Food is one of the most important aspects of any culture. Cultures are defined by their cuisine, so it’s no surprise that Lebanese and Greek dishes are both known for being healthy and delicious.
There are many similarities between the two cuisines, but there are also some differences, too. Which cuisine do you think is better?
Whether you’re looking for a new dish to try or just want to find out what makes each country’s food special, this post will help you decide which cuisine you prefer.
Greek Food vs Lebanese Food: What’s the Difference?
One thing that sets Greek food apart from Lebanese food is bread. Traditional Lebanese bread is made with a mixture of whole wheat and white flour, while Greek bread uses only white flour. This difference makes Greek bread lighter and fluffier.
Lebanese dishes also typically include rice or pasta as the main ingredient, which you don’t usually see in Greek dishes.
Greek dishes are traditionally composed of meat and vegetables, whereas Lebanese dishes typically include meat and rice as main ingredients.
Lebanese dishes can be served as a main dish or as a side dish to accompany grilled meats or other foods on the table.
Greek food also has more variety than Lebanese food because of its geographical location near the Mediterranean Sea.
As a result, you’ll find more seafood on a typical menu in Greece than you would in Lebanon.
Both cuisines have excellent vegetarian options, but it is easier to find vegetarian meals in Lebanon because many Lebanese dishes are already naturally vegetarian-friendly by default due to the use of grains like rice and chickpeas for protein.
Lebanese Food
Lebanese dishes are typically made of meat, rice, and vegetables. Lebanese food is very light and healthy. One of the most well-known Lebanese dishes is hummus. Hummus is a dish made from chickpeas and tahini (sesame paste) that has a consistency similar to mashed potatoes.
It’s served with pita bread or veggies for dipping. Another popular Lebanese dish is tabouli which is made up of cold cooked bulgar wheat noodles, parsley, tomato, onion, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Another popular Lebanese dish that has been adopted by other cultures is the shawarma sandwich. This sandwich includes thin slices of marinated lamb or beef that are stacked on top of each other in layers before being grilled vertically on an open flame to create a cone shape.
The cone-shaped meat can then be stuffed in pita bread with garlic sauce or placed on a plate with french fries or salad to create the perfect meal!
Similarities and Differences Between the Cuisines
Both Lebanese and Greek cuisines are popular for being healthy. They also use ingredients with a lot of flavor. However, they have different approaches to cooking, too.
Greek cuisine is known for being heavy on meat and cheese, while Lebanese food is lighter. Olive oil is the main ingredient in both cuisines, but Lebanese dishes are more likely to contain dairy or egg. And while Lebanese food may have meat in it, it’s not the star of the dish – vegetables are usually the main focus.
Lebanese dishes are often considered healthier because they typically only have one type of protein per dish. While many Greek dishes include lamb or beef, many Lebanese ones include chickpeas or lentils as their meat substitute. Plus, most dishes don’t have any dairy added in.
Greek food is also known for being a bit spicier than Lebanese food. One example of this difference would be that a traditional Greek dish might have a spicy tomato sauce served over pasta with feta cheese and olives on top while a typical Lebanese dish might be served with white rice and vegetables cooked in tomato sauce without any spice at all!
Conclusion
No matter which cuisine you prefer, both are unique and offer their own distinct flavors. Lebanese food is often spicier than Greek food but they both have their own distinctions. If you’re looking for good Mediterranean food, both cuisines are worth exploring!