Syria Recipes
Aleppo and Damascus, pantries of the ancient world. Not sure what to eat in Syria? Start with Kibbeh, Chicken Shawarma, Halawet el Jibn and Balila. Here are 9 authentic Syria recipes, each from a specific region, with cultural context and dietary substitutions for every table.
9 recipes
KibbehDamascus, Syria · advanced · 1 h 10 minTorpedo-shaped bulgur shells stuffed with spiced meat and pine nuts, fried until crisp.
Kibbeh BalilaDamascus, Syria · easy · 30 minWarm chickpeas dressed with cumin, lemon, garlic, and olive oil, a simple Damascene breakfast.
Chicken ShawarmaDamascus, Syria · medium · 2 h 55 minMarinated spiced chicken roasted and shaved into flatbread with garlic sauce and pickles, the Levant's great street lunch.
Halawet el JibnDamascus, Syria · advanced · 2 hSoft semolina-and-cheese dough rolled around clotted cream and drenched in syrup, a Damascene sweet-cheese specialty.
Shish BarakDamascus, Syria · advanced · 1 h 45 minLittle Syrian meat dumplings baked then simmered in a warm, garlicky cooked-yogurt sauce, finished with fried garlic and pine nuts.
MuhammaraDamascus, Syria · easy · 35 minThe crimson mezze of roasted red peppers, walnuts, and pomegranate molasses, smoky, sweet, and gently fierce.
FattoushDamascus, Syria · easy · 30 minA bright Syrian chopped salad of crisp vegetables and toasted flatbread in a tangy sumac and pomegranate molasses dressing.
Makdous (Syrian Oil-Cured Stuffed Eggplants)Damascus, Syria · medium · 5.5 daysBaby eggplants blanched, salted and pressed, stuffed with walnuts, red pepper, chili and garlic and cured under olive oil for days until tangy, then eaten straight from the jar with warm flatbread.
Burghul bi Banadoura (Syrian Tomato Bulgur Pilaf)Damascus, Syria · easy · 1 hCoarse bulgur simmered in a quick sauce of fresh tomatoes, onion and green pepper until each grain is tender and stained red, served beside stews, grills and yogurt.
📋 Teaching Syria?A free, printable Country of the Week guide for the classroom: geography, a kid-friendly recipe, and discussion prompts.
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