This Kafta Kebabs Recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, all on the grill, for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the spices or throw in some veggies to suit your taste, or even use this as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftover odds and ends! Trust me, this is a real crowd-pleaser.
Ingredient Breakdown
- 1 medium yellow onion (quartered)
- 1 cup fresh parsley (washed and patted dry)
- 600 grams ground beef (lean)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon seven spice (pre-mixed spice blend)
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne (more to taste)
How to Make Kafta Kebabs
Alright, let’s jump into the cooking process because this is where the magic happens!
Prep Your Ingredients (5 minutes) In the bowl of your food processor, toss in the quartered onion and the fresh parsley. Process by pulsing the ingredients until finely chopped. You want to see a beautiful mix of colors and fragrance wafting up. Kind of dreamy!
Mix the Meat (10 minutes) In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef and then the finely chopped onion and parsley mixture. Now is the time to sprinkle in all your spices: salt, black pepper, seven spice, and cayenne. Using your hands (and trust me, it’ll get messy), mix the ingredients thoroughly, don’t skimp on this step! You want that flavor to be evenly distributed throughout your meat.
Shape the Kebabs (5 minutes) This part is fun! Grab a handful of the meat mixture and mold it around the skewer. Aim for about an inch to an inch and a half thick. It should feel nice and compact, and a little sticky. You’re making something beautiful here, so make it count!
Fire Up the Grill (5 minutes) Whether you’re using charcoal or gas, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you’re using gas, brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
Grill the Kebabs (8 minutes) Place your skewers of kafta on the grill, and you should hear that joyful sizzling! Cook one side for about 4 minutes before turning over and cooking for another 4 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through. You want those lovely grill marks to appear, they add flavor and texture!
Serve Immediately (1 minute) And voilà! Serve the kafta kebabs straight off the grill. Trust me, the smells will have everyone gathering around (and possibly drooling).
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe for family gatherings! I’m a real sucker for meals that can please a crowd without tons of prep work (and clean-up!). There’s something comforting about grilled meat on a skewer, and the flavor combo is just insane. Plus, you can totally swap ingredients based on what you have in your fridge, the best part is that it always tastes fantastic. Gotta love that flexibility, right?
If you loved this Kafta Kebabs recipe, be sure to check out my One-Pan Lebanese Kafta, my Lebanese Lamb Croquettes, or my Lebanese Stuffed Pita Arayes!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes! It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
Grill-Friendly
Grilling adds a smoky flavor that is simply to die for! Plus, it keeps the kitchen cool during hot summer months, which is always a win.
Budget-Friendly
Uses affordable, everyday ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. You won’t be breaking the bank to enjoy these delicious kebabs.
Customizable
Use whatever ingredients you have! Feel free to add chopped veggies into the meat mix or serve with sauces or sides that your family loves.
Crowd-Pleaser
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor, appealing to both adults and kids. Best of all, it’s fun! Eating food off a skewer is just more exciting.
What to Serve With This
These kafta kebabs are incredibly versatile. Serve them with a side of fluffy couscous or rice, or pile them onto a fresh pita with grilled veggies. Pair them with a little tzatziki sauce or hummus for dipping, and don’t forget a fresh salad on the side!
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: You can freeze the uncooked kebabs for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before grilling.
- Reheating: If you have cooked leftovers, pop them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Or, better yet, you can microwave them for about 1-2 minutes covered with a damp paper towel to keep them juicy.
Go on, get those kafta kebabs sizzling! I know you’ll fall head over heels just like I did. Food is really about the joy of cooking together and sharing with loved ones, you know? Enjoy every bite and savor the memories you make around the table! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Kafta Kebabs
Ingredients
Method
- In the bowl of your food processor, toss in the quartered onion and the fresh parsley. Process by pulsing until finely chopped.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef and the finely chopped onion and parsley mixture. Sprinkle in salt, black pepper, seven spice, and cayenne. Mix thoroughly by hand.
- Grab a handful of the meat mixture and mold it around the skewer, aiming for about an inch to an inch and a half thick.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, brushing the grates with oil if using gas.
- Place the skewers of kafta on the grill. Cook one side for about 4 minutes before turning over and cooking for another 4 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through.
- Serve the kafta kebabs straight off the grill.