The Juicy Lebanese Kafta Kebabs Recipe You’ll Crave Tonight

Tender and juicy, these Lebanese kafta kebabs sparkle with Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate.

Succulent ground meat mingles with aromatic herbs and spices, creating a mouthwatering blend of traditional Lebanese cuisine.

Fragrant parsley, zesty onions, and warm cinnamon weave their magic through each carefully crafted kebab.

Grilled to perfection, these kebabs promise a delightful journey through authentic Middle Eastern culinary traditions.

Serve them alongside fresh pita, crisp salad, and tangy yogurt sauce for a complete meal that will transport you straight to the bustling streets of beirut.

Every bite tells a story of rich cultural heritage and passionate cooking.

Prepare to savor a recipe that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast.

Lebanese Kafta Kebabs Noteworthy Aspects

• Lebanese kafta kebabs bring a burst of Middle Eastern cuisine right to your backyard, offering a delicious and aromatic grilling experience that transports your taste buds.
• With just a food processor and mixing bowl, you can create these kebabs in minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous gatherings.
• Kids and adults alike will love the juicy, well-seasoned meat and the fun skewer presentation, ensuring everyone at the table enjoys a delightful meal together.
• These kebabs can be served with rice, wrapped in pita bread, or alongside fresh salads, providing flexibility for different meal styles and preferences.

Ingredients for Lebanese Kafta Kebabs

• Ground Beef: Lean meat that forms the primary protein and foundation of the Lebanese Kafta Kebabs.

• Onion, Fresh Parsley: Provide a bright, fresh flavor and help keep the meat mixture moist and well-seasoned.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Allspice, Cumin: Classic Middle Eastern spices that create a deep, warm, and complex flavor profile for the kebabs.

Equipment for Lebanese Kafta Kebabs

• Food Processor: Essential for quickly chopping onions and parsley into fine pieces.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed to combine ground beef and seasonings comfortably.
• Skewers: Metal or wooden skewers help shape and grill kebabs perfectly.
• Grill or Grill Pan: Provides high heat for cooking kebabs with beautiful char marks.
• Mixing Hands: Your clean hands are the best tool for thoroughly blending meat mixture.
• Tongs: Great for safely turning kebabs while grilling without piercing meat.
• Pastry Brush: Useful for oiling grill grates to prevent kebabs from sticking.

Stepwise Guide to Lebanese Kafta Kebabs

Step 1: Chop Vibrant Aromatics

Grab your food processor and toss in quartered onions and fresh parsley.

Pulse the ingredients until they transform into a finely chopped, fragrant mixture that will infuse your kebabs with incredible flavor.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Meat Blend

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ground beef with the chopped parsley-onion mixture.

Sprinkle in your aromatic spices.

Dive in with your hands and mix everything thoroughly, ensuring each morsel is perfectly seasoned.

Step 3: Shape Delectable Kebab Cylinders

Mold the seasoned meat mixture around skewers, crafting cylindrical kebabs that are approximately 1 to 1.5 inches thick.

Make sure the meat is compact and evenly distributed for consistent cooking.

Step 4: Grill to Perfection

Fire up your gas grill to medium-high heat and lightly brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking.

Carefully place the kebabs on the grill and cook for roughly 4 minutes per side.

The goal is a beautifully charred exterior with a fully cooked interior.

Look for a golden-brown color and ensure the meat is cooked through before serving.

Tips for Perfect Lebanese Kafta Kebabs

• Use fresh, high-quality ground spices like cinnamon, allspice, and black pepper for authentic Lebanese flavor profile.
• Add grated onion or soaked bread crumbs to keep kebabs juicy and prevent dryness during grilling.
• Wet hands with water while forming kebabs to prevent meat from sticking and create smooth, even surfaces.
• Let meat mixture rest for 30 minutes before grilling to help spices blend and improve overall texture and taste.
• Pair kebabs with fresh pita, yogurt sauce, and chopped salad for a complete and traditional Lebanese meal experience.

Kebab Twists and Add-Ons

• Lamb Lover's Kebabs: Replace ground beef with ground lamb for a richer, more traditional Middle Eastern flavor profile that adds depth and complexity to the dish.
• Vegetarian Kafta Spin: Swap meat with a plant-based alternative like crumbled firm tofu or Beyond Meat, keeping the same spice blend and grilling technique for a meatless version.
• Gluten-Free Herb Fusion: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour as a binding agent, ensuring the kebabs hold together while maintaining a light, fresh texture.
• Low-Carb Protein Power: Skip breadcrumbs entirely and add extra herbs and spices to create a leaner, carbohydrate-reduced kebab that's perfect for keto diet followers.

Plating Lebanese Kafta Kebabs Creatively

• Flavor-Packed Pita Wraps: Slide warm kafta kebabs into soft pita bread, topped with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a drizzle of cool tzatziki sauce for a classic Mediterranean street food experience.
• Middle Eastern Mezze Plate: Arrange grilled kebabs alongside hummus, tabbouleh, olives, and pickled vegetables for a stunning shared platter that celebrates traditional Lebanese cuisine.
• Fresh Garden Salad Companion: Serve kebabs over a bed of mixed greens with cucumber, red onion, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing to create a light, protein-rich meal perfect for summer dining.
• Family-Style Feast: Present kebabs on a large platter with grilled vegetables, warm flatbread, and multiple dipping sauces to encourage interactive, communal eating that brings everyone together.

Storing Lebanese Kafta Kebabs Safely

• Store leftover kebabs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place them flat, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual kebabs tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn.
• Place kebabs on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature to avoid drying out.

FAQs

• What are the key spices used in Lebanese Kafta Kebabs?

The key spices typically include ground cumin, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and black pepper, which give the kebabs their distinctive Middle Eastern flavor profile.

• Can I make Kafta Kebabs without a grill?

Yes, you can cook Kafta Kebabs in a skillet on the stovetop or in the oven. If using a skillet, cook over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through.

• Is it necessary to use fresh parsley in the recipe?

Fresh parsley is traditional and adds a bright, herbaceous flavor. While you can use dried parsley, fresh parsley provides a more vibrant taste and authentic Lebanese touch.

Lebanese Kafta Kebabs Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Lebanese Kafta Kebabs combine ground lamb with aromatic herbs and spices for a delightful Middle Eastern meal. Grilled to perfection, these tender skewers deliver authentic flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 600 grams (1.32 pounds) lean ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
• 1 cup fresh parsley, washed and patted dry

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon seven spice blend
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste

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Instructions

1. Finely chop onion and parsley in a food processor until uniformly minced and fragrant.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground beef with the processed herb-onion blend, incorporating all spices thoroughly by hand-mixing until ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Mold the seasoned meat mixture around metal skewers, creating uniform cylindrical kebabs approximately 1-1.5 inches thick, ensuring compact and consistent shape.
4. Heat gas grill to medium-high (around 400°F), lightly oil grates to prevent sticking, and grill kebabs for 4 minutes per side, rotating once, until internal temperature reaches 160°F and exterior develops a caramelized, slightly charred surface.

Notes

• Enhance flavor by letting the meat mixture rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before shaping, allowing spices to meld together.
• Use wet hands when forming kebabs to prevent meat from sticking and create smoother, more uniform shapes.
• For a leaner option, substitute half the ground beef with ground turkey or lamb for added variety and reduced fat content.
• Prevent kebabs from spinning on skewers by using flat metal skewers or soaking wooden skewers in water before use to ensure even cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Lebanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 285
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg