variants
or less commonly labne
: yogurt that has been salted and strained until thick and that is typically eaten as a dip or spread often with toppings (such as olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, or mint)
Smear a good spoonful of labneh across a nice piece of warm bread.—
Hasan Semay
Hasan Semay… labneh is noticeably thicker than Greek yogurt, as well as richer in flavor, so it's not a direct substitute—especially when used as a spread or dip, or in baking.—Stephanie Ganz
Stephanie GanzI live for the classic combination of tangy labne; a seasonal fruit preserve, such as apricot; and a sprinkle of za'atar and sea salt!—Lena Sarieni, quoted in Bon Appétit
Lena Sarieni, quoted in Bon AppétitWhite Moustache makes several yogurts and labneh (yogurt cheese), some unflavored and some with savory spices and herbs …—Jeffrey Steingarten
Jeffrey Steingarten… labne, a thick strained yogurt that is a Lebanese staple.—Neil MacFarquhar
Neil MacFarquharExamples of labneh in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The milk needs to be ready for when the dairywomen arrive to make yogurt and labneh.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Red wine vinaigrette brings the lightness, but the other option of labneh ranch has the right touch of richness.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Both provide similar amounts of protein, but labneh may be easier to digest for people with lactose sensitivities.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2026
Add labneh and pulse until blended.
—Faye Levy, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Kramer makes a case for throwing out the flour and eggs when making latkes and, most expansively, serving them year-round with everything from pickled chiles to loads of dill and basil, and, of course, labneh.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 12 Jan. 2026
Stir labneh, herbs, 1⁄2 teaspoon salt and 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic in a medium bowl until combined.
—Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Lin, who grew up in Dearborn, Mich. where there’s a thriving Arab American food scene, will tap into her love of flavors from the Middle East to create cumin lamb kebabs (with sumac onions and herbed labneh) at Flavor by Fire.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
Terminal 1’s The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck plates up sharing dishes with a local twist—creamy hummus, zesty labneh, and vibrant tabbouleh—alongside an eggy all-day selection of breakfast classics like fluffy omelets and golden waffles.
—Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Dec. 2024
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Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
Red wine vinaigrette brings the lightness, but the other option of labneh ranch has the right touch of richness.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Both provide similar amounts of protein, but labneh may be easier to digest for people with lactose sensitivities.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2026
Add labneh and pulse until blended.
—Faye Levy, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Kramer makes a case for throwing out the flour and eggs when making latkes and, most expansively, serving them year-round with everything from pickled chiles to loads of dill and basil, and, of course, labneh.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 12 Jan. 2026
Stir labneh, herbs, 1⁄2 teaspoon salt and 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic in a medium bowl until combined.
—Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Lin, who grew up in Dearborn, Mich. where there’s a thriving Arab American food scene, will tap into her love of flavors from the Middle East to create cumin lamb kebabs (with sumac onions and herbed labneh) at Flavor by Fire.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
Terminal 1’s The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck plates up sharing dishes with a local twist—creamy hummus, zesty labneh, and vibrant tabbouleh—alongside an eggy all-day selection of breakfast classics like fluffy omelets and golden waffles.
—Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Labneh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labneh. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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