Homemade Labneh Recipe on Food52 (2024)

5 Ingredients or Fewer

by: Rivka

September21,2012

5

1 Ratings

  • Prep time 24 hours 2 minutes
  • Serves 4-6

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Author Notes

After college, I lived in Jerusalem for two years. Thursday afternoons, with class and work over for the week, I’d flee my office in the suburbs and hop on the 21 bus, which took me right smack into the heart of downtown. From there, I’d bound up the stairs of the Jaffa Gate, pass the first few vendors in the Shuk (market), and hook a left. Tucked across from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and just steps from the hustle of the market was Lena’s, home of the best hummus and labneh Jerusalem has to offer.

To Jerusalemites, those may be fighting words; countless stalls would lay claim to that title. But Lena’s truly is the best. Their hummus is served warm, with plenty of fresh tahini, a pile of just-cooked chickpeas , and a more-than-healthy swirl of really fragrant olive oil. And their labneh is equally perfect, dressed, too, with plenty of that olive oil and a big sprinkle of za’atar. (What is labneh? An ultra-creamy, slightly tart cheese made from straining yogurt. It's like sour cream, if it got magically thicker and more luscious.)

My time in Jerusalem flew by. Before I knew it, I was back in the U.S., without either my fun non-profit job or my beloved Lena’s. The job I could replace, but the hummus and labneh I couldn’t live without. Within a week of moving to my apartment in D.C., I was testing recipes.

Hummus proved easy, in part because recipes abound. Over the years, I’ve settled on a formula very similar to the one Yotam Ottolenghi published in his last book, Plenty, with lots of garlic, an obscene amount of tahini, and the secret ingredient: baking soda.

But then there was the matter of a labneh recipe. My Israeli friends tried to intimidate me, saying the Jerusalem water makes the original formula not replicable. But I knew that was bunk, because a) since when is labneh akin to San Francisco sourdough? And b) Jerusalem water is not my favorite, taste-wise.

As it happens, making good labneh is even easier than making good hummus. You absolutely need good extra virgin olive oil and good za’atar. Those are non-negotiables. But the method is simple:

1. Just stir a tiny bit of lemon juice and salt into Greek yogurt.

2. Set the mixture inside a cheesecloth-lined strainer, and let time do the work. (As in, 12 to 24 hours.)

3. After a nice long wait, the salt will dissolve into the yogurt, which mellows slightly as it sits. Most importantly, the whey strains out, leaving you with thick, concentrated labneh.

From there, all you have to do is drown the labneh in good olive oil, sprinkle more than a few pinches of za’atar overtop, and have warm pita at the ready. Were you hoping for something more complicated? Sorry about that. —Rivka

  • Test Kitchen-Approved
Ingredients
  • 12 ouncesof your favorite Greek yogurt (I like fa*ge)
  • a small pinch of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoonfresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoonsgood olive oil
  • 1 tablespoonza'atar
Directions
  1. Line a fine strainer with a few layers of cheesecloth and set over a bowl.
  2. In another bowl, combine yogurt, salt, and lemon juice. Stir to incorporate. Spoon yogurt mixture into the cheesecloth-lined strainer and fold layers of cheesecloth over the yogurt to cover completely.
  3. Transfer yogurt (and strainer and bowl) to the refrigerator for 12-24 hours. After 12 hours, the yogurt mixture will have thickened into standard labneh; after 24 hours, it will have thickened further, into the extra-stiff labneh that you can buy in tubes at Jerusalem markets. When making it at home, I favor extra-thick labneh.
  4. Remove strained labneh from the fridge, unfold cheesecloth, and transfer labneh to a serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to make a swirly pattern in the top of the labneh. Drizzle the oil over the labneh and sprinkle with za’atar. Serve cold, with hummus and sliced vegetables and/or warm pita.

Tags:

  • Condiment/Spread
  • Middle Eastern
  • Israeli
  • Lemon Juice
  • 5 Ingredients or Fewer
  • Make Ahead
  • Appetizer

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • bonnie witlam

  • alamesa

  • Rivka

  • Goldie

Recipe by: Rivka

I'm a healthcare consultant by day, food blogger by night, and I make a mean veggie chili. I'm eat a mostly-vegetarian diet, but have a soft spot for meat, especially braised short ribs. And this profile wouldn't be complete without an admission that I absolutely am addicted to cookies and chocolate. Finally, I love the idea of food52 and can't wait to share and read my and others' favorite recipes!

Popular on Food52

13 Reviews

Goldie October 8, 2018

I have found several types of za'atar in my local grocery store. Can you give me any hints to which one I should try? (There is one called Jerusalem)

saadat September 16, 2017

it turned out very well... recently I moved from the mid east back to Pakistan and was perturbed at the prospect of not getting my fresh labneh for my breakfast... after not finding it on the usual market shelves....i started toying with the idea of DIY..... came here and hit gold...!
Rivka....thanx for this special favor....thumbs pal... may you have many more...:))

Rivka September 17, 2017

So glad to hear this worked for you! I've never had Pakistani labneh, but I'd love to try it one day.

emcsull January 11, 2017

so what about kefir, can I use that ?

bonnie W. June 10, 2015

I'm relatively new to the world of labneh,found the best homemade at an international market in Houston. Really, really luv it with fresh figs and honey. Figs r out of season so I've just tried fresh peaches and honey! Wow , throw a few chopped pecans on top and truly delicious breakfast. Trying your recipe tomorrow!

dinaofdoom August 22, 2014

i've been using a strainer and greek yogurt to make "yogurt cheese", which has a chevre-like consistency. gonna try the lemon & salt and see how it goes!

ashley M. June 4, 2014

Mixing cow and goat milk yogurts makes for a delicious labneh.

sadenis December 8, 2013

I make my own Greek yogurt by setting my homemade yogurt in a cheesecloth-lined strainer. Could I just add the salt and lemon partway through and continue with this recipe?

