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    Home » Mediterranean recipes

    Easy Homemade Labneh Recipe (Video)

    Published: Aug 31, 2020 · Modified: Jul 6, 2022 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    697 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Labneh is a rich and creamy yogurt cheese from the Middle East. This easy recipe results in a tangy spread that you can top with extra virgin olive oil and serve with warm pita. 

    Labneh spread in a shallow bowl served with pita.

    Mezzes and delicious can be found on every Middle Eastern and Mediterranean table. A mezze platter is always overflowing with deliciousness: from hummus and mutabal to baba ganoush, fried halloumi and muhammara, all are tasty! Labneh is a great addition to your mezze platters. Delightfully blending the flavors of yogurt and cheese, it's so simple and easy to make. After you make it once, you’ll be hooked!

    Table Of Contents:
    • What is labneh?
    • Patience is key!
    • What kind of yogurt to use
    • How to make labneh
    • Serving suggestions
    • Labneh balls
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More dips and spreads
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    What is labneh?

    Labneh (also called labna or labni) is a Middle Eastern cheese from the Levant. It’s traditionally made from yogurt that has been strained for long enough to remove most of its whey. It has the tart and sour taste of yogurt but is spreadable and creamy.

    In addition to serving it fresh with olive oil and zaatar, it’s also common to let this yogurt-based cheese dry and then roll it into balls. These balls are often stored in a jar filled with olive oil and herbs. Today I'm going to show you how to make this easy spreadable yogurt cheese at home, with less than 15 minutes of hand-on time.

    Patience is key!

    This yogurt-based cheese is very simple and easy to make, though it does require a little bit of patience. I encourage you to let the yogurt release all its whey for at least 24 hours. Then, check and see if the it is thick enough. You can let it strain for an addition 24 hours for even thicker consistency. 

    drizzle yogurt cheese with olive oil and top with zaatar fro a classic middle eastern treat.

    What kind of yogurt to use

    You only need one ingredient to make labneh: plain yogurt. It’s best to use whole milk yogurt for this recipe and it can be either cow, sheep or goat milk yogurt. If you're a big fan of homemade foods, you can even make your own homemade yogurt using your instant pot. Using whole milk yogurt gives the final results a nice creamy texture that makes it spreadable. 

    How to make labneh

    In addition to yogurt, you will need salt and a cheesecloth or muslin. Mix yogurt and salt in a bowl. Place a sieve over a large bowl and line it with 2-3 layers of cheesecloth.

    Transfer the yogurt mixture into the cheesecloth and bring the edges to cover the yogurt on the top. Place the bowl and sieve in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours. 

    After this time, the bowl will be filled with whey and the cheese in the cheesecloth will be thick and spreadable. 

    Mix yogurt with salt. Pour it into cheesecloth and let it sit for 24 hours. Spread in a bowl.

    Serving suggestions

    The traditional way to serve labneh is to spread it in a shallow bowl, drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkle some zaatar on top. It can be served as part of a mezze platter alongside other dips such as roasted red pepper hummus, tzatziki, pickled turnips and some warm pita bread, pita chips or lavash. You can also serve it as a spread for sandwiches or toast. 

    This is a healthier alternative to cream cheese and can be served for breakfast with some bread, cucumber, tomatoes and walnuts. 

    Labneh balls

    A common way to store labneh is to roll it into small balls and preserve them in olive oil which is similar to marinated feta. To do so, once the labneh is ready, roll it into one inch balls. Place the balls on a large plate lined with a paper towel and refrigerate for 24 hours.

    Then place the balls in a glass jar and pour enough olive oil into the jar to cover the balls completely. You can add herbs such as fresh oregano or thyme if you like. Keep this jar in the fridge for up to two weeks and use the balls as you please. You can use the leftover olive oil to make homemade salad dressing. 

    If not placing balls in a jar with olive oil as described above, keep leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week. 

    This recipe gives about two cups of labneh that you can keep in the fridge for up to a week.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make this recipe with non dairy yogurt?

    You can use almond milk yogurt and just a few drops of lemon juice and salt to make vegan labneh. The process is the same as dairy based version.

    Is Greek yogurt and labneh the same?

    No, they are two different dairy products. Greek yogurt is smoother but labneh is thicker since the whey has been strained out. But you can turn whole milk yogurt into labneh using this recipe.

    Can I use labneh instead of sour cream?

