Ingredients
1 ½ pounds ground beef (85/15 fat content preferred)
½ cup parsley, finely chopped
1 small yellow onion, grated or finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 teaspoon baharat spice blend or use allspice, cumin, and cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sumac, mint, lemon zest for extra flavor (optional)
Instructions
1. Place parsley in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
2. Use the same processor to finely chop or grate the onion and garlic. Drain excess moisture.
3. Combine the ground beef with chopped parsley, onion, garlic, baharat, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Mix gently until well combined, avoiding overworking the meat.
5. Form the mixture into oblong shapes, about 1 inch thick, and skewer or leave them freeform.
6. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates.
7. Cook the kaftas for about 4-5 minutes per side, until browned and cooked to medium.
8. Alternatively, bake at 350ºF for 15-20 minutes or pan-fry over medium heat.
9. Garnish with additional parsley or mint before serving.
Notes
🍢 Use meat with 10-15% fat for optimal juiciness in your kafta.
⚖️ Avoid over-mixing the meat mixture to maintain a light texture.
🥘 Chilling the mixture helps in shaping and firming the kaftas if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Marination/Infusion Time: 30 minutes to 1 day
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Lebanese
- Diet: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1-2 kaftas
- Calories: Approx. 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg