Print

Fried Kibbeh (Kibbeh Maklieh)

Print Recipe

Crispy deep-fried Middle Eastern kibbeh made with a shell of spiced bulgur and minced meat, filled with savory sautéed beef, onions, pine nuts, and warm spices. Perfect as an appetizer, meze, or main course.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Shell:
  • 1 cup fine bulgur wheat
  • 250g lean ground beef or lamb
  • 1 small onion, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Ice water, as needed
  • For the Filling:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 250g ground beef or lamb
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped parsley (optional)
  • For Frying:
  • Vegetable oil, for deep frying

Instructions

  1. Rinse bulgur and soak in warm water for 15 minutes. Drain and squeeze out excess water.
  2. In a large bowl, combine bulgur, grated onion, ground meat, spices, salt, and pepper. Knead until mixture becomes dough-like. Chill while you prepare the filling.
  3. For the filling: Heat olive oil in a pan, sauté onions until soft. Add ground meat, spices, and cook until browned. Stir in pine nuts and parsley. Let cool.
  4. Divide shell mixture into small balls. Hollow each ball with your finger to form a shell. Fill with 1–2 teaspoons of meat mixture, then seal and shape into ovals with pointed ends.
  5. Heat oil in a deep pan over medium-high. Fry kibbeh in batches until deep golden brown and crisp, about 4–5 minutes per side.
  6. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with yogurt dip or lemon wedges.

Notes

  • Keep your hands wet while shaping the shells to prevent sticking.
  • Use very fine bulgur for a smoother texture in the shell.
  • Uncooked kibbeh can be frozen and fried directly from frozen.
  • Serve with plain yogurt, cucumber-yogurt sauce, or tahini dip.

Nutrition

Keywords: kibbeh maklieh, fried kibbeh, Lebanese kibbeh, bulgur meat balls, Middle Eastern appetizers

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/fried-kibbeh-kibbeh-maklieh/