Khiyar Bil Laban
Last Updated on May 21, 2023 by Jacqueline Rafidi
This cucumber yogurt dip, known as khiyar bil laban, is the perfect dip to go with your spring and summer cookouts!
Many cultures have a version of this dip. Greeks have tzaziki, there is cacik in Turkey, raita in India. Each one has their own twist – this is the Arab version!
Khiyar bil laban
The way we eat this is similar to other varieties.
– Eat it with kifta or other kebabs
– Add it to sandwiches or kifta burgers
– Simply dip it with bread or pita chips
Making this dip is so easy and requires minimal ingredients:
The yogurt: The main ingredient is plain yogurt. I tend to always have Greek yogurt on hand though which is thicker, so when I make this I just add a bit of water to dilute it and make the consistency a bit looser. Get a brand you like because this will dictate the taste of the dish.
The cucumbers: Persian cucumbers work best here and in my opinion have the best flavor. I get mine at my Middle Eastern grocery store, but I’ve also seen Persian cucumbers at Trader Joe’s, Costco and conventional grocery stores. If you can’t find it near you, English cucumbers would be the next best option.
The flavorings: Garlic, dried mint and a pinch of salt give this dish it’s distinct flavor. Grating the garlic in is very important – if the garlic is not minced fine enough, you could end up biting into a piece of garlic which isn’t really enjoyable. The dried mint adds a touch of freshness to this khiyar bil laban and little green specs throughout the dip which make it so appetizing. And of course just a bit of salt brings out all the flavors.
When you make this khiyar bil laban, comment down below and rate this recipe to let me know your thoughts! Also share a picture or tag me on Instagram @thebitewithjackie, I love seeing your remakes!
Khiyar Bil Laban
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups plain yogurt or Greek yogurt *See Note
- 2-3 Persian cucumbers quartered and sliced thinly
- 2 medium cloves garlic grated
- 1 handful dried mint crushed
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Add the yogurt to a bowl, add the chopped cucumbers, grate in the garlic (very important that its grated and not minced), crush in the dry mint with your hands and sprinkle in some salt. Mix everything together well and you have the perfect side dish ready to go!
Notes
Greek yogurt is thicker than regular yogurt so if you’re using that, try mixing it with 1 Tablespoon of water at a time to thin it out and get the consistency you want.
