Baked Kibbeh [Recipe + Video] The Tastiest Kipe Horneado (2024)

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En Español Recipe ↆ Video ↆ

Kipe horneado (baked kibbeh) is a lesser-known version of the Middle-Eastern fried kibbeh. And, while our version of the fried one is more popular in our country, baked kipe is closer to the Lebanese version, lighter, flavorful, and much easier to make for beginners.

By Clara Gonzalez - Last reviewed Jan 22, 2024. Published Jun 16, 2014

Baked Kibbeh [Recipe + Video] The Tastiest Kipe Horneado (1)

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Why we ❤️ it

Nearly two centuries ago a wave of immigrants from the former Ottoman Empire found its way to our country, bringing bits and pieces of their rich cuisines. The most popular of these contributions to our heritage is kipe, the Dominicanized Kibbeh.

The most common version of kibbeh in our country is the fried, bullet-shaped one. But the fact that I have been asked many times to include this one in our recipe collection tells you that the love for the flavorful, simpler baked kibbeh has not been lost.

What's kipe horneado?

You can find kibbeh from Northern Africa to the Middle East, and everywhere their people have emigrated to, which includes most of Latin America. Dominican families with Middle Eastern ancestors still make these dishes closer to the original version, including baked kibbeh.

Let me quote the wonderful cookbook Jerusalem [Amazon paid affiliate link] by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi.

Kibbeh, kubbeh, or kokeba all mean "the shape of a ball" in Arabic. Indeed, this is how they started. [...] For generations of Jewish and Arab Women being able to make nice kubbeh was considered oneof the basic requirements of a "good" domesticatedwoman; a test of their refinement and elegance. A less arduous version--why hasn't anyone told the poor women--is kibbeh b'siniyah, where the casing and the filling are layered in a dish to form a pie.

Learn more

Middle Eastern dishes and culture in Dominican gastronomy

Baked Kibbeh [Recipe + Video] The Tastiest Kipe Horneado (2)

Baked Kibbeh [Recipe + Video] The Tastiest Kipe Horneado (3)

Baked kipe (kibbeh).

Serving suggestions

Quipe horneado is perfect as a picadera (appetizer), but you can also serve it as a main dish, alongside some salad.

Top tips

Bulgur: This is sometimes sold under the nameCoarse Bulgur Wheat[Amazon paid affiliate link]. It would not be hard to find in Middle Eastern and Latino communities.
Food processor: Many recipes for baked kibbeh call for a food processor. I am a fan of food processors, but I wanted something more "accessible" for the beginner cook, and I also love the texture of the "whole" bulgur. This worked just perfectly for me.

About our recipe

But how does a Dominican with no discernible Middle Eastern heritage write the "right" recipe amongst thousands of versions of a dish of disputed provenance? The same way I do with every other recipe here: I make them the way I like them, and cross my fingers you'll like them too.

To be honest, I didn't find making this dish that much easier than the traditional fried kibbeh, perhaps because I have made the other one many times, and can make them in the right shape with my eyes closed (exaggeration warning here!). But you'll be surprised if you think this kibbeh is any less flavorful or has anything to envy the other one. This one has an even more complex mixture of flavors and textures. And I would take it any day over the fried ones.

Notice also that Middle-Eastern kibbeh is made from lamb, a meat that is noticeably absent from Dominican cuisine. I have found that, as a general rule, Dominicans dislike lamb and prefer its cousin, chivo (goat). The Dominican kibbeh is made with beef.

Buen provecho!

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Recipe

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Quipe or Kipe Horneado [Recipe + Video] Baked Kibbeh

By: Clara Gonzalez

Baked kibbeh (baked kipe) is lighter than fried ones, I find baked kipe just as flavorful and moist, not to mention easier to make for beginners.

5 from 3 votes

Save for Later Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Latino, Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern

Servings 6 portions

Calories 413 kcal

Ingredients

▢ 2 cups bulgur, (see notes)
▢ 1 pound minced beef, [0.45 kg]
▢ 1 large red onion, minced finely
▢ 3 teaspoons salt, divided
▢ ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
▢ ⅛ teaspoon cumin seeds
▢ ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
▢ 2 large tomato, skinned, seeded and diced
▢ 6 tablespoon olive oil
▢ ⅓ cup raisins
▢ ⅓ cup pine nuts
▢ 4 tablespoon minced parsley

Instructions

1. Soak bulgur

Pour the bulgur into a bowl and add enough water to cover, let it rest for an hour.

2. Season the meat

In the meantime, mix the meat with onion, 1½ teaspoon of salt, and cayenne pepper. Mixed thoroughly using your hands.
Divide the meat into halves, and set aside half of it.
Add cumin seeds, cinnamon, and tomatoes to the half you will work with to make the filling.

3. Cook the meat

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the meat for the filling and quickly stir. Simmer, occasionally stirring, until the meat has cooked through and the liquids have evaporated. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Remove from the heat and mix in raisin, pine nuts and parsley. Cool to room temperature.

4. Make the crust

Once the hour has passed, use a sieve to drain any water that wasn't absorbed, pressing down to remove any excess water. Pour the bulgur into a large bowl.
Mix the uncooked meat you had reserved with the bulgur, doing a kneading motion with your hands. It should be mixed well enough that it retains its shaped when you press on it.

5. Assemble the casserole

Pour 2 tablespoons of oil on the bottom of a 7 x 10½ inches [18 x 27 cm] baking pan. Spoon in half the bulgur and meat mixture and press down with your hands to obtain an even, compact layer.
Cover with the cooked filling, pressing down to make an even layer.
Cover with the remaining bulgur mixture and press down to make a compact, even layer. Score deeply with a knife in a diamond pattern about 2½ x 2½ inches [7 x 7 cm]. Pour remaining oil on top.

6. Cook the casserole

Bake in oven preheated to 400 ºF [200 ºC], for 40 minutes or until top is golden brown.

7. Serve

Remove from the oven and cool for a few minutes before serving.
See above the recipe for serving suggestions.

Nutrition

Calories: 413kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 27gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 1813mgPotassium: 722mgFiber: 10gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 415IUVitamin C: 8.2mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 4.5mg

Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.

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More bulgur recipes

Bulgur wheat features in several of our traditional recipes; check out our bulgur wheat recipes, like this baked vegan kibbeh. Also enjoy our popular Quipe, Tipili salad, Locrio de trigo (bulgur with sausage), and Trigo con leche, a dessert.

¡Hola 👋! Thanks for visiting.I'm Tía Clara, your Internet 🇩🇴 Auntie and hostess.

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