Lebanese Kafta
Lebanese kafta is a flavorful grilled minced meat dish made with ground lamb or beef blended with fresh parsley, onion, and aromatic spices then shaped onto flat skewers. It is a favorite at outdoor grills and family barbecues across Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
Juicy and herb-spiced Lebanese grilled minced meat skewers perfect for any barbecue.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
kafta
Instructions
Mix the kafta blend
Place the ground meat in a large mixing bowl and add the grated onion, finely chopped parsley, seven spice, cinnamon, and salt. Mix everything together thoroughly using your hands for at least 3 minutes until the mixture becomes well combined and slightly sticky. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up.
Shape onto skewers
Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. With wet hands, press and mold each portion around a flat metal skewer, shaping it into a long sausage about 15 centimeters in length. Squeeze firmly so the meat adheres securely and will not fall off during grilling.
Grill the kafta
Preheat your grill or grill pan to high heat. Cook the kafta skewers for 5 to 6 minutes per side, turning once, until they are nicely charred on the outside and cooked through. Do not press down on the meat with a spatula as this will release the juices and dry out the kafta.
Rest and serve
Remove the kafta from the grill and allow them to rest for 3 minutes before serving. Serve on a platter with warm pita bread, a side of garlic sauce or hummus, sliced tomatoes, and fresh parsley. A simple tahini drizzle makes an excellent accompaniment.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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