Delightfully flavorful, this beef Kafta serves as a delicious and convenient dinner option that can be prepared swiftly for busy evenings. This traditional Lebanese mixture, typically crafted skewer style, can also be made burger style, offering a versatile alternative, especially useful when introducing hesitant kids to try it.
For optimal flavor, consider grilling this recipe, though it truly excels when prepared on the stovetop, particularly using a cast iron skillet. While baking remains an option, the former methods ensure more favorable results.
What is Kafta?
Kafta, crafted from beef, chicken, or lamb, enriches itself with Middle Eastern spices, herbs, and onions. The essential ingredients include ground beef, onions, parsley, and my special spice blend.
Traditionally, people serve Kafta on pita bread with hummus. Alternatively, it complements rice pilaf or a fresh salad, as depicted in the accompanying image.
What Ingredients are Required?
Typically there are only a few ingredients to Kafta, although I have added my own additions over the years to include more. Now, let’s dive into the delightful mix of