    Labneh has a tangier flavor compared to sour cream. Depending on the dish, you can use them interchangeably in some recipes.

    Can I use low fat or non fat yogurt?

    Make sure you’re using whole milk yogurt for this recipe and not low-fat or non-fat yogurt. 

    More dips and spreads

    • Tirokafteri (Greek Spicy Feta Dip)
    • Creamy Whipped Ricotta
    • Persian Yogurt Beet Dip (Borani Laboo)
    • Best Whipped Feta Recipe

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Easy Homemade Labneh Recipe

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    Labneh is a rich and creamy yogurt cheese from the Middle East. This easy recipe results in a tangy spread that you can top with extra virgin olive oil and serve with warm pita. 
    5 from 27 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Refrigeration 1 d
    Total Time 1 d 5 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine middle eastern
    Servings 2 cups
    Calories 208 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 24 oz whole milk yogurt
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    To serve:

    • Pita bread
    • Olive oil extra virgin
    • zaatar

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, mix the yogurt with salt.
    • Line a strainer with 3 layers of cheesecloth and place it on top of a large bowl.
    • Transfer the yogurt into the cheesecloth and bring the edges together to cover the yogurt. Gently press down a little.
    • Put this in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours.
    • After 24 hours, the whey has strained from the yogurt into the bowl and you will have thick labneh in the strainer. Discard the whey (or save to use later).
    • Spread this thick labneh in a shallow bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with zaatar. Serve with warm pita bread.

    Video

    Notes

     
    • Labneh balls: A common way to store labneh is to roll it into small balls and preserve them in olive oil. To do so, once the labneh is ready, roll it into 1 inch balls. Place the balls on a large plate lined with a paper towel and refrigerate for 24 hours. Then place the labneh balls in a glass jar and pour enough olive oil to cover the balls completely. You can add herbs such as fresh oregano or thyme if you like. Keep this jar in the fridge for up to two weeks and use labneh balls as you please. You can use the leftover olive oil to make homemade salad dressing. 
    • Make sure you’re using whole milk yogurt for this recipe and not low-fat or non-fat yogurt. 
    • Store the labneh leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week. 
    • Labneh is a healthier alternative to cream cheese and can be served for breakfast with some bread, cucumber, tomatoes and walnuts. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2tablespoonCalories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 12gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 1319mgPotassium: 527mgSugar: 16gVitamin A: 337IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 412mgIron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!
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    697 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. L

      August 23, 2022 at 10:30 am

      5 stars
      loooove labneh with my chicken skewers. so refreshing for a summer meal!

      Reply
    2. Jill

      August 23, 2022 at 9:52 am

      5 stars
      If labneh is on the menu, I almost always order it as an appetizer. I'm so happy to learn how to make it at home! Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Janessa

      August 23, 2022 at 9:42 am

      5 stars
      I love labneh but had do idea that it was this easy to make! I can't wait to use this recipe to make my own.

      Reply
    4. veenaazmanov

      August 23, 2022 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      This is such a lovely and creamy Dip. Would love to add it to my weekend side dish. Looks so perfect.

      Reply
    5. Kali Alexandria

      August 23, 2022 at 9:05 am

      5 stars
      Such a great recipe! Hubby approved too!

      Reply
    6. Heather

      June 09, 2022 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      I had an extra container of plain yogurt I wasn't sure what to do with...made this and it was so delicious!! Loved it with pita!

      Reply
    7. Kerri

      June 09, 2022 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      How yummy! I hadn't heard of labneh until now but I am so glad I did! I will definitely be making this at my next gathering!

      Reply
    8. Anita

      June 09, 2022 at 10:49 am

      5 stars
      Wow, this is super easy to make and it goes really well with bread with a bit of honey.

      Reply
    9. Dijana

      June 09, 2022 at 9:42 am

      5 stars
      This is so good and easy to make! I was looking for something to serve with my favorite Moroccan semolina pita bread, and I found it!

      Reply
    10. Kathleen

      June 09, 2022 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      Wow, I had no idea it was this easy to make labneh. I will be putting this on my mezze platter from now on.

      Reply
    11. Jeanine

      May 24, 2022 at 10:24 am

      5 stars
      Looks delish! I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    12. Taylor

      May 24, 2022 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      This was so easy to make and SO delicious! We served with warm pitas and veggies. My family couldn't get enough!

      Reply
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    697 shares