Kafta Kebabs Recipe
Introduction
Kafta kebabs are flavorful Middle Eastern grilled meat skewers that combine ground beef with fresh herbs and aromatic spices. This quick and easy recipe yields juicy kebabs perfect for a weeknight dinner or weekend BBQ.
Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow onion (quartered)
- 1 cup fresh parsley (washed and patted dry)
- 600 grams ground beef (lean)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon seven spice (pre-mixed spice blend)
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne (more to taste)
Instructions
- Step 1: In the bowl of your food processor, add the quartered onion and fresh parsley. Pulse the ingredients until finely chopped.
- Step 2: Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the ground beef and all the spices. Using your hands, mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Step 3: Take a portion of the meat mixture and mold it around a skewer, forming a log about 1 to 1½ inches thick. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Step 4: Preheat your grill—charcoal or gas. For gas grills, set to medium-high heat and brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 4 minutes on one side.
- Step 5: Flip the kebabs and cook the other side for another 4 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked through.
- Step 6: Remove from the grill and serve immediately while hot and juicy.
Tips & Variations
- Soaking wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling prevents them from burning.
- Add a small amount of finely chopped garlic for extra flavor.
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Serve with warm pita, tahini sauce, and fresh salad to complement the kebabs.
Storage
Store leftover cooked kebabs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven to preserve juiciness. Uncooked kebab mixture can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before grilling.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make kafta kebabs without a food processor?
Yes, you can finely chop the onion and parsley by hand, though it will take more time and effort to achieve the same texture.
What is seven spice blend?
Seven spice is a Middle Eastern mixture typically including cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, and cloves. It adds warm, complex flavors to the kebabs.
Print
Kafta Kebabs Recipe
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
Description
This Kafta Kebabs recipe features a delicious Middle Eastern-style grilled beef dish, infused with fresh parsley, onion, and aromatic spices. Perfectly spiced and grilled to juicy perfection, these kebabs make for a flavorful and satisfying meal that is quick to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Kafta Mixture
- 1 medium yellow onion (quartered)
- 1 cup fresh parsley (washed and patted dry)
- 600 grams ground beef (lean)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon seven spice (pre-mixed spice blend)
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (more to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the parsley and onion: In the bowl of your food processor, add quartered onion and fresh parsley. Pulse the ingredients until they are finely chopped to release maximum flavor and create a uniform mixture.
- Mix the meat and spices: Transfer the finely chopped parsley and onion to a large mixing bowl with the ground beef. Add salt, black pepper, seven spice, and cayenne pepper. Thoroughly mix everything together using your hands to evenly distribute the spices and herbs throughout the meat.
- Form the kebabs: Take portions of the meat mixture and mold them firmly around skewers. The shaped meat should be about 1 to 1.5 inches thick surrounding each skewer to ensure even cooking and a juicy interior.
- Preheat the grill: Prepare your charcoal or gas grill. If using a gas grill, preheat it to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the kebabs: Place the prepared kafta skewers onto the hot grill. Cook for about 4 minutes on one side until nicely browned, then carefully turn and grill the other side for an additional 4 minutes or until the meat is thoroughly cooked and juices run clear.
- Serve: Once cooked through, remove the kebabs from the grill and serve immediately for best flavor and juiciness.
Notes
- For best results, use lean ground beef to avoid excessive flare-ups on the grill.
- You can soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling to prevent them from burning.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
- If you don’t have seven spice, a combination of ground cinnamon, allspice, and cloves can be used as a substitute.
- Serve with fresh pita bread, salads, or rice for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: Kafta Kebabs, Middle Eastern grilled beef, ground beef kebabs, grilled kafta, beef skewers, summer grilling, hearty kebabs, parsley kebabs
