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    Whip & Wander » Recipes » Appetizers & Bites

    Published: Feb 17, 2020 · Modified: May 16, 2022 by Jenni · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Easy Labneh Cheese

    This page may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    labneh cheese in a white bowl on a dark blue towel on top of a wooden surface
    a gold spoon resting in a dish with labneh cheese dressed with spices and oil
    a white bowl filled with yogurt and a hand squeezing half a lemon into it
    a bowl of labneh cheese with olive oil and spices and a hand spooning it up
    a half a lemon being squeezed by a hand over a bowl of yogurt that contains a spoon
    a gold spoon resting in a dish of olive oil drizzled on top of labneh yogurt with za'atar spices sprinkled on top
    a spoon scooping into a dish of labneh yogurt cheese with oil and spices
    za'atar spices and oliv eoil on top of a yogurt based cheese in a white dish with a dark blue towel on a wooden table

    a hand spooning easy labneh cheese with olive oil and za'atar spices out of a white bowl on top of a teal towel

    Creamy, tangy, and delicious

    If I had to make a list of dishes that I think everyone should learn how to make, this Easy Labneh Cheese would be toward the top. It preps in a matter of minutes with 3 simple ingredients and then is transferred to the fridge for a totally hands-off finish. With a flavor that is perfectly creamy and tangy, this yogurt-based cheese pairs equally well with sweet, savory, and spicy dishes. This easy recipe is going to quickly become a staple for brunch, family dinners, parties, and everything in between.

    What is Labneh Cheese?

    Labneh Cheese is a soft cheese made of strained yogurt that is popular in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. The texture is smooth and creamy, and depending on how long it's strained, the consistency can be as light as a thick dip or as heavy as very firm and dense cream cheese.

    a white bowl of yogurt, a cutting board with lemons, a white canister of salt, and some cheesecloth

    a hand squeezing a lemon into into a white bowl of Greek yogurt

    a hand mixing yogurt in a white bowl with cheese cloth, a white towel, and sliced lemon in the background

    How is Easy Labneh Cheese Made?

    1. In a mixing bowl, combine Greek Yogurt, lemon juice, and salt with a spoon or spatula until well-mixed.
    2. Nest a sieve over the top of a clean mixing bowl, ensuring that there is atleast 1 inch of space between the bottom of the sieve and the bottom of the mixing bowl. Line the sieve with cheesecloth.
    3. Transfer the yogurt mixture to the center of the cheesecloth-lined sieve. Fold the edges of the cheesecloth over to cover the yogurt mixture fully, bring the ends together, and tightly secure with a rubber band or kitchen twine.
    4. Place a heavy plate or can on top of the tied cheesecloth to help weigh it down.
    5. Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator. Allow to drain for 1-4 days, depending on how thick you would like the end result of your Easy Labneh Cheese to be. A shorter time in the refrigerator will result in a thinner Labneh the consistency of a thick dip. The longer the Labneh drains, the thicker it will become until it reaches the consistency of a very thick cream cheese that you can roll into balls by hand.
    6. When ready to use, discard the whey from the bottom of the mixing bowl (or save for baking).

    a hand pouring labneh cheese into a cheesecloth lined sieve set over a mixing bowl

    labneh cheese in cheesecloth

    4 process images showing labneh cheese in cheesecloth, a hand folding the cloth, tying it with a rubber band, and a hand resting on a white plate on a wooden surface

    What should I serve Easy Labneh Cheese with?

    This Easy Labneh Cheese pairs equally well with sweet and savory flavors, making it a delicious accompaniment for brunch dishes, appetizers, main course dishes, and dessert. Some of my favorite ways to use it are:

    • Served as a base for a delicious appetizer board like this Labneh Cheese Board with Olive Tapenade and Roasted Cauliflower (recipe coming soon!)
    • Dolloped on top of creamy or spicy soups and chilis like this Roasted Butternut Squash with Chorizo or this Chili with Butternut Squash
    • As an alternative to sour cream on top of potato dishes like these Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Chimichurri Sauce
    • To tame spicy dishes like these Stuffed Poblano Peppers, these Jalapeno Poppers, or this Cuban Picadillo
    • As an alternative to Tzatziki sauce with these Greek Lamb Meatballs
    • Served with rich brunch dishes like Shakshuka (add a loaf of crusty bread or soft flatbread and it's heaven!)
    • Dolloped on top of warm breakfast dishes like oatmeal or Scottish Porridge
    • Served as a spread on top of hot baked goods, muffins, and breads like these Grain-Free Biscuits or this Browned Butter Buttermilk Skillet Cornbread with sweet or savory toppings
    • As an alternative to yogurt or cream cheese in creamy dips and spreads like this Pimento Cheese
    • Served with roasted vegetables or caramelized onions on top
    • Served with fresh fruit or preserves and a drizzle of honey and nuts for breakfast or dessert
    • As a tangy topping for rich desserts such as cheesecake, chocolate tartes, butterscotch pudding, or chocolate mousse
    • As a filling for profiteroles with sweet or savory fillings such as herbs or preserves
    • Served as a spread for sandwiches, stuffed into pita bread, or used in place of cream cheese on bagels
    • Used on a mezze platter alongside olives, veggies, hummus, and pita
    • Served simply with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of herbs or spices (Za'atar is a favorite) alongside crusty bread to dip and scoop
    • Strained until it reaches a very thick, dense cream cheese consistency and then rolled into balls. These are lovely rolled in herbs, spices, nuts, and/or edible flowers and served as colorful balls. Or, they are also lovely stored in jars with olive oil to which you can add herbs, peppers, or preserved lemons. Labneh cheese balls are especially delicious tossed into salads or pasta salads.

    a white bowl of labneh cheese on a dark teal towel

    a bottle of olive oil being drizzled over the top of a white bowl of labneh cheese with a dark teal towel on a wooden surface

    a white bowl filled with labneh cheese and olive oil resting on a dark blue towel

    How long does this recipe keep?

    This is entirely dependent on the shelf life of the yogurt you choose to use when making this Easy Labneh Cheese. If your yogurt is close to expiration, it won't keep as long. If your yogurt is fresh with a generous shelf life, it can easily keep for a week or longer when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    What tools do I need to make this recipe?

    • 2 mixing bowls
    • A sieve that can nest over one of the mixing bowls (there should be atleast 1 inch of space between the bottom of the bowl and the bottom of the sieve)
    • A spoon or spatula for mixing
    • Measuring spoons
    • 4-6 layers of cheesecloth, around 12x12 in size
    • A rubber band or kitchen twine
    • A heavy plate or can (to weigh the top down)

    Are you looking to upgrade to your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.

    a white dish with labneh cheese, olive oil, za'atar spices on a wooden surface with a dark blue towel

    a gold spoon in a white dish of labneh cheese, olive oil, and spices

    A note for special diets

    This recipe for Easy Labneh Cheese is grain-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and friendly for keto diets. If you would like to make this recipe friendly for Low-FODMAP diets, you will need to use a lactose-free yogurt.

    a gold spoon in a yogurt cheese topped with olive oil and spices

    a white bowl containing a spoon, labneh cheese, olive oil, and za'atar spices resting on a towel lined wooden table

    Print
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    a hand spooning easy labneh cheese with olive oil and za'atar spices out of a white bowl on top of a teal towel

    Easy Labneh Cheese

    ★★★★★ 5 from 18 reviews
    • Author: Whip & Wander
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Total Time: 24 hours
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    • Category: Appetizers & Bites, Sides
    • Method: Refrigerator
    • Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Easy Labneh Cheese is a Middle Eastern yogurt-based cheese that preps in minutes with 3 simple ingredients and a hands-off finish the the fridge.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 32oz whole milk Greek yogurt (5% is my preferred choice, may sub lactose-free yogurt for Low-FODMAP)
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • ½ tsp sea salt

    Instructions

    1. In a mixing bowl, combine Greek Yogurt, lemon juice, and salt with a spoon or spatula until well-mixed.
    2. Nest a sieve over the top of a clean mixing bowl, ensuring that there is atleast 1 inch of space between the bottom of the sieve and the bottom of the mixing bowl. Line the sieve with 4-6 layers of cheesecloth (around 12in x 12in).
    3. Transfer the yogurt mixture to the center of the cheesecloth-lined sieve. Fold the edges of the cheesecloth over to cover the yogurt mixture fully, bring the ends together, and tightly secure with a rubber band or kitchen twine.
    4. Place a heavy plate or can on top of the tied cheesecloth to help weigh it down.
    5. Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator. Allow to drain for 1-4 days, depending on how thick you would like the end result of your Easy Labneh Cheese to be. A shorter time in the refrigerator will result in a thinner Labneh the consistency of a thick dip. The longer the Labneh drains, the thicker it will become until it reaches the consistency of a very thick cream cheese that you can roll into balls by hand.
    6. When ready to use, discard the whey from the bottom of the mixing bowl (or save for baking).

    Notes

    Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.