Rivka December 9, 2013

I don't see why not - let us know how it turns out!

Grandma L. October 2, 2012

Is there a particular za’atar you recommend? Thanks!

Rivka December 9, 2013

Sorry I'm so late to this comment! Don't know how I missed it. Mine is from Israel, so unfortunately I don't know a good American brand. I'd recommend buying it some place where you can smell it beforehand. If you don't have that option, I'd put my money on Kalustyan's having a good one, and you can order from them online.

alamesa September 28, 2012

Never made Labneh and cannot wait to give this a try. I'm constantly making hummus (garlic and tahini heavy!) and this is going to be a welcome change

Rivka September 28, 2012

Make both together! Nothing's better than hot pita with a shmear of each. Enjoy.

Homemade Labneh Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What yogurt is closest to labneh? ›

Because they are so similar, it's sometimes possible to swap Greek yogurt for labneh and vice versa in applications. Greek yogurt and labneh have tangy flavor profiles, so if you're looking to add a dollop to something like this creamy carrot soup with lemon and dill or this easy lobster bisque, both will work nicely.

Is labneh as healthy as yogurt? ›

Probiotic yogurt, kefir and labneh are all high in probiotics, low in lactose and loaded with protein, making each an excellent addition to a well-rounded, healthy diet. Compared to labneh, both yogurt and kefir are slightly higher in a few select essential vitamins and minerals.

What can I use as a substitute for labneh? ›

Substitutes. You can use yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, or mascarpone in place of labneh for many uses, but the flavor and texture won't be quite the same.

How do you use labneh in food? ›

Aside from a classic plate of labaneh with some bread, or even just eating it with a spoon (one of the reasons it doesn't last very long in my fridge—it's that satisfying!), you can also use it in place of other types of cheese, spreading it on a sandwich or rolling it into balls and tossing them into salads.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of labneh? ›

If you don't have labneh, you can also sub in Greek. yogurt. This standout uses labneh, a Middle Eastern yogurt ... Jones, Martha is going Turkish.

Can you buy labneh in a supermarket? ›

Many grocery stores now carry labneh in the dairy section, but it's simple to make at home. You only need whole-milk yogurt (cow's milk is more traditional, but goat's milk is another option) and a little salt. No need to use Greek yogurt here; plain, unsweetened whole-milk yogurt will do the trick.

Is labneh bad for cholesterol? ›

The probiotics in labneh cheese can strengthen your digestion, immune function, weight management, mental health, cholesterol levels and skin health.

Is labneh high in probiotics? ›

Like most Middle Eastern foods, labneh is extremely good for you. Apart from being an important source of protein, labneh is considered a probiotic food, meaning that it is high in a range of healthy bacteria that help to boost your immune system.

Can you eat labneh by itself? ›

The dogs haven't had any complaints either, about a bite here and there of the cheese by itself. It could be great as a dip, topped with olive oil and lemon, and you could roll it in or mix in chopped nuts, or fresh herbs like oregano, freshly ground pepper, even roasted red peppers would probably be delightful.

What is the English name for labneh? ›

Strained yogurt is known as labneh (labna, labni, labne, lebni, or labani; Arabic: لبنة) in the Levant, Israel, Egypt, and the Arabian Peninsula.

What cheese is similar to labneh? ›

If you're not familiar with labneh, it's a soft cheese made by straining yogurt to remove the whey. It has a thick, spreadable texture similar to soft goat cheese or cream cheese, and thanks to its yogurt base, its flavor is rich and tangy.

Does Trader Joe's have labneh cheese? ›

🚨 Labneh a new item at Trader Joe's! A creamy Tangy, Extra strained middle eastern style Kefir cheese. . Makes a tangy dip for veggies or chips or to top lunch or dinner with.

How long does labneh keep in the fridge? ›

How Long Does Labneh Last. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The balls in oil will keep for up to 6 months in a dark place – though they can last even longer.

Is labneh similar to ricotta? ›

OF course you can substitute Labneh for Ricotta. The question is if you should or want to. Will it give you your desired results? From my understanding the texture and moisture content will not be issues.

Which is better labneh or Greek yogurt? ›

Well, that all depends on what you're making. If you're looking for a protein-packed dressing with herbal notes, then labneh is the way to go. But if you want a smooth, spoonable breakfast, then Greek yogurt is the choice for you.

What is difference between labneh and yogurt? ›

In summary, labneh is a Middle Eastern dairy product made by draining yogurt, resulting in a thick, creamy, and tangy cheese that can be preserved in olive oil. Strained yogurt, on the other hand, is a thicker, creamier yogurt with a milder taste that is often used as a base for dips and sauces.

Is Greek yogurt labneh or laban? ›

Made by straining yogurt past the point of even Greek yogurt, labneh (aka labane, lebni, labne, or lebnah) is thick and spreadable, and sometimes appropriately called "yogurt cheese." Most often made from cow's milk, the texture is usually somewhere between mascarpone (or cream cheese) and fresh chevre, although you ...

Is labneh the same as sour cream? ›

Is labneh similar to sour cream? Labneh is thicker and less tangy than sour cream. Because of the acidity in labneh, it can possibly be used in place of sour cream in baking recipes.

Is labneh similar to feta? ›

Overall, the key differences among these cheeses lie in their origin, texture, flavor, and production processes. Feta cheese is crumbly, tangy, and made from sheep's, cow's, or goat's milk. Labneh cheese is creamy, mildly tangy, and made from Milk, Starter Culture, Enzymes or Rennet, and salt.

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