Cedar Mezze is a beautiful Lebanese-style sharing platter inspired by the flavors, colors, and hospitality of Lebanon. The name evokes Lebanon's famous cedar trees and the country's long tradition of bringing family and friends together around a generous table of small dishes.

A Cedar Mezze spread combines creamy dips, fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, olives, pickles, warm pita, salads, and savory bites. It can be served as an appetizer course or expanded into a complete meal.

What Is Cedar Mezze?

Cedar Mezze is not one fixed traditional recipe with a single ingredient list. Rather, it is a Lebanese-inspired assortment of mezze dishes arranged together as a generous communal spread.

The platter can include classics such as:

  • Hummus
  • Baba ghanoush
  • Labneh
  • Tabbouleh
  • Fattoush
  • Olives
  • Pickled vegetables
  • Fresh vegetables
  • Falafel
  • Stuffed grape leaves
  • Kibbeh
  • Sambousek
  • Warm pita bread

The goal is to create a balance of creamy, fresh, smoky, tangy, salty, crunchy, and savory flavors.

Why You'll Love Cedar Mezze

  • Full of classic Lebanese flavors
  • Perfect for sharing
  • Colorful and attractive on the table
  • Easy to customize
  • Excellent for vegetarian guests
  • Suitable for parties and family gatherings
  • Many components can be prepared ahead
  • Can be served as an appetizer or complete meal

Ingredients

Hummus

  • 1½ cups cooked chickpeas
  • ¼ cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2–3 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

Baba Ghanoush

  • 2 medium eggplants
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Chopped parsley

Labneh

  • 2 cups thick plain yogurt
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Olive oil
  • Za'atar or dried mint

Tabbouleh

  • 1 large bunch parsley
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint
  • 2 medium tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons fine bulgur
  • 2 green onions
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt to taste

Fresh and Pickled Ingredients

  • Cucumbers
  • Radishes
  • Tomatoes
  • Green peppers
  • Green olives
  • Black olives
  • Pickled turnips
  • Pickled cucumbers
  • Pickled peppers
  • Fresh mint
  • Fresh parsley

Bread

  • Lebanese pita bread

Optional Savory Additions

  • Falafel
  • Kibbeh
  • Cheese sambousek
  • Meat sambousek
  • Stuffed grape leaves
  • Grilled halloumi
  • Fried cauliflower
  • Spiced potatoes
  • Kafta
  • Grilled chicken

How to Make Cedar Mezze

Step 1: Make the Hummus

Add chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, cumin, and olive oil to a food processor.

Blend until smooth.

Add cold water gradually while blending until the hummus becomes light and creamy.

Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Transfer to a shallow bowl and create a decorative swirl with the back of a spoon. Drizzle with olive oil.

Step 2: Prepare the Baba Ghanoush

Roast or grill the eggplants until the skins are charred and the flesh becomes very soft.

Allow the eggplants to cool slightly before removing the skins.

Drain excess liquid and place the flesh in a bowl.

Add tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and olive oil.

Mash until creamy but retain a little texture for a rustic presentation.

Garnish with parsley and olive oil.

Step 3: Prepare the Labneh

Mix the yogurt with salt.

For thicker labneh, place it in a cheesecloth-lined strainer and allow it to drain in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

Spread the labneh into a small serving bowl.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with za'atar or dried mint.

Step 4: Prepare the Tabbouleh

Wash and dry the parsley and mint thoroughly.

Finely chop the herbs, tomatoes, and green onions.

Add the bulgur and mix.

Season with lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.

Let the salad rest briefly before serving so the flavors can develop.

Tabbouleh should remain fresh and herb-heavy rather than becoming overly wet.

Step 5: Prepare the Fresh Vegetables

Slice the cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, and peppers.

Arrange them in small groups around the platter.

Keep the vegetables colorful and varied to create a vibrant presentation.

Step 6: Add Olives and Pickles

Place green and black olives in small bowls or directly on the platter.

Add pickled turnips, cucumbers, and peppers.

The acidity and saltiness of the pickles help balance the creamy dips.

Step 7: Prepare Optional Mezze

If you're creating a larger Cedar Mezze, prepare falafel, kibbeh, sambousek, stuffed grape leaves, or grilled halloumi.

Serve fried foods while still warm so they retain their texture.

Step 8: Warm the Pita

Warm the pita bread just before serving.

Cut it into wedges or place whole pieces in a lined bread basket.

Fresh warm pita is ideal for dipping into hummus, labneh, and baba ghanoush.

How to Arrange Cedar Mezze

For an impressive presentation, use a large round serving platter or several smaller plates arranged across the table.

Place hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh in separate bowls.

Arrange tabbouleh in another bowl and fill the remaining spaces with vegetables, olives, and pickles.

Place warm pita bread around the outside of the platter or in a separate basket.

For a larger gathering, add warm savory dishes around the edges.

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Creating a Cedar-Inspired Presentation

Since the name Cedar Mezze is inspired by Lebanon's cedar heritage, you can give the table a rustic Lebanese appearance without making the food overly decorative.

Use natural serving boards, ceramic bowls, wooden dishes, fresh herbs, and warm bread.

Arrange parsley and mint around the dishes to create a fresh green appearance.

You can also place small sprigs of fresh herbs around the platter for a simple natural centerpiece.

Vegetarian Cedar Mezze

A vegetarian Cedar Mezze can be especially generous.

Include:

  • Hummus
  • Baba ghanoush
  • Labneh
  • Tabbouleh
  • Fattoush
  • Falafel
  • Stuffed grape leaves
  • Grilled halloumi
  • Olives
  • Pickles
  • Fresh vegetables
  • Pita bread

This combination provides plenty of variety without requiring meat.

Meat-Lovers' Cedar Mezze

For a heartier version, add Lebanese grilled dishes.

Good choices include:

  • Kafta
  • Grilled chicken
  • Lamb skewers
  • Kibbeh
  • Meat sambousek

Keep the meat dishes on separate plates so the fresh mezze remains light and refreshing.

Tips for the Best Cedar Mezze

Use Quality Tahini

Good tahini gives hummus and baba ghanoush a smooth, nutty flavor.

Don't Skip the Lemon

Fresh lemon juice adds brightness to creamy dips and salads.

Use Plenty of Herbs

Parsley and mint are essential for creating the fresh character associated with Lebanese mezze.

Balance the Platter

Try to include:

  • Creamy dips
  • Fresh vegetables
  • Pickles
  • Olives
  • Fresh salads
  • Warm bread
  • Savory bites

This creates a much more interesting eating experience than serving several similar dishes.

Serve Family-Style

Place the food in the middle of the table and encourage everyone to share. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of Lebanese-style dining.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated.

Vegetables can be washed and prepared several hours before serving.

Olives and pickles require very little preparation.

Tabbouleh is best prepared relatively close to serving time.

Warm pita and fried or grilled foods just before the meal.

What to Serve With Cedar Mezze

For a complete Lebanese dinner, serve Cedar Mezze with:

  • Grilled chicken
  • Kafta
  • Lamb skewers
  • Lebanese rice
  • Fattoush
  • Grilled vegetables
  • Manakish

For dessert, serve:

  • Baklava
  • Maamoul
  • Lebanese rice pudding
  • Semolina cake
  • Orange blossom cake
  • Fresh fruit

Arabic coffee or mint tea makes a wonderful finishing drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cedar Mezze a traditional Lebanese dish?

Cedar Mezze is best understood as a Lebanese-inspired mezze presentation rather than one standardized traditional dish. The individual foods included are common Lebanese and Levantine mezze favorites.

How many people can this platter serve?

A medium spread can serve approximately 4–6 people as an appetizer. For a complete meal, increase the quantities and add several substantial dishes.

Can Cedar Mezze be vegetarian?

Yes. Hummus, baba ghanoush, labneh, tabbouleh, falafel, vegetables, olives, pickles, and stuffed grape leaves make an excellent vegetarian spread.

Can I prepare it for a party?

Yes. Most dips and several other components can be prepared ahead, making mezze an excellent choice for entertaining.

What bread goes best with Cedar Mezze?

Warm Lebanese pita is the classic choice. It can be cut into wedges for dipping or served whole for guests to tear apart.

Final Thoughts

Cedar Mezze brings together the fresh, colorful, and generous character of Lebanese cuisine in one beautiful sharing spread. Creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, tangy labneh, herb-filled tabbouleh, crisp vegetables, olives, pickles, and warm pita create a balanced table that everyone can enjoy.

Whether you're preparing a small family meal or a large celebration, the platter can be adapted to suit the occasion. Keep it simple with dips and vegetables, or make it more substantial with falafel, kibbeh, sambousek, grilled meats, and other Lebanese favorites.