Prep time: 75 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 85 min
Ingredients: ½ cup fine bulgur; 1 cup ground beef; ½ medium onion, minced; ½ tsp cumin; ¼ tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp nutmeg; 1/8 tsp ground cloves (or less); ¼ tsp ginger; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp paprika; ½ tsp pepper; 1 cup ground beef; ½ medium onion, minced; ½ cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; 1/8 tsp cumin; 1/8 tsp ginger powder; 1/8 tsp nutmeg; 1/8 tsp cinnamon; 1/8 tsp ground cloves (or less); Canola or vegetable oil

Kibbeh (Arabic كبة ) is a Levantine dish made mostly of bulgur, ground meat, minced onions, mint and middle eastern spices. Kibbeh is also spelled kebbah, kubbah, kibe and has other spellings, depending on the region. Kibbeh is very fragrant and considered to be a national dish of many Middle Eastern countries. These stuffed balls (foot ball shaped) are usually served as a side dish or a meze. It can be served with a salad, Tzaziki sauce, Tahini dip and you name it. Kibbeh can be shaped as balls or patties and can be fried or baked. You can find this dish in Brazil, Colombia and may be found somewhere else.

Put the washed bulgur (1/2 cup) in a bowl with ½ cup hot water. Let it soak the water for 15 to 20 minutes.

Get your hand in the bowl to mix everything well and work the kibbeh dough until it is smooth. You may need to add 1 tablespoon water or more if the dough is not homogeneous.

Cover the kibbeh dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.

Saute the onion and mint in olive oil for 2 minutes.

Add the ground beef and the rest of the filling ingredients. Cook the meat while stirring constantly for about 5 minutes. Let cool.

Take out the kibbeh dough from the refrigerator and form balls. Make sure to dump your hands in a bowl of cold water during this process.

Take each ball in your hands and form kibbeh shells by making a hollow in the middle of each ball. Fill up the hollow with the meat filling or kibbeh stuffing (about 1 tbsp in each).

Pinch the top to seal the ball and form a foot ball shape with your hands. Cover the kibbeh formed and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before frying.

Deep fry the kibbeh in batches, in the hot oil until they are brown.

5 from 10 votes

Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes

Servings 12

Author LDS’s Mom

Ingredients

For the kibbeh dough

½ cup fine bulgur
1 cup ground beef
½ medium onion, minced
½ tsp cumin
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves (or less)
¼ tsp ginger
1 tsp salt
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp pepper

For the meat filling

1 cup ground beef
½ medium onion, minced
½ cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp ginger powder
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves (or less)

For frying

Canola or vegetable oil

Instructions

First of all, wash the bulgur with warm water.
Put the washed bulgur in a bowl with ½ cup hot water. Let it soak the water for 15 to 20 minutes.
Once the bulgur absorbed all the water, dump it in a large bowl and add the minced onion, the beef and the rest of the ingredients.
Get your hand in the bowl to mix everything well and work the kibbeh dough until it is smooth. You may need to add 1 tablespoon water or more if the dough is not homogenous.
Cover the kibbeh dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
Prepare the kibbeh filling by putting oil in a large pan, over medium heat.
Saute the onion for 2 minutes, then add the ground beef and the rest of the filling ingredients.
Cook the meat while stirring constantly for about 5 minutes. Let cool.
Take out the kibbeh dough from the refrigerator and form balls. Make sure to dump your hands in a bowl of cold water during this process.
Take each ball in your hands and form kibbeh shells by making a hollow in the middle of each ball. Always dump your hands in the bowl of cold water from time to time while forming the kibbeh.
Fill up the hollow with the meat filling or kibbeh stuffing (about 1 tbsp in each).
Pinch the top to seal the ball and form a foot ball shape with your hands.
Place the kibbeh formed (foot ball shaped) in a large plate.
Cover the plate with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
Pour the oil in a deep frying pan and heat over medium heat.
Deep fry the kibbeh in batches, in the hot oil until they are brown.
Drain the kibbeh on paper towel.
Serve with a salad, Tzaziki sauce, Tahini dip and you name it.

Recipe Notes

You can add roasted pine nuts to the kibbeh filling if you like.

13 Replies to “Kibbeh – Middle Eastern Beef and Bulgur Croquettes”

I am just loving all those flavors. We have a similar recipe in India. Not the ingredients but the flavors. I think it would taste great with chicken too. Will try this some time 🙂

I have never had anything like this but I bet they are amazing!

Yum — that meat filling is so delicious and flavorful. I could eat a whole plate full. Thanks for sharing!

Something I haven’t tried yet. This kibbeh looks so yum and definitely a great way to use some of my Middle Eastern spices. You got me very excited! 🙂

It was very interesting to find out about the difference in spelling based on the region. I’ve always wondered if it was the same dish. Looks so good!

Wow! These sound really good and look like a fun way to shake up party appetizers. I have a friend who would adore these and I am going to send her the recipe!

These look so delicious and I just happen to have all the ingredients on hand! They would be perfect to make on the weekends as a snack

I am pretty sure I tried these in Qatar, and I loved them. I’ll have to try out your recipe

I’ve been wanting to try middle eastern food so this is a great place to start. The spices in this recipe will make this dish shine.

I’ve never worked with bulgar before, but it sounds really hearty and filling. The flavors in these croquettes sound really delicious!

I don’t think I have ever tasted kibbeh but I love Middle Eastern food. These look and sound delicious. Definitely want to try this recipe asap!

these sounds delicious! i am a huge fan of middle eastern food. the flavors are so delicious!

Middle Eastern food is so delicious! And these beef and bulgur croquettes sound perfect for me. Especially with a fresh condiment like tzatziki and a salad.