This Juicy Middle Eastern Kebabs recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and is grilled to perfection for a quick and easy meal your family will adore! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste, or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends. Seriously, this dish is versatile enough to be a crowd-pleaser or a cozy family dinner!
Ingredient Breakdown
- 1 pound Ground Beef or Kebabs
- 1 pound Ground Lamb (optional)
- ½ bunch Parsley
- 4 Garlic Cloves
- ½ Yellow Onion
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 tablespoon 7 Spices
- ½ tablespoon Coriander Powder
- 1 tablespoon Sumac
- ½ tablespoon Aleppo Pepper
- ¼ tablespoon Black Pepper
- 2-3 teaspoons Salt (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
Let’s Get Cooking!
Prep Your Ingredients (5 minutes) Chop your parsley and garlic, or if you want to save time, toss them into a food processor! Process the onion separately, then oh, and this part is important, put the processed onion into a paper towel and squeeze out all that liquid before adding it to the meat. Nobody wants soggy kebabs!
Mix It Up (10 minutes) In a bowl, combine your ground beef (or a mixture of beef and lamb if you’re feeling adventurous). Add the chopped parsley and garlic, the squeezed onion, and all those lovely spices we talked about. Don’t forget the baking soda! Then get in there (clean hands are the best tools here) and mix until everything is well incorporated.
Chill and Set (30 minutes) Now, let’s play the waiting game! Pop the mixture into the fridge for about 30 minutes. This helps everything meld together flavor-wise, and trust me when I say that waiting will pay off!
Skewer the Mixture (15 minutes) When you’re ready, soak your skewers in water for about 10-15 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill (unless you’re using metal skewers, gold star for you)! Then, using your hands, shape the meat mixture onto the skewers, pressing down firmly to ensure they stay intact. I like to reserve a bit of that onion liquid to brush onto the skewers for extra flavor!
Grill the Kebabs (10-15 minutes) Preheat your grill to medium-low heat. Grill the kebabs for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally until they’re cooked through and have a nice char. The smell will be incredible! You can even brush them with a tiny bit of melted butter or ghee before grilling for even more flavor.
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I need something quick yet satisfying for dinner! Kebabs are such a comfort food for me, they remind me of my family gatherings where we’d just grill, laugh, and enjoy good food. I’m a real sucker for recipes that allow for such versatility, too. You can use whatever you’ve got on hand; if you’re missing an ingredient, improvise! The best part is that everyone will be reaching for seconds!
Serving Suggestions
Once the kebabs are grilled, serve them with warm pita bread, a generous dollop of creamy tzatziki sauce, or a drizzle of tahini for an added flavor burst. These pairs are perfect along with a crispy side salad or some fluffy rice heck, even some roasted veggies on the side make for a colorful meal. Trust me; your dinner table will be bursting with good vibes!
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigeration: These kebabs are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: For the best results, reheat them on the grill for a couple of minutes on each side so they don’t dry out. You can also use a microwave if you’re in a hurry, but you might lose some of that juicy goodness.
- Freezer Friendly: Yes! You can freeze the kebabs before cooking them, and they will keep for about 2 months. Just ensure they’re wrapped tightly to prevent freezer burn.
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Lebanese Shawarma, my Malfouf Mahshi, or my Lebanese Moussaka (Maghmour)!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
These kebabs come together in under 30 minutes, then chill while you gather sides, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal in a hurry!
Crowd-Pleaser
The whole family will love it! Seriously, I can’t remember a time when leftovers weren’t devoured the next day. Kebabs just have a way of bringing everyone together.
Customizable
Use whatever ingredients you have. In a pinch, even swapping proteins works well! To suit different tastes, you can easily switch the spices or add a variety of toppings and sides.
Comfort Food
These kebabs are loaded with tons of flavor and take you straight to the streets of the Middle East with every bite! It’s like a journey for your taste buds, and honestly, who doesn’t love that?
So what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients, gather the family, and let’s make some juicy Middle Eastern kebabs together! You’ll be so glad you did! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Juicy Middle Eastern Kebabs
Ingredients
Method
- Chop the parsley and garlic or process them in a food processor. Process the onion and squeeze out excess liquid before adding to the meat.
- In a bowl, combine ground beef (or a mixture of beef and lamb), parsley, garlic, squeezed onion, and spices including baking soda. Mix with clean hands until well incorporated.
- Place the mixture in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Soak skewers in water for 10-15 minutes (skip this for metal skewers). Shape the meat mixture onto the skewers, pressing tightly to hold.
- Preheat grill to medium-low. Grill the kebabs for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally until cooked through and charred.