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    Home » Beef Recipes » Kafta Recipe

    Kafta Recipe

    Published: Jan 7, 2022 · Modified: Mar 18, 2022 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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    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 takes your dinner to the next level.

    Next time try these kofta kebabs made with ground lamb.

    Kafta in a white plate drizzled with tahini sauce with green salad and couscous on the side.
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • 📝 Recipe Ingredients
    • 🥣 Equipment
    • 🥄 Recipe Instructions
    • 💡 Tips
    • 🧺 Storage
    • 🍽️ Serve With
    • ⌛ Make Ahead
    • 📣 Related Recipes
    • Kafta Recipe

    ❤️ Why You'll Love It

    • Restaurant quality dinner with minimal effort.
    • Tender and very flavorful.
    • Goes very well with any side dish you have.
    • Low in carbs with no breadcrumbs or bread.

    You won't believe how easy these kafta is. All you need is a food processor and a some ingredients that I bet are there in your kitchen. An adult and kid friendly recipe low in carbs but high in flavor.

    📝 Recipe Ingredients

    kafta ingredients on a white marble surface.

    🥣 Equipment

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    • You'll need a food processor for this recipe not a mini one.

    🥄 Recipe Instructions

    Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

    • 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.
    Beef kafta kabobs recipe is a middle eastern meatball recipe your whole family will love.
    • Moisten the handle of a wooden spoon, a chopstick or a wooden skewer and the palm of your dominant hand with oil.
    • Take about two tablespoons of the meat mixture and form kafta around the handle of your spoon.
    • 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 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 leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in a skillet.

    🍽️ Serve With

    These kafta goes pretty well with almost any side dish you have. From pasta to vermicelli 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.

    ⌛ 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.
    A bird's eye view of a plate with kafta, tahini sauce and green salad.

    📣 Related Recipes

    • Shish Tawook is one of our favorite recipes to have regularly for dinner.
    • Shish Kebab is yet another favortie with meat cubes soaked in delicious flavorful marinade before grilling.
    • Meatloaf cupcakes or meatloaf muffins are tender mini meatloaves topped with mashed potato in a stunning yet easy presentation.

    I hope you'll like this recipe and please if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #amiraspantry — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter!
    Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for the FREE Amira's Pantry newsletter delivered to your inbox with lots of tips and surprises! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates.

    If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.

    A bird's eye view of a plate with kafta, tahini sauce and green salad.

    Kafta Recipe

    A warm blend of spices mixed with ground beef, onion, garlic and parsley to create this easy dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
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    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Arabic, Middle East
    Diet: Gluten Free, Halal
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 15 pieces
    Calories: 61kcal
    Author: Amira

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/3 pound lean ground beef
    • 1 medium yellow onion
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 1/2 bunch parsley
    • 3 teaspoon 7 spice blend
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
    • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
    • 1/2 teaspoon sumac
    • 1/2 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.
    Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 182mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
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    About Amira

    I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sana

      January 08, 2022 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Amira

        January 09, 2022 at 11:04 pm

        Oh thannk you so much Sana for your feedback, glad you liked it.

        Reply
    2. Ed Abels

      January 08, 2022 at 8:56 am

      I love middle eastern food. I can’t wait to try some of your recipes.
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Amira

        January 09, 2022 at 11:03 pm

        Thanks Ed.

        Reply

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    I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends. Read More…

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