Kibe As a Brazilian Food

It is said Kibe was brought to Brazil by Syrian-Lebanese immigrants at the turn of the 19th century. Kibe is now a staple in Brazil, and considered a household dish. Basically, it is a mixture of ground beef, herbs, spices, and bulgur wheat, which funny enough in Brazil is sold as “wheat for Kibe.”

At almost every bar and as a street food, you will find Kibe snacks, lovely little two-bite pieces of deep fried deliciousness. In Carioca homes, we make them as a “Kibe Tray,” a healthier take, but equally loved and very common as a family dinner.

Our love for Kibe and Esfihas, another Middle Eastern snack that is embedded in our food culture, shows in the success of Habib’s, a Brazilian fast food chain dedicated to this cuisine. According to Wikipedia, Habib’s is currently the biggest middle eastern fast-food franchise in the world and the third biggest fast-food company in Brazil.

My version of Kibe is pretty classic. I go heavier on herbs because I like the freshness they give, and the basting of oil and lemon seems to do the trick to keep Kibe from getting dry. I like to serve it with a green salad with a tzatziki dressing, and a classic cup of “caldo de feijao” for a soul-filling meal.