Spiced Labneh Dip

Creamy and delicious, this Spiced Whipped Labneh Dip is an easy, no-cook dish that’s a perfect appetizer for your next dinner party or get-together. Drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with za’atar and crushed chili peppers, it’s a little spicy, a little tangy, and extremely luscious. As an appetizer, dip, or as part of a mezze platter, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe is simple enough that you’ll want to make it again and again. 

What is Labneh?

Labneh is a soft, spreadable cheese made from strained yogurt. It has a deliciously salty, tangy flavour and can be enjoyed on its own or as an ingredient (like in this labneh dip recipe). It has a paste-like consistency, similar to cream cheese, which is why we’ll whip it to create a thick, creamy texture for this dip. It’s often compared to Greek yogurt, but we wouldn’t use labneh in sweet recipes like we would Greek yogurt. Labneh is frequently incorporated into Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines as a condiment or cheese. It’s typically served with pita bread. Our Authentic Labneh is also Kosher and Halal-certified. 

What is Za’atar?

Za’atar is a seasoning blend that combines spices and seeds to amp up your next culinary adventure. It originated in the Middle East and is earthy, nutty, zesty, and tangy. While the recipe can vary from region to region, our Za’atar Seasoning contains the traditional thyme, sesame seeds, salt, sumac, and cumin. Purchasing a premade blend like the one we offer in Farm Boy stores adds extra convenience to your cooking. 

Za’atar is a surprisingly versatile—and flavourful—seasoning choice. Sprinkle it in salads, on pizzas, atop dips, on roasted potatoes, over breads, on popcorn, and more! This bright spice blend adds an unexpected flavour and a touch of crunch that’s absolutely delicious. 

Ingredients You’ll Need for this Labneh Dip Recipe

Labneh: You could make your own labneh from strained Greek yogurt whipped with salt. However, this process can take hours to do correctly. For a much more convenient option, you can pick up our Authentic Labneh, which is made locally in small batches. 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is a must for this recipe. In addition to drizzling on top of your labneh, we whisk the oil into the labneh as well. This makes the dip light, creamy, and fluffy. 

Garlic: Doesn’t everything taste better with garlic? You could chop fresh garlic for this recipe or use our fermented Garlic Flowers. Packaged for your convenience, this must-have ingredient is also a product of Canada. 

Za’atar Seasoning: This traditional spice blend contains thyme, sesame seeds, salt, sumac, and cumin. You can make your own if you already have these spices on hand, or pick up our pre-mixed option. For this labneh recipe, there is no substitution for the za’atar seasoning. 

Sumac Spice: An ingredient found in our Za’atar Seasoning, we also added a pinch of extra sumac to this labneh dip recipe. Popular in Middle Eastern recipes, sumac has a tangy flavour with an earthy sweetness and notes of floral and citrus. This addition helps enhance the citrus notes of this recipe. (You can also add freshly grated lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice to bring out more tang in the labneh.) 

Different Labneh Topping Variations

Labneh is delicious on its own or as a spread in your favourite sandwiches or wraps. However, if you want to present this as a labneh dip, you have some options for enhancing the flavour profile of this Middle Eastern food. Some of our favourite topping variations with eye-catching presentations for this labneh dip recipe are: 

Roasted Tomatoes and Olives: In a skillet, warm good quality extra virgin olive oil and add sliced garlic and thyme and cook until the garlic is golden. Then, add cherry or grape tomatoes, za’atar seasoning, and Farm Boy™ Organic Crushed Chili Peppers. Add Farm Boy™ Garlic Stuffed Green Olives and Farm Boy™ Jumbo Kalamata Olives and cook until warm. Spoon this tomato and olive topping over your labneh dip. 

Pistachio Mint and Olive: Combine extra virgin olive oil with chopped fresh mint leaves, toasted chopped pistachios (or Farm Boy™ Salted Roasted Pistachios, chopped), chopped Farm Boy™ Sliced Kalamata Olives, Farm Boy™ Za’atar Seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Spread over your plated whipped labneh, allowing it to drip down the sides. Sprinkle with fresh pomegranate arils. 

Chili Crisp: For extra spice and texture, spoon a chili crisp condiment over your plated labneh. Drizzle a good amount of Farm Boy™ Pure Ontario Liquid Honey on top. (If you’d like even more heat you’re your sweet, try Farm Boy™ Hot Honey.) Sprinkle with sliced scallions to finish. 

Za’atar and Pomegranate: For a simple version that omits the spice but still keeps all the flavour, drizzle your labneh dip with some olive oil. Then, add a sprinkle of Farm Boy™ Za’atar Seasoning and a few fresh pomegranate arils for a more tart interpretation. 

What to Serve with Labneh Dip

Pita Chips: Crispy and crunchy, pita dips are a natural choice to pair with labneh dip. You can make your own pita chips by slicing pita bread into wedges and baking at 350°F for six to seven minutes, or until the chips are crispy. However, if that sounds like too much work (and you really don’t want to turn your oven on), we have a solution. Farm Boy™ Pita Chips are made with authentic Mediterranean pita bread that’s double-baked for an extra crunchy bite. They’re sturdy enough to hold up to this rich labneh dip and come in three different flavours. 

Fresh Veggie Sticks: This labneh dip recipe also pairs beautifully with fresh veggie sticks. Slice fresh carrots, cucumbers, celery, and bell peppers into strips for easy handling and dipping. In addition to being full of vibrant colours, these healthy veggies are also a great source of vitamins and minerals. Their fresh flavour enhances the tang of this Middle Eastern-inspired dip. 

Fattoush Chips: Another style of pita chips perfect for dipping are our Fattoush Chips. Inspired by Middle Eastern Fattoush salad, our chips are cooked in 100% coconut oil for an authentic taste and wonderful crunch. They hold up well to a sturdy dip like the one in this labneh recipe or can be enjoyed all on their own. For this recipe, we recommend our Herb & Garlic or Sea Salt varieties. 

Naan: Maybe you don’t want crunch with your creamy. Instead, you’d prefer a softer bread to scoop up all that rich, tangy dip. Our Flame-Baked Naan is soft, fluffy, and can be easily served alongside this dip. It’s stone-baked to maintain its traditional taste and texture. No need to cut, you can simply tear this bread into pieces for a simple, rustic style. Choose between Garlic, Original, or Whole Wheat. 

More Mediterranean-Inspired Recipes from Farm Boy

Looking for more Mediterranean-style recipes? Check out any of the dishes below! 

• Mediterranean Style Farro Salad 
• Mediterranean Barley and Chickpea Salad 
• Panko Crusted Mediterranean Halibut Fillets 
• Mediterranean Almond and Plum Cake 
• Almond-Crusted Salmon, Mediterranean Vegetable Orzo, and Lemon Parmesan Asparagus 
• Savoury Sausage Stuffed Eggplants 
• Mediterranean Bean, Kale, & Quinoa Salad 
• Mediterranean Black Cod en Papillotte 
• Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl 
• Mediterranean Pesto Pasta with Goat Cheese 

More Middle Eastern-Inspired Recipes from Farm Boy

Looking for more Middle Eastern-inspired recipes? Check out any of the dishes below! 

• Turkey Kofte with Sumac Onions 
• Falafel Wraps 
• Fattoush Salad 
• Grilled Halloumi with Figs and Honey 
• Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Spicy Toum 
• Vegan Roasted Red Pepper & Harissa Dip 
• Spiced Lamb on Baba Ganoush 
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Tahini Cookies 
• Grilled Chicken and Halloumi Platter 
• Oven Roasted Shawarma Chicken