Tender and hearty kafta kabob makes for a quick and easy dinner all year long. Ground beef mixed with onions, fresh parsley, and a handful of warm and earthy Middle Eastern spices that take your dinner to the next level.
Next time, try these kofta kebabs made with ground lamb.
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Beef Kafta is So Easy to Make at Home
When I do not have ground lamb at home, I make this Lebanese kafta. It delivers a restaurant quality dinner with minimal effort. It is incredibly tender, packed with rich flavor, and so easy to make right in your kitchen. All you need is a food processor and a handful of simple ingredients that are likely already sitting in your kitchen right now. It is a hassle free meal that brings authentic, gourmet taste straight to your dinner table.
Beyond its simplicity, this recipe is a crowd pleaser that is both adult and kid friendly, making it perfect for weeknight family dinners. It is naturally low in carbs since it contains no breadcrumbs or bread, yet it remains exceptionally high in flavor. Best of all, these versatile kafta skewers or patties pair beautifully with absolutely any side dish you have on hand, from fresh salads and rice to warm pita and roasted vegetables.
Kafta Ingredients
Kafta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ bunch parsley
- 3 teaspoon 7 spice blend
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon sumac
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for shaping
Instructions
- In the food processor place onions, garlic and process until finely chopped.
- Add spice and give it a quick turn to mix well.
- Add ground beef and parsley then mix until it forms something like a soft ball.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Place a rack in the middle and another one at the top third of your oven.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Moisten the handle of a wooden spoon or a chopstick and the palm of your dominant hand with oil.
- Hold the spoon with your dry hand and take a ball, about 2 tablespoons, of the meat mixture in your other hand.
- Press against the handle and form the kafta around it.
- Take it out of the handle and place on the baking tray.
- Proceed the same way until you are done with the rest of the mixture.
- Cover the tray with aluminum foil and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 10 minutes then uncover and bake in the upper rack for 5-7 minutes.
Notes
- This spice mixture is going to give your kafta a delicious taste so I highly encourage you to use them all.
- If you have a good non stick baking sheet there is no need to line with foil.
- To store: Store leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in a skillet.
- Make ahead:
- You can freeze the meat mixture then thaw and proceed with the recipe as is when you are ready to use.
- Another option which I always do is shape the kafta and freeze on a tray until hard. Place them after that in an airtight freezer container or a zip lock bag.
- Bake directly from frozen, no need to thaw, just give them a couple of more minutes in the oven.
- Grilling instructions: I like baking kafta in oven for 10 minutes covered then finish them off on the grill. This makes them much more easier to handle.
- Air fryer instructions:
- Recently I love making kafta in air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400F and air fry for 6-8 minutes.
- Each air fryer is different and I highly recommend that you check the kafta starting at 5 minutes.
- When making multiple batches in the air fryer reduce the time by 1 minute starting the second batch.
- Serve with:
- These kafta goes pretty well with almost any side dish you have. From pasta to rice and couscous do not forget some roasted vegetables and green salad. We also like to make kafta pita pockets with tahini sauce so Egyptian.
Nutrition
How to Make Kafta Kabob
- In the food processor place onions, garlic and process until finely chopped.
- Add all the spices at once and give it a turn or two to mix.
- Add the ground beef and chopped parsley.
- Process until the beef mixture forms a ball and becomes soft. Place meat mixture in a large bowl.
- Moisten the handle of a wooden spoon, a chopstick or a wooden skewers and the palm of your dominant hand with oil.
- Take about two tablespoons of the ground meat mixture and form kafta around the handle of your spoon to form into a log shape.
- Place in baking sheet and bake or grill according to directions below.
Grilling Instructions:
I like baking kafta in oven for 10 minutes covered then finish them off on a preheated outdoor grill. This makes them much more easier to handle.
Grill pan instructions
Lightly oil your pan and cook kafta on medium high heat until done.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Recently I love making kafta in air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400F and air fry for 6-8 minutes.
- Each air fryer is different and I highly recommend that you check the kafta starting at 5 minutes.
- When making multiple batches in the air fryer reduce the time by 1 minute starting the second batch.
- Your air fryer might smoke especially if you are making multiple batches, this is normal. It is recommended to add a table spoon of water or a piece of bread in the dripping tray. Please refer to your device manual for safety.
Tips
- This spice mixture is going to give your kafta a delicious taste so I highly encourage you to use them all.
- If you have a good non stick baking sheet there is no need to line with foil.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in a skillet.
Serve With
- This kafta goes pretty well with almost any side dish you have. Serve them over pasta, Lebanese rice, or couscous.
- Mediterranean Roasted vegetables are a go-to in my house. The whole family loves the southern flavor, and they're super to make as a dinner side.
- Serve Egyptian style with some Pita Bread, Tahini sauce, or Baba ganoush .
- Serve them with Toum (garlic sauce) or a dollop of hummus.
- This refreshing sparkling Mojito Mocktail is the perfect drink to serve with kafta.
Make Ahead
- You can freeze the meat mixture then thaw and proceed with the recipe as is when you are ready to use.
- Another option which I always do is shape the kofta and freeze on a tray until hard. Place them after that in an airtight freezer container or a zip lock bag. Bake directly from frozen, no need to thaw, just give them a couple of more minutes in the oven.
More Middle Eastern Recipes
- Shish Kebab Recipe.
- Chicken Kofta.
- Shish Tawook Recipe.
- Beef Shawarma.
- Chicken Shawarma.
- Chicken Shawarma Rice.
- Baked Kibbeh
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Emily K
I went to Egypt in November, and I’ve been craving kofta ever since. All of the other recipes I tried did not satisfy that craving. This one actually tastes like the kofta I had in Egypt! Thank you for your detailed spice information.
Beth
I would love to try this kafta recipe. Can you tell me what is in 7 spice blend? Is it something I can buy or do I need to make the mixture?
Thanks,
Beth
Amira
Beth, you can go DIY or buy it. It would be available in Middle Eastern stores and on amazon as well.
Sana
I opened my email this morning and there was lunch calling my name. This recipe was amazing! I changed nothing as the instructions were easy to follow! Another hit Amira!
Amira
Oh thannk you so much Sana for your feedback, glad you liked it.
Ed Abels
I love middle eastern food. I can’t wait to try some of your recipes.
Thanks
Amira
Thanks Ed.