    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 portion
    • Calories: 107
    • Sugar: 3 g
    • Sodium: 188 mg
    • Fat: 6 g
    • Saturated Fat: 4 g
    • Carbohydrates: 3 g
    • Protein: 10 g
    • Cholesterol: 20 mg

    Keywords: Labneh Cheese

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amanda says

      April 05, 2020 at 5:54 pm

      I'm so glad I came across this recipe! The labneh cheese came out so incredibly creamy and decadent. Plus, it was super simple to put together. Can't wait to make this again!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Dana says

      March 21, 2020 at 7:44 am

      I absolutely cannot wait for your labneh cheese board post because this recipe is LIFE. I'm ashamed to admit that I had no idea making this was so easy. It's been on my to-make list for far too long. I could have made it ages ago. I almost feel embarrassed lol! I *always* have these ingredients on hand! Ah well. Here we are. I honestly can't wait for my first time entertaining where I can make some kind of Mediterranean labneh board. Might be a while though. Maybe social distancing will allow me to just enjoy a large board of this stuff to myself? 😉

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Debra Klein says

      March 19, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      YUM! We made this earlier today with almond yogurt....and I stuffed it into dates and then topped with a drizzle of honey. Served it for dessert and got a two thumbs up from everyone. Will definitely be making this again. Delish.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Whip & Wander says

        March 23, 2020 at 7:08 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed, Debra! That sounds delicious!

        Reply
    4. [email protected] says

      March 17, 2020 at 10:32 am

      I've been wanting to make fresh cheeses for a while, and I keep meaning to get around to it, but I think this will be the recipe I need to turn into a full-fledged cheese maker. It's easy, starts with a nice simple base, and you've got great options for modifying the consistency of the final product. Fantastic stuff, and you've made it so wonderfully easy to understand. Thanks, and cheers!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Stine Mari says

      March 11, 2020 at 4:36 am

      I've been thinking about making my own labneh cheese for a long time, but haven't tried it yet. Next time I'm making Middle Eastern food I'll have this next to it, yum! How long did you have your cheese in the fridge before eating it? Your consistency looks perfect to me.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Gloria says

      March 10, 2020 at 5:43 am

      I have never heard of this. I am a cheese lover. This looks like a fun experiment for the weekend. I know the end result will be totally delicious.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Kacey Perez says

      March 05, 2020 at 12:40 pm

      This looks spectacular! This is something that I have never tried before, and I am always up for trying something new. Love these photos too by the way!

      Reply
    8. Mary Bostow says

      March 02, 2020 at 12:19 pm

      I've never heard of this cheese before! I need to make this, thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
    9. Veronika says

      February 28, 2020 at 12:28 pm

      Wow! I've never tried this type of cheese before but it looks delicious! The best part is it's homemade!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Tammy says

      February 28, 2020 at 11:02 am

      I've never had Greek yogurt this way but I think its a fabulous idea to enjoy as a savory spread! Love how you made it into cheese...I've never done this myself but I'd love to give it a try!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. LaKita says

      February 28, 2020 at 8:06 am

      This Labneh Cheese looks so creamy, smooth, and delicious! I would love to add this to a cheese board as an option. Love how simple it is to make!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Nicoletta and Loreto says

      February 28, 2020 at 1:19 am

      We make labneh too! It's just too delicious and pretty easy not to. Thanks for making it so easy to follow! It looks beautiful!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Bernice Hill says

      February 25, 2020 at 6:01 pm

      Making cheese is such an exercise in patience but the process is so worth it. I've done it a few times but have never tried labneh. Now, it's going on the list!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    14. Chef Dennis says

      February 25, 2020 at 12:50 am

      This Labneh Cheese sounds sooo yummy to have! I never really thought much about this. And I love that it's smooth and creamy!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    15. Pam Greer says

      February 24, 2020 at 2:41 pm

      Wow I had no idea it was so easy to make labneh!! I love it and have such a hard time finding it in the stores! Thrilled that I can make my own!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Elaine says

      February 24, 2020 at 2:38 pm

      Now this is what a great cheese recipe should be - quick, only a few ingredients and so easy to follow - perfect!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    17. Donny says

      February 20, 2020 at 3:39 pm

      I can't wait to try this. Thanks for all the photos!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    18. Jean Choi says

      February 18, 2020 at 7:11 pm

      So thick and amazing!! Can't wait to put this on everything

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    19. Kelly says

      February 18, 2020 at 4:46 pm

      This is going to be so good spread on crackers or in a sandwich!

      Reply
    20. ChihYu says

      February 18, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      Thank you for this easy and delicious recipe! It would be lovely on a cheese board!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kushigalu says

        February 29, 2020 at 10:48 am

        Great recipe to try. Thanks for sharing all the tips and tricks to make cheese!

        ★★★★★

        Reply

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