Labneh Sandwich Recipe: 5 Classic Middle Eastern Toppings

The labneh sandwich recipe is a Middle Eastern classic: yogurt cheese spread over a thin lavash flatbread, layered with fresh vegetables and spices, drizzled with olive oil, and rolled up. It is healthy, vegetarian, and genuinely filling — with infused olive oil as an optional addition for cannabis consumers. If you have never tried labneh before, this sandwich is the perfect introduction.

What Is Labneh?

Labneh (also spelled labne or labaneh) is a yogurt cheese made by straining full-fat yogurt through cheesecloth or a fine mesh to remove the whey. The result is a thick, tangy, spreadable cheese with a consistency somewhere between cream cheese and Greek yogurt. You can find it at Middle Eastern grocery stores, or make it at home by mixing salt into whole-milk yogurt (cow or goat) and letting it drain in the fridge for 24–48 hours. For this labneh lavash sandwich, store-bought works perfectly.

Ingredients for the Labneh Sandwich Recipe

• Lavash or pita flatbread (lavash is thinner and rolls more easily)
• 3–4 tablespoons labneh (or full-fat Greek yogurt as a substitute)
• Spices (zaatar-style mix): oregano, thyme, cumin, sumac, red chili flakes
• Black olives (sliced)
• Cucumber (thinly sliced)
• Tomato (thinly sliced — black or heirloom varieties are excellent)
• Fresh mint leaves
• High-quality olive oil (infused or regular)
• Salt and black pepper
• Optional: chicken strips, bell peppers, or any salad vegetable

5 Classic Middle Eastern Toppings for This Recipe

The traditional labneh with sumac and mint filling includes five core toppings that define the flavor profile of this sandwich: