This cool and creamy yogurt sauce is perfect with grilled meats, salmon or as a side salad with a variety of Middle Eastern specialties such as grape leaves, tabbouleh or m’juddarah.
Cucumber laban holds a special place in my heart. Growing up, I remember watching my Aunt Paula make it in her kitchen before family dinners or holiday gatherings. She would test taste often to find the perfect balance of garlic, mint and lemon juice. Cool, creamy and refreshing, I can’t get enough of it.
To this day I am confident mine doesn’t taste as good as Aunt Paula’s which is funny because she never thinks hers tastes right either. Why is that?
Cucumber laban is traditionally served alongside Lebanese dishes such as Meat Stuffed Grape Leaves, M’Juddarah (lentils and bulgur with caramelized onions), Stuffed Kousa Squash or Sfeehas (meat pies). It is also great in a pita sandwich or on top of grilled salmon, chicken or pork.
Of course, you could always eat it plain in a big bowl which is my 20 month old son’s favorite way to eat it! He literally can’t get enough of it and has eaten it since he started with solids. To make it baby/toddler friendly, you can grate the cucumber so that it doesn’t require teeth. :)
When I served mine to my mom and aunts recently I was relieved when they said it tasted just like their Grandma Sito’s which is the best compliment you can get in our family.
Your fork is waiting.
- 2 cups plain low fat yogurt
- 2 cups cucumber finely chopped
- 1 juice of lemon
- 2 tablespoons dried mint
- 1 clove garlic grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
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Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well.
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Check for seasoning and add more lemon, garlic, mint or salt depending on your personal preference.
This recipe is naturally gluten free. Want more delicious gluten free recipe ideas? Join the discussion over at the Udi’s Gluten Free Community. It’s free and fun resource for all of your gluten free needs.
This is the bomb!
I’m so glad you love it!! We make it all the time!
LOVE this sauce!!!! Thank you for this recipe!!! This is so refreshing….creamy and good it’s hard to believe it’s healthy!
Im so glad you like it!
Is There Anything I Can Use Instead Of mint? I Can’t Find It At My Store
Hi Sylvia – Mint is really the key spice to make this Lebanese dish. You can order dried mint online (http://www.amazon.com/Castella-Mint-Leaf-Crushed/dp/B000LRH9J2/ref=sr_1_4?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1369240841&sr=1-4&keywords=dried+mint) OR try another type of yogurt sauce. The Greek version is delicious and made with fresh dill. It’s called Tzatziki and here’s the recipe: https://thelemonbowl.com/2013/02/greek-tzatziki-sauce-with-garlic-and-dill.html Another great dish is the Indian yogurt sauce called Raita made with cilantro: https://thelemonbowl.com/2010/08/cucumber-yogurt-raita.html
I hope that helps!
Thanks Liz, ignore my double post/question on the kafta recipe, sorry!
Very helpful, I have made your tzatziki before, super good!
Yay!! Another’s cuke recipe, and this ones right up my hubby’s alley! Reminds him of his aunt’s who are fabulous lenabese cooks.. Let see if I can wow him with this and use up my cukes at the same time!
It’s always great to have an aunt who makes delicious foods!!!
Thank you, Liz for the nice recipes and good information.
You are so sweet Liz – my pleasure!
I’m making vegetarian gyros today! I think I’ll add this in ^_^
Thanks for the recipe. :)
Oh goodness, I have got to make this soon it looks fantastic!
You would love this friend!! So flavorful!
Liz,
Looks very yummy–I think my way-more-than-20 month olds would prefer grated cukes too, as they are not cucumber fans, though they like cooling sides.
Thanks!
My grandmother used to make homemade Luban, so I decided to checkout this post. When I saw the link to Steehas it reminded me of her so I had to check it out. Love that your family gets together to make Lebanese food.. my favorite!! Any chance your Aunt would consider letting you post her Steehas recipe? They look very much like my grandmother’s and I would love to give them a try.
Linda we tried several variations that day and none of them were up to my aunt’s standards!!! I wish I knew. :(
I love your family food….I want to be a mouse in your pocket at your family gatherings!! deliciousness!
Girl you would fit right in with our group of loud, crazy women!!!
Thank you for the nice recipe. Have a great day!
Same to you Liz!
Fun! I didn’t even know something like this existed. I think my husband would love it! I’ll have to try it when we have a yogurt overload. :)
It’s so tasty!! Very similar to tzatziki or raita. We eat it on everything!
What a refreshing treat for summer!!
Wonder if it would taste good on my leftover general tsao’s? :) jk.
I love yogurt sauce! I make a similar version to eat with chickpea flatbread and grilled veggies. Fresh mint is a great addition!
Ummm….chickpea flat bread? I want that now!!
Oh, it’s delicious! You can make it super thin or thicker, add in fresh herbs, spinach, etc. Here’s where I got the recipe:
http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-socca-a-naturally-gluten-free-chickpea-flatbread-169513
Thank you so much!! I can’t wait to check it out!!
Yes, please. I love this and could literally eat a dollop on just about anything!
me too!! My son eats it almost daily!! I think the raw garlic is so good for you too.
Soooo…I feel like such a creeper, but I’ve totally been doing the plank challenge with you and just not saying anything…but OUCH. My abs are burning, and I love it! And, by the way, I love that I can eat this amazing dip and not worry that I just lost all of the hard work from the plank challenge ;)
haha That does not sound creeper at all! I’m thrilled!!! Yes I’m all about eating lots of food so that means it is usually healthy. :) Keep up the good work with the planks!!
This? On warm pita bread? Fuhgedduhboudit! I’m in love.
Oh dear – I need warm pita bread right now!!!
I bet it’s great as a sauce, but is it similar to the new Greek yogurt dips found now on store shelves? If so, I’m glad to have a homemade versions. Woop woop!
I actually haven’t tried those yet Nikki!! It’s a little bit less thick than Greek yogurt since I use regular yogurt but you could either a) let the yogurt strain through a cheese cloth for 45 minutes or b) use Greek yogurt instead. :) Regardless it’s addictive and extremely toddler friendly!
Soooo yeah, Liz… I pretty much want to dunk my face in that bowl. LOVE IT!
LOL me too! We make it weekly!!
Cucumbers and yogurt are a match made in heaven. I’d be pouring this all over my roasted veggies!
Love the idea of drizzling over roasted veggies!!! Good call!
Um, I want to dive head first into this sauce!! It would be my ultimate happy place!
Ummm…me too. You should see how my toddler eats it. :)
Wow, what a great looking sauce! I love cool, refreshing sauces like this on grilled meats in the summer…. nothing better! Thanks for sharing, Liz.
Same here – the yogurt is perfect for hot grilled meats for that very reason!! Enjoy!
My neighbors growing up were from Lebanon and their kitchen was always full of the best food!! It was fun trying authentic Lebanese food. Yum!
That’s too funny! I bet their house smelled like garlic like mine does most days. :)
This sauce looks so good. I must give it a try on grilled chicken!
Yes you will love it on grilled chicken!! Enjoy!
Love this tasty dish.
Let me know if you try it! I know you’ll love it. :)
Sounds fabulous! I wanna dip my veggies in this!
PERFECT for dipping veggies!!! Good idea. :) You can also grate/shred the cucumber to make it easier for dipping!
Similar to Tzatziki, which I love. You’re lucky to have such great family food memories.
Yes totally! It’s the Middle Eastern version of the Greek tzatziki or the Indian raita. Thank you Kalyn – I really am lucky. :-)
Yogurt sauce is a perfect side for so many wonderful dishes (many of which you named). And like your little guy I could also eat it with a spoon! Might just have to hit up the local Lebanese joint for lunch now.
It really is isn’t it??? I go through a large container of plain yogurt every week for this very reason!
I’ll be the first to comment and say that I love this sauce!! We put it on everything…I also grew up eating it and am so happy you shared this recipe!
I thought of you when I wrote this post!!! I love that at least one person loves this recipe as much as I do!!