Homemade Labneh Recipe - Make Labneh at Home
Recipe for Best Homemade Labneh. It is also called labna, labni, lebni, or labani
Homemade Labneh Recipe is very simple to make, however, it does consume some bits of one’s time. Having said that it is totally worth the effort. If you’ve never had labneh before, then you’re in for a real treat. This best homemade labneh recipe makes a thick, creamy spread.
Simply stating, labneh is strained yogurt where the whey has been removed.
With labneh You can go savoury with spices & vegetables to dress it up. Or do the opposite and reach for honey, jam or fruit to make things sweeter.
Homemade labneh recipe – labneh ready & plated with pimento & za’atar.
Homemade Labneh Recipe
Throughout the Middle East, Labneh is a common addition to mezze platters, where it’s served as a dip with olive oil and spices, but the uses for it don’t end there. You can dot it onto salads, dollop it onto pizza, slather it onto sandwiches, and more!
You can also roll this very thick strained yoghurt into little balls each the size of a walnut, to serve either steeped in olive oil and garlic to smear on flatbreads, or drenched in icing sugar to serve with soft fruit as a pudding.
What is Labneh?
Some call it yoghurt cheese, others call it Lebanese cream cheese
Labneh is a Middle Eastern (Origins seem to be Lebanese) dish made from curds or yoghurt (Laban) strained off the liquid whey until it is the consistency of cream cheese.
That is why, some call it yoghurt cheese, others call it Lebanese cream cheese but it is most commonly known as Labneh.
It is a staple on any breakfast menu in the Middle East and is one of my favourite dips to dip the snacks in and hence a regular at parties at home.
Labneh also forms an integral part of Meze or Mezze as does Hummus bi Tahina.
In India, we are all Master Chefs when we make homemade curd or yoghurt even though at times we pick up cups of ready-made yoghurt from the hypermarkets. We are experts nevertheless. To make Labneh is taking humble curds to yet another level.
Well!! After all this Homemade Labneh Recipe requires cheese to be made out of curd by draining out the whey and adding salt and lemon juice (optional) to it.
So if you like cream cheese, Labneh will take you to another level since it is similar in consistency yet better than cream cheese. Compared to cream cheese Labneh is much healthier and lighter in calories.
To make Labneh the best choice is to use homemade curds, however, you can make it using regular yoghurt or fat-free yoghurt as well. Regular homemade labneh recipe makes Labneh that (hung from anywhere from 6 – 12 hours) lasts for 2-3 weeks when refrigerated.
What are different types of labneh?
Make labneh korat at home?
Strain homemade curds for 24 hours, roll it into balls and you will get a Labneh that is called “Labneh Makbouseh” or “Labneh Korat” and means “Labneh balls” which can be stored for almost a year when submerged in olive oil and refrigerated.
So, while Labneh as a dip is consumed fresh, you can say Labneh Makbouseh is pickled to last a bit longer, if it would (hehehe … ) since I have never been able to save even a small bowl till date.
For flavouring and garnishing Labneh further, you will need olive oil and herbs like oregano, mint, parsley, za’atar mix, sumac, pepper, chilli flakes. You can even dunk cucumbers, olives and/or celery sticks and munch on them. Pretty much use whatever you wish too.
Eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or as a snack. I usually add minced garlic to my Labneh dip but not while making Labneh Makbouseh.
Homemade Labneh is very simple to make, however, it does consume some bits of one’s time. Having said that it is totally worth the effort. If you’ve never had labneh before, then you’re in for a real treat.
Here is my homemade labneh recipe. Enjoy :)
Labneh Recipe Card - Homemade Labneh Recipe
How to make labneh at home?
Labneh - Homemade Labneh Recipe
Ingredients
To Make Labneh
- 4 Cups of Full fat Yoghurt or Dahi
- ¾ teaspoon Rock Salt
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
To Garnish & Serve
- Za'atar spice garlic and chilli flakes
- Warm pita bread
- Turshi made with sliced vegetables
Instructions
- Place the colander on a wide bowl and line it with a muslin cloth.
- Pour the whole tub of yoghurt into the cloth and add the rock salt. Mix around and tie the ends into a knot
- Leave out between 12-18 hours, wiggling the muslin cloth around every few hours and emptying the bowl of water if necessary.
- Leave in the fridge overnight and untie the cloth when the labneh is ready, transfer to a plate and drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil
- Garnish it with extra virgin olive oil, red chilli flakes and za'atar spice.
Notes
- Store labneh in a tight-lid container in the fridge and use it as a spread like any cream cheese. This way Labneh will last up to 2 weeks if it is not over before.
- Spread labneh in a bowl and to serve top with extra virgin olive oil, za'atar spice (or chopped fresh herbs like mint or parsley). Add warm pita and turshi for dipping.
Step by Step Process of Homemade Labneh Recipe
How to make labneh at home? It's indeed that simple
Adaptations & Suggestions for Homemade Labneh
Possibilities with Best Homemade Labneh
While the recipe listed here is as close it can get to authentic, you should try out to adapt it to your tastes. I am positive that you will be really happy with the results.
- If you run short of labneh, here is a trick. Add some sour cream to it. To make sour cream at home, follow this recipe.
- Za’atar spice is easily available in premium stores in India now, though it is definitely costly. The one I picked up is Rs.225 for a mere 38 grams. You can easily replace this with oregano, parsley, thyme, chives or even a mixture of all these. By all means, use that saved pizza seasoning of yours.
- I used za’atar spice and pimento. If you do not have these handy, use herbs like oregano, mint, parsley, pepper, chilli flakes, leftover Italian seasoning that you saved after gobbling down that pizza.
- Play around with lemon, garlic and olive oil to suit your taste.
- Serve Labneh with pita bread or chips to get the Lebanese feel at home.
- Use it for your sandwiches instead of butter for that healthy touch.
- It can be eaten with olives, fresh mint, and raw vegetables like sliced cucumbers and tomatoes.
- If making it for kids, add some bits of honey or even jam to it. I can assure you, they will love every bit of it. With this homemade labneh recipe, possibilities are endless.
FINALLY, TO SUM IT UP
Recipe roundup for homemade labneh recipe
Homemade labneh recipe
Homemade Labneh Recipe is very simple to make, however, it does consume some bits of one’s time. Having said that it is totally worth the effort. If you’ve never had homemade labneh before, then you’re in for a real treat.
This best homemade labneh recipe makes a thick, creamy spread.
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I am always happy to read your feedback and if you liked the dish or if you made the dish. :)
Better still, take a picture and post it on Instagram and tag it as #gosumitup
Connect direct – You can also connect with me directly on my Instagram and Facebook or on Pinterest.
And, keep visiting us for more of such awesomeness. Do bookmark gosumitup.com into your web browser now or simply subscribe to our browser notifications.
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2 comments
You know if you are not on Instagram, you should be. I know you can’t put text up, but just throw in a few pics and build an audience there. I think you’d find a ton of people who would be super interested in your blog here.
Hi Brian, Thanks for your suggestion. We are already on Insta. Do follow us through the link at the bottom. Thanks again