Jordanian food is built for sharing. The best-known dish is mansaf, lamb served on rice and flatbread with a tangy dried yogurt sauce. Other favorites include rice dishes, stews, and fresh bread baked for the table.

Lamb, rice, bulgur, yogurt, olive oil and warm spices are the base. Compared with Lebanese food, Jordanian meals are often heartier and less focused on small plates. They share dishes with Palestinian and Syrian cooking, but the yogurt sauce in mansaf is a special mark.

Questions folks ask

What is mansaf?

Mansaf is lamb cooked in a tangy yogurt sauce and served over rice and bread, often for special gatherings.

Is Jordanian food similar to Palestinian food?

Yes, they share many dishes like maqluba. Each has its own touches and favorites.

Can I use chicken instead of lamb?

Yes, chicken works in many dishes. Cooking times will be shorter.

Kitchen tips

Cook lamb slowly until it is very tender.
Stir yogurt sauce in one direction and keep it from boiling hard.
Toast nuts for the top just before serving.
Layer bread, rice and meat on a large platter.
Add a simple salad to balance a rich meal.