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Kafta Kebabs Recipe

4.9 from 68 reviews

Kafta Kebabs are flavorful Middle Eastern grilled skewers made from a mixture of ground beef, fresh parsley, onions, and aromatic spices. Perfectly seasoned and quickly cooked over a grill, these kebabs are tender, juicy, and packed with delightful smoky flavors, making them an excellent choice for a satisfying and easy-to-make meal.

Ingredients

Scale

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 (adjust to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the aromatics: In the bowl of your food processor, add the quartered onion and fresh parsley. Pulse the ingredients until they are finely chopped but not completely pureed, to ensure even distribution of flavor throughout the mixture.
  2. Mix the meat mixture: Transfer the chopped parsley and onion into a large mixing bowl. Add the ground beef along with salt, black pepper, seven spice, and cayenne pepper. With clean hands, mix all ingredients thoroughly until fully combined, ensuring an even blend of spices and herbs within the meat.
  3. Form the kebabs: Divide the meat mixture into portions and mold each portion around a skewer. Aim for the meat to be about one to one and a half inches thick around the skewer, forming an elongated oval shape. This thickness helps cook the kebabs evenly and retains juiciness.
  4. Preheat the grill: Prepare your charcoal or gas grill for cooking. For a gas grill, preheat it to medium-high heat and lightly brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
  5. Grill the kebabs: Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Cook the kebabs on one side for approximately 4 minutes, then carefully turn them over. Continue grilling the other side for another 4 minutes or until the meat is cooked through and slightly charred on the outside, ensuring they are juicy and flavorful.
  6. Serve: Remove the kebabs from the grill and serve immediately while hot and juicy. These kebabs pair wonderfully with fresh salads, flatbreads, or yogurt sauces.

Notes

  • Using lean ground beef helps prevent excessive flare-ups on the grill and keeps the kebabs healthy.
  • If you don’t have a food processor, finely chop the onion and parsley with a knife.
  • Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper according to your desired level of spiciness.
  • Seven spice blend is a Middle Eastern seasoning typically containing allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and other warm spices; substitute with a mix of allspice and cinnamon if unavailable.
  • Serve with lemon wedges to add a fresh citrusy zing.

Keywords: Kafta Kebabs, Middle Eastern kebabs, grilled beef skewers, seven spice recipe, easy grill recipes, ground beef kebabs