How to Make Labneh

labneh with chickpeas and olives on a plate.

5 from 3 votes

Learn How To Make Labneh at home with just 3 easy-to-find ingredients in this quick and easy tutorial. Cool, creamy, and enticingly thick, this Middle Eastern farmer’s cheese-meets-yogurt spread is a delightful addition to everything from breakfasts and grain bowls to soups and desserts!

Prep Time5

Resting Time1

Total Time1 5

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Servings:

Calories: 30kcal

Author: Emily Laurae

Equipment

Ingredients

1 Cup Full Fat Greek Yogurt
¼ teaspoon Lemon Juice
Pinch Salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Line a strainer with a couple layers of cheese cloth; set over a bowl large enough to hold it steady
Stir salt and lemon juice into the yogurt and scrape directly onto the cheesecloth. Bring cheesecloth corners together and twist or tie them together
1 Cup Full Fat Greek Yogurt, Pinch Salt, ¼ teaspoon Lemon Juice
Set the bowl with the strainer with the cheesecloth with the yogurt in the refrigerator for 24 to 72 hours. (The longer the drain time, the stiffer and drier the labneh.)
After draining, squeeze the bag gently to release any more liquid. Serve labneh immediately (see below) or store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Notes

Serving Suggestions

If you’re looking for ways to serve labneh, I have no shortage of ideas for you. Here are a few to get you started:

Veggie Dip - Plate the labneh in a shallow bowl and use the back of a spoon to make some pretty swirls. Drizzle with good-quality, cold-pressed olive oil and sprinkle with citrusy red sumac and a hefty pinch of za’atar spice. Serve with warm pita wedges and crudités for a simple WFH lunch or happy hour appetizer.
Mezze Platter - What the charcuterie platter is to the French, the mezze platter is to the Mediterranean. An assortment of dips like this labna cheese, whipped feta, and hummus, briny items like marinated olives and caper berries, fresh crudités like cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices, finger foods like stuffed grape leaves, plus breads and crackers round out these tasty Levantine grazing boards.
Toast Spread - Upgrade your next tartine by swapping in this creamy cheese sandwich spread for your usual ricotta or avocado mash - add some sun-dried tomatoes, good quality olive oil and a pinch of salt for a delicious snack.
Soup & Warm Salad Pizazz - Add a dollop of labneh to your favorite soups or atop a bed of wilted greens for a bit of richness.

Dessert Cheese - Stir in some powdered sugar and vanilla, then top with roasted berries and a sprig of mint for an oh-so-simple and deliciously elegant dessert.

Nutrition