Recipes

Hummus with Lamb (Kawarma)

Serves 4

| Prep Time: 40 mins

| Cook Time: 10 mins

| Total Time: 50 mins

You may need: Lebanese Baharat

Discover The Recipe

Hummus kawarma, or simply kawarma, is one of the most beloved dishes in Lebanon, and consists of richly spiced, crispy lamb piled over creamy hummus and topped with a refreshing and lightly spiced lemon-chili sauce and pine nuts. Typically served with warm flatbread and vegetables, hummus with lamb is eaten as both an appetizer and main dish, and is found all throughout the Middle-East. Interpretations vary from country-to-country and family-to-family, though its origins are thought to be centered around the Levant region, where hummus kawarma spills out of restaurants and market stalls in impressive quantities daily.

To capture the comforting and exquisite textures and flavors of this spectacular dish, our chefs developed a hummus with lamb (kawarma) recipe using our proprietary Lebanese Baharat spice blend. Baharat, which means spices in Arabic, is also known as Lebanese seven spice, and infuses the lamb with the iconic flavors of Lebanon. Cumin, coriander, cloves, nutmeg and allspice provide a comforting, warm foundation, while paprika and black pepper offer fruitiness and a pleasant amount of spice that is amplified by the flavor packed chili-lemon sauce. If you’re feeling ambitious, try making the hummus from scratch for an intoxicatingly creamy textural contrast, though ready made hummus works wonderfully. For an even deeper flavor profile, add our Piquant Post Za'atar to the lamb or sprinkle it over the hummus for an herby tang that compliments the baharat flavors beautifully. Baharat is incredibly versatile, so try it in chicken, fish, stews, roasted vegetables and dipping sauces!

Ingredients

Kawarma lamb:
1 lb ground lamb
2 Tbsp parsley, diced
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp Piquant Post Baharat
1 tsp Piquant Post Zaatar (optional)
2 Tbsp butter
Kawarma dressing:
¼ cup parsley, diced
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced (optional for heat)
4 Tbsp lemon juice (~2-3 lemons)
2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
⅛ tsp salt
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For serving:
2 cups hummus
¼ cup pine nuts
1 tsp Piquant Post Zaatar (optional)
Warm pita bread

Notes

If you prefer to make your own hummus, we recommend this homemade hummus recipe.

Optional ingredients add a little character and flavor but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them.

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all lamb ingredients, except butter, and mix well with your hands. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Whisk dressing ingredients together and set aside. In a small pan, toast pine nuts over medium heat. Set aside.

Heat butter in a large skillet over Med-High heat. Add lamb mixture and brown, breaking up meat mixture until cooked through (~6-8 mins).

Spoon hummus onto plate, and swirl with a spoon. Top with lamb mixture and spoon 1-2 Tbsp dressing on top. Garnish with pine nuts and zaatar spice.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Baharat is very versatile! Sprinkle Baharat spice blend on beef/steaks, chicken, or pork chops. Works great as a dry rub before the BBQ.
You can also try this blend in stews and soups. Be sure to try our Baharat Chicken with Tomato for a warm, filling dish.
Vegetarians should try Baharat on roasted squash, eggplant, or root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Try our Mujadara (Arabic Lentils and Rice) for a vegan delight! .
Substitute the ground lamb for ground beef, turkey or chicken.
Use Baharat in our Baharat-Spiced Meatballs for a comforting and cozy meal or our Lamb Baharat.
Be sure to leave comments and feedback on your meals and experiments in the comments for others to read.
Post pictures of your masterpiece meal on social media and tag us. We repost!