15 Traditional Plant-Based Lebanese Recipes

Here we have curated veganized versions of just some of the most well-known dishes of Lebanese Cuisine. Most Lebanese recipes are centered around simple ingredients and a variety of spices to add flavorful dimension. Featuring everything from savory falafel and shawarma, to sweet baklava, there is something delicious for everyone to enjoy.

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help you get healthy! 

1. Healthy Falafel

Source: Healthy Falafel

This Healthy Falafel recipe by Katia Martin is packed full of nutrition and is super yummy. Top it with the tahini sauce, and you’re in falafel heaven! These ones are deep-fried, but they taste just as amazing when you bake them!

2. Roasted Garlic Hummus

Source: Roasted Garlic Hummus

This hummus with roasted garlic recipe by Robin Browne has all the creamy and hearty feels you want in a bowl of hummus. It makes a huge portion so it should for sure last the week for you. Get swept up in the roasted garlic flavor as it is pure deliciousness when combined with the chickpeas.

3. Blanched Chard Dolmas

Source: Blanched Chard Dolmas

This blanched chard recipe by Molly Patrick is such a simple yet filling meal to put together. You can meal prep it or just make it the night of – either way, equally yummy!

4. Meaty Mushroom Shawarma With Tzatziki

Source: Meaty Mushroom Shawarma With Tzatziki

It’s time for a healthy and Vegan Mushroom Shawarma/Gyros makeover! Kirsten Kaminski paired it with delicious vegan tzatziki and it came out so good and will be your new favorite dish!

5. Mjadra: Traditional Lebanese Lentils and Rice

Source: Mjadra: Traditional Lebanese Lentils and Rice

This simple yet very nutritious mjadra recipe by Nathalie Sader is a staple of Lebanese cuisine; did you know that on Fridays, almost every in every Lebanese house, there is some mjadra cooking in the kitchen!

6. Homemade Roasted Garlic Baba Ganoush

Source: Homemade Roasted Garlic Baba Ganoush

Homemade Roasted Garlic Baba Ganoush – Turn your summer eggplant into something extra magical with this recipe by Rachel Hanawalt for creamy, garlicky, and downright DELICIOUS homemade baba ganoush!

7. Baklava Custard Tart

Source: Baklava Custard Tart

This baklava custard tart by Incredible Plant-Based Desserts, Anthea Cheng can easily become your favorite recipe Just like conventional baklava, this tart has loads of nuts, crispy ­filo pastry, and multiple layers. This is taken to the next level, as well. Instead of thickening the custard with eggs, this recipe cornstarch which is much easier to use! The subtle vanilla and sweetness from the custard perfectly complement a punchy and flavorsome baklava ­filling.

8. Kibbeh: Lebanese Meatloaf

Source: Kibbeh: Lebanese Meatloaf

Kibbeh is a traditional Lebanese dish made of bulgur wheat (cracked wheat), minced onions, pine nuts, finely ground lean beef or lamb, and Middle-Eastern spices. It is often described as “Lebanese meatloaf”. In this meat-free version, sautéed mushrooms, chickpeas, and chopped nuts take the place of meat. This savory recipe by Julie Zimmer serves a big crowd, making it the perfect addition to cookouts.

9. Malai Kofta: Potato Dumplings in Spiced Tomato Sauce

Source: Malai Kofta: Potato Dumplings in Spiced Tomato Sauce

Traditionally, Malai Kofta is comprised of fried potato, veggie, and cheese meatball dumplings floating in a spiced tomato sauce. Served with rice or flat bread, it really is a treat. This recipe by Renee Press is modified to be vegan and gluten-free. The dumplings are instead made with chickpea flour, potatoes, and an array of delicious spices. This veganized version is still creamy, rich, and full of all the fragrant flavors. Vegan Malai Kofta will be a new dinnertime favorite!

10. Potato Kofta in Butter Sauce

Source: Potato Kofta in Butter Sauce

Soft, crispy potato kofta are served in a creamy sauce inspired by the Indian dish, butter chicken. The spiced sauce is completely dairy-free and gets its rich, creamy texture from coconut milk. Not only is this dish by Melanie Sorrentino easy to make, but it’s also super affordable and filling, especially when served with steamed rice!

11. Buckwheat and Avocado Tabbouleh

Source: Buckwheat and Avocado Tabbouleh

This is tabbouleh taken to the next level. Traditional tabbouleh has bulgur, tomatoes, onions, tons of parsley, mint, and a little bit of lettuce if you feel so inclined to get your greens in. This recipe by Rita Marie branches off by adding avocados, cucumber, chia, and flax, and substitutes buckwheat for bulgur. This recipe is reminiscent of tabbouleh only in the sense that it has all the delicious flavors of the original with even more healthy greens.

12. Fattoush Salad Bowl

Source: Fattoush Salad Bowl

These Middle-Eastern fattoush salad bowls come together easily and are full of flavor and get a fresh crunch from the romaine! This recipe by America’s Test Kitchen is a healthy and delicious plant-based meal option.

13. Pita Bread

Source: Pita Bread

This homemade pita bread recipe by Mireille Aikman is fluffy and soft with pockets just waiting to be filled with delicious veggies, grains, and sauce. Ready to learn how you can make the best pita bread recipe at home? Let’s get started!

14. Sesame Encrusted Spinach and Almond Falafel

Source: Sesame Encrusted Spinach and Almond Falafel

Falafel is easy to make, delicious to eat and you really can put any type of special “spin” on the recipe. Here, traditional falafel is made with chickpeas, almond meal, and spinach and encrusted with nutty, crunchy sesame seeds. Each falafel is bursting with color, protein, and flavor. Paired with the tahini yogurt sauce and simple cucumber and tomato salad, this dish by Cassandra Star will satisfy all tastes and cravings.

15. Tofu Shawarma

Source: Tofu Shawarma

This vegan shawarma recipe by Melissa Tedesco has all of the Middle Eastern flavors of classic shawarma and even looks pretty similar. Just simply swap out the meat for tofu.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

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