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5 from 5 votes

Beef Kafta Kebabs

Lebanese-inspired Beef Kafta is a household favorite! Onions, fresh parsley, and tons of spices make the Kafta kabob tender and flavorful. Grill them indoors or outdoors and serve them with vermicelli rice and lots of sauce!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Beef
Calories: 274kcal
Author: Marzia

Ingredients

  • 1 pound 90% lean ground beef (or lamb)
  • 1 cup parsley lightly packed
  • 1 yellow onion quartered
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 teaspoons ground sumac
  • 1 teaspoon EACH: kosher salt AND allspice
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon EACH: white pepper cinnamon, AND ground cloves
  • teaspoon EACH: cayenne pepper ground cardamom AND ground nutmeg

Instructions

  • PROCESS: In the bowl of a food processor, add the parsley, onions, garlic, and pulse until they break down into small pieces. Place this mixture in a sieve to drain any excess liquid then press down with a silicone spatula to make sure you get most of it; set aside for now.
  • PULSE: Add the ground beef and all the seasonings to the bowl of the food processor and pulse long enough to combine before adding the drained onions mixture. Run the food processor, long pulsing 4-6 more times until the meat and onions mixture is combined. The meat will be slightly pasty and that’s perfect! You need it to be that way so it binds.
  • SHAPE: Transfer the kafta mixture to a bowl. You can form the oblong kafta shapes on a wooden/metal skewer or freehand them by turning them into oblong patties; Place the kafta on a clean plate and continue shaping the remaining meat. I make about 10 pieces total.
  • COOK: Heat an indoor grill pan or an outdoor grill (see notes) over medium heat. When hot, spray the grates with a high heat oil and place the kafta on the grill. Grill or 8-10 minutes total, flipping the kafta halfway through until cooked to your liking. Serve warm with Shirazi salad and Lebanese rice pilaf or in pitas with homemade toum!

Notes

  • Shaped Kofta: can be placed on a freezer paper-lined baking sheet and flash frozen. Simply transfer them to a zip-top bag afterward. I stick to grilling these on an outdoor grill and do so from frozen!

Nutrition

Serving: 1/5 | Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 16g
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