Turkish Lebeniye Soup
Lebeniye Soup is a traditional Turkish dish that combines creamy yogurt, tender meatballs, and nutty chickpeas into a comforting, hearty meal. This soup is both nourishing and flavorful, making it perfect for cold days or when you’re craving something warm and satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy and rich – The yogurt base gives this soup a smooth, velvety texture.
- Perfectly spiced meatballs – Tender beef meatballs add protein and depth of flavor.
- Nutritious and filling – Packed with chickpeas and rice for a wholesome meal.
- Great for all seasons – Light yet hearty, making it perfect year-round.
Key Ingredients
- Yogurt – The star of the dish, yogurt adds a creamy tang and a rich, slightly tart flavor that balances the warmth of the meatballs and spices.
- Ground Beef – Forms the base of the tender, juicy meatballs.
- Chickpeas – These add a slightly nutty flavor and a satisfying bite, making the soup more filling and nutritious.
- Short-Grain Rice (Calrose Rice) – This rice variety helps thicken the soup slightly and gives it a delightful texture.
- Dried Mint – Infused in butter, dried mint releases a fragrant, earthy aroma that enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Turkish Lebeniye Soup
For the Meatballs:
In a bowl, mix ground beef, minced onion (excess water squeezed out), salt, and black pepper.
Form mini meatballs, coat them with all-purpose flour, and fry in olive oil until golden brown (about 6-7 minutes). Set aside.
For the Yogurt Mixture:
In a bowl, whisk together plain yogurt, all-purpose flour, and egg until smooth. Set aside.
Preparing the Soup:
In a pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil, then add the washed and soaked short-grain rice.
Cook until the rice is tender, then add canned chickpeas, another 3 cups of water, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Stir in the cooked meatballs. Slowly mix some hot soup into the yogurt sauce to temper it, then gradually pour it back into the pot while stirring continuously.
Simmer until the soup thickens slightly.
For the Mint Butter:
Melt unsalted butter in a small pan. Stir in dried mint and cook for 8 seconds.
Pour over the soup before serving.
Pro Tips for the Best Lebeniye Soup
- Adjust the consistency by adding more or less water based on your preference.
- For enhanced flavor, caramelize the onions before adding them to the soup.
- Omit the meatballs for a vegetarian version.
- Keep stirring when adding the yogurt to prevent curdling.
- Use fresh mint instead of dried for a brighter, herbaceous aroma.
Serving Ideas
- With Warm Flatbread – Perfect for dipping into the creamy broth.
- Side of Fresh Salad – A light Mediterranean salad complements the richness.
- Topped with Extra Mint Butter – Adds an extra burst of flavor and aroma.
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Final Thoughts
Turkish Lebeniye Soup is the perfect balance of creaminess, heartiness, and warming spices. Whether you make it for a cozy dinner or a special gathering, this traditional dish will leave everyone craving another bowl.
Turkish Lebeniye Soup
Ingredients
Ingredients for the meatballs
- 200 grams ground beef
- 1 medium onion minced; squeeze water from it
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour to coat the meatballs
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Ingredients for yogurt sauce
- 170 grams plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
Mint mixture
- 1 tablespoon dry mint
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
Other ingredients
- ½ cup short grain rice Calrose Rice washed and soaked for 20 minutes
- ¾ cup canned chickpeas
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 to 7 cups water
Instructions
Making meatballs
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl except flour, then form mini meatballs.
- Dust a plate with flour, coat the meatballs evenly, then fry in hot olive oil for 6-7 minutes on all sides.
Yogurt sauce
- Whisk yogurt with flour, add egg, and set aside.
- In a pot, add 3 cups water, boil, and add drained, soaked rice. Cook until tender, then add drained chickpeas and another 3 cups of water with salt, cooking for 5 minutes.
- Stir in cooked meatballs for a few seconds.
- Mix some soup with yogurt, then pour back while stirring until it simmers.
Mint and butter
- Melt butter, stir in dry mint for 8 seconds, and pour over soup before serving.
Video
Notes
- Adjust soup thickness by varying water. We like it thick but for thinner soup add more water.
- For more flavor, caramelize the onion and add it to the soup.
- Omit meatballs if you wish.