This easy Fatteh recipe is so savory, fresh, nutty, and crunchy. Enjoy a delicious combination of Latin & Levantine culture!
Fatteh is a Levantine dish that is a party of flavors and textures in every bite. So savory, refreshing, nutty, crunchy, and filling.
This recipe is inspired by the classic fatteh from my husband’s village in Lebanon. One day I experimented using Latin seasonings. It paired deliciously with the garlic-infused yogurt and the toasted nuts.
I will show you how I make this easy fatteh recipe with Latin seasonings or ‘Fatteh con Sazón’. Follow these instructions and you will have a delicious dish (…or meal) inspired by Levantine & Latin culture.
What is Fatteh?
Fatteh is a savory Levantine side dish that is made with chickpeas, garlic-flavored yogurt, seasoned meat, pita chips, and toasted nuts. Traditionally, it is known as a dish of the people, as it typically combines all the ‘leftover’ ingredients that you’d find in a Levantine kitchen.
It is savory, tasty, and filling, complete with an explosion of textures. You get the satisfying crunch from the pita chips & nuts, then the refreshing splash from the yogurt, and then the soft chew from the ground beef and chickpeas.
Top it off with delicious seasonings, beef fat, garlic-infused yogurt, and the toasted nuts. Imagine all of that in one bite. It’s wonderful🥹
What is Fatteh made of?
- Crispy pita chips (baked or fried)
- Canned chickpeas
- Ground beef (extra lean or lean)
- Plain yogurt (2% is recommended)
- Toasted pine nuts and slivered almonds
- Sazón Goya or alternative Latin seasoning (listed in next section)
- Garlic powder
- Salt & pepper
- Paprika powder (optional for garnish)
There are many variations that exist, especially recipes that use ground chicken. This recipe uses lean ground beef. The beef and its fats infuse beautifully with the garlicky-yogurt mixture and crunchy pita chips.
How to season Fatteh
The ground beef seasoning is what can take your fatteh recipe to a whole other level.
Traditionally, the meat is seasoned with cumin, salt, and pepper at a minimum. It is simple and allows the garlic-infused yogurt to shine through. You can also season with Arabic 7 spice blend.
In this recipe, I use Sazón Goya – a popular Latin seasoning that comes in a ~1 tbsp packet. It is very versatile and delicious in many dishes (I use it in soups, rice, BBQ corn, and more).
Typically Latin seasonings (including Sazón Goya) contain salt, garlic, cumin, coriander, and a ‘coloring’ spice such as ground annatto, turmeric, and/or saffron. Add that to your ground beef while cooking and it will make your fatteh so tasty!
If you don’t have Sazón Goya handy, I have provided an alternative ‘copycat’ seasoning recipe below and in the recipe card notes. It won’t taste exactly like the packet, but it will still carry a very similar, delicious punch. It is also an alternative if you want to steer clear of additional coloring agents and MSG that comes in Sazón Goya.
Alternative Latin Seasoning recipe:
- ½ tsp of each: cumin, coriander, oregano, garlic pepper
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- ⅛ tsp of each: salt, paprika, black pepper
How to make Fatteh
Here is how I make it:
Then layer all ingredients in a 9-inch pie dish or shallow baking dish, in the following order: yogurt & chickpeas mix, pita chips, meat, and toasted nuts.
Garnish with a dash of paprika and enjoy immediately!
Tips on how to make the best Fatteh con Sazon
🍳 Drain excess fat from ground beef. A little fat will add a lot of flavor but too much fat can overpower the taste and texture of your dish. This is why I recommend using lean or extra lean ground beef.
🌡 Consume while the beef is warm. If it has cooled down, warm it up before placing it on the dish.
❔No Sazon Goya? No problem! Use this homemade Latin seasoning recipe instead: ½ tsp each of coriander, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano; ¼ tsp turmeric; and ⅛ tsp each of salt, black pepper, and paprika.
🕘 Use a shallow baking dish with a lid for easy storage of any left overs.
