
✔ Always wet your hands while shaping
This prevents cracks and ensures smooth shells.
✔ Rest the dough before shaping
A 10-minute rest improves texture dramatically.
✔ Toast pine nuts before adding
This enhances flavor and adds crunch.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Syrian Kibbeh pairs beautifully with:
Cold yogurt
Tahini sauce
Tabbouleh
Fattoush
Pickles
Garlic dip
Lemon wedges
This makes it ideal for Ramadan, dinner parties, mezze platters, and festive meals.
📌 Why Syrian Kibbeh Is So Popular
Syrian Kibbeh ranks high in food searches due to:
Traditional heritage
High recipe engagement
Universal appeal
Strong RPM impressions in food, Middle Eastern cuisine, and cooking niches
High-value keywords like Syrian Kibbeh recipe, Middle Eastern food, authentic
Kibbeh, and how to make Kibbeh step-by-step
This recipe article is designed to perform strongly in Google Discover, Pinterest,
YouTube, and TikTok search algorithms as well.
Syrian Kibbeh is more than a recipe—it’s a symbol of hospitality, culture, and
culinary artistry. With its crispy fried shells, soft baked layers, aromatic spices, and
rich meat fillings, this dish captures the heart of anyone who tastes it.
