How To Make Zaatar (Lebanese)

An authentic Lebanese Zaatar recipe. Zaatar is famous across all of the Middle East and has many culinary uses. You’ll learn how to make zaatar using this recipe from my Mother. A deliciously fragrant blend of dried herbs and toasted sesame seeds.

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Jump to:

• What is Zaatar?
• Why You’ll Love This
• Serving Suggestions
• 🌿Ingredients
• 🔪How to Make Zaatar
• ⭐Pro Tips
• ❓FAQ
• ⚙️Equipment used
• 🥄Related Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Community

What is Zaatar?

Zaatar is the Arabic word for wild thyme (hyssop) or it is also used (most commonly) to refer to a blend of herbs such as this recipe.

Zaatar across the Middle East will differ in blends, some will include spices. I have been fortunate to have tried many which are all lovely in their own right, but I keep coming back to the blend I grew up on.

Lebanese Zaatar is by far the most gorgeous herb blend. I just had to share my family’s recipe with you. 

Zaatar in English

Zaatar in English is pronounced as “zaa·tahrr” The “r” in “tahr” syllable is rolled. It can be used interchangeably for the herb hyssop or the blend of herbs.

Why You’ll Love This

• Learn how to make zaatar from scratch - (starting by picking the herbs from the garden!) Even if you don’t have these herbs in your garden, you still can buy these easy ingredients from your local grocer in the spices & herbs section and mix them all up yourself.
• Mixing your own blend tastes so good and is by far more aromatic and fresher than buying a store-bought blend.
• It has so many uses for all meals of the day
• Naturally vegan and gluten-free. Also corn, soy, dairy and nut-free.

Serving Suggestions

Zaatar can be eaten in many ways, such as;

• I love making it into zaatar pastry - these are guaranteed to be gobbled up
• In a marinade or rub
• In manoush  - this is the famous Lebanese herb pizza
• On toast for brekky - one of my go-to - you will need to blend it with olive oil beforehand to spread it out onto the bread (see below)
• Sprinkled in salads - I love it with a simple garden salad
• Try sprinkling it on popcorn for a savory treat
• Or have it blended in olive oil and serve with your favorite crusty bread.
• I use zaatar on a regular basis, it’s a fail-safe taste. I especially love it on roasted potatoes as a seasoning.

Here’s how to blend zaatar with EVOO (extra virgin olive oil).

• Always use extra virgin olive oil - you want the best tasting
• In a bowl, add zatar, EVOO and mix
• If the mixture is too runny, add more zatar
• If the mixture is too thick, add more olive oil
• You decide the amount that is right for you.

🌿Ingredients

Notes on some of the ingredients, the full list of ingredients and their measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Sesame seeds will be dry toasted in a pan (another recipe using sesame seeds is my addictive nut clusters)

Dried oregano which you can make from your garden, or as mentioned prior, you can use store-bought.

Two other scrumptious recipes using oregano include this Lebanese fresh oregano salad or this Lebanese oregano scrolls.

Dried sumac can be found at your local Middle Eastern grocer.

I am aware some areas it's hard or impossible to find sumac at your grocer. In this case, you can buy it online, like this 100% ground sumac (affiliate link)

Salt enhances the flavoring of the herbs and seeds.

🔪How to Make Zaatar

From scratch using fresh oregano leaves

Step 1 - Pick oregano and separate leaves from stalks

Step 2 - Wash leaves thoroughly and spin dry, ensuring all dampness is gone

Step 3 - Place oregano leave into a breathable cloth bag and hang in the sun until completely dry. Drying oregano can take between 5-10 days depending on weather conditions

Using store-bought dried herbs

Step 4 - Over med-high heat, dry toast sesame seeds until golden

Step 5 - Add dried oregano, sumac, and 1.5 teaspoons of salt, and stir over heat for about 5-10 minutes until all is combined

Step 6 - Allow zaatar blend to completely cool down to room temp before storing in airtight jars to avoid condensation

⭐Pro Tips

My mother uses an old basmati rice bag with a zipper to dry out her oregano in the sun, any calico or breathable bag will work, so long as it can be sealed

Store your homemade zaatar blend in your pantry for many months.

I always keep a ready-made jar blended with EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) in the pantry.

This way when I am in a rush or feel like some, I have it on hand which I can smear onto toast. Trust me Lebanese Zaatar on toast gets me salivating.

If you love a fresh hot herb beverage, steep the leftover oregano stalks in boiling hot water (add your preferred sweetener if needed)

If you prefer to buy a zaatar blend, try this one here (affiliate link) Whenever I am not able to make my own, I like the taste of this blend, and it’s proven to be of good quality using only ingredients I would use.

❓FAQ

⚙️Equipment used

• Sieve, measuring bowl, measuring cups (affiliate link) - I like using the nested Joseph Joseph collection as it's a set of bowls, colander, sieve and measuring cups all in one and it packs away smartly and saves space.
• Nonstick Pan - no oil is used in this recipe to make the zaatar blend
• Food processor - for grinding the dried oregano (if making it from scratch)

We love to spread it in our bread and feast on other amazing dishes such as zucchini flesh lib el koussa or haytaliyeh, olives, fresh vegetables & fruit, ful madames and more.

🥄Related Recipes

Did you enjoy learning how to make zaatar? I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below and give me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating.

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📖 Recipe