Vegan Lebanese Stuffed Foods

Lebanese cuisine is renowned for its rich flavors through the use of diverse ingredients. One fun aspect of Lebanese food is the art of stuffing, where a variety of vegetables are skillfully filled with aromatic fillings made with grains, herbs and spices. In this article, you'll find some delicious vegan Lebanese stuffed foods, that I've adapted from my Lebanese family's recipes cookbook.

What Are Vegan Lebanese Stuffed Foods?

Vegan Lebanese stuffed foods are meals made out of plant-based ingredients.

There is no use of any type of animal products such as butter, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy or similar.

These foods are still referred to as "mahshi" in Arabic, or vegan mahshi.

What Is The Meaning of Mahshi?

The Arabic word "mahshi" translates to "stuffed" or "filled", therefore in the context of food, it refers to any type of edible vessel that has been filled or stuffed with a form of stuffing.

Stuffing is known as "hashweh" in Arabic.

Vegan Lebanese Stuffed Food Recipes

warak enab in a white plate with one open showing the filling

Warek Enab

Tender grape leaves filled with a rice, veggie and herb filling. The little parcel rolls are then simmered in a lemon broth resulting in a mouthwatering dish.

Vegan Lebanese Grape Leaves

two cooked long eggplants in a red broth in a white plate

Batinjan Mahshi

Lebanese vegan stuffed eggplant, aka "batinjan mahshi," involves hollowing out each eggplant and filling it with a mixture of vegetables and rice. The stuffed eggplants are then gently simmered in a tomato broth on the stovetop until tender.

Vegan Lebanese Stuffed Eggplant

red, yellow and green capsicums stuffed with rice and lentils in a glass dish

Mahshi Flayfleh

Deliciously wholesome, these stuffed bell peppers are filled with rice, lentils, herbs and veggies, and then baked in a herbed tomato sauce. A fun way to cook bell peppers.

Vegan Lebanese Stuffed Bell Peppers

stuffed silverbeet rolls on a white plate with a spoon

Mahshi Selek

This hearty meal of rolled Swiss chard leaves filled with rice, herbs and vegetables, simmered in a lemony broth is one of my favorite ways to enjoy chard.

Stuffed Vegan Lebanese Swiss Chard Leaves

Kousa mashi in a white plate with a spoon

Mahshi Kousa

A "healthier" rendition of Kousa mahshi, also known as Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini. Every zucchini squash is packed with seasoned vegetables, toasted pine nuts, and rice cooked in a delightful tomato broth.

Vegan Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini

Mahshi Malfouf

Lebanese malfouf is cabbage roll filled with rice, diced tomatoes, and herbs. These are then simmered in a delectably tangy mint, pomegranate molasses-infused broth.

Vegan Lebanese Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

FAQ

What is Middle Eastern Stuffing Made Of?

Middle Eastern stuffing, aka, hashweh, typically consists of a foundation of rice or similar grains like bulgur or barley.
This base is combined with a variety of ingredients such as finely diced or shredded vegetables, toasted nuts, dried fruits like raisins, and an abundance of herbs, both dried and fresh.
It's worth noting that certain Middle Eastern stuffings may also incorporate meat into the mix.
Different Middle Eastern regions will contain different ingredients.

You might also be interested in delicious vegan desserts from Lebanon.

Which one of the above vegan Lebanese stuffed foods recipes caught your attention? I'd love to know! Leave me a comment below with or tag @plantbasedfolk on social media.

Vegan Lebanese Stuffed Foods

What Are Vegan Lebanese Stuffed Foods?

What Is The Meaning of Mahshi?