Description
Lebanese Kafta is a flavorful and aromatic ground meat dish made with a blend of spices, fresh parsley, and grated onion. Typically made from beef or lamb, the kafta is shaped into patties or skewered kebabs and cooked by grilling or pan-frying. This easy, traditional Middle Eastern recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and pairs well with rice, salad, or flatbread.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium onion, finely grated and excess liquid squeezed out
- 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Lebanese 7 spice blend
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for grilling or frying)
- Optional: Sliced tomatoes for grilling
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the ground beef or lamb with the finely grated onion (with excess liquid squeezed out), chopped parsley, Lebanese 7 spice blend, kosher salt, and black pepper until all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Shape the Kafta: Divide the meat mixture into equal portions. Shape each portion either into oval patties or mold around skewers if making kebabs.
- Cook the Kafta by Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the shaped kafta with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until the meat is fully cooked and has nice grill marks.
- Or Pan-Fry the Kafta: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kafta patties and cook for approximately 5 minutes per side, until they are browned on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
- Optional – Grill Tomatoes: If desired, place sliced tomatoes on the grill a few minutes before finishing the kafta. Grill them until they are slightly charred and softened for added flavor.
- Serve: Serve the kafta hot alongside rice, fresh salad, or wrapped in flatbread. Include the grilled tomatoes if made, to complement the meal.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze out the excess liquid from the grated onion to avoid too much moisture which could affect the texture of the kafta.
- Lebanese 7 spice blend typically includes cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, coriander, and cumin; adjust seasoning to taste.
- For best grilling results, preheat and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Kafta can be shaped and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Serve with classic Middle Eastern sides like tabbouleh, hummus, or tzatziki for a full meal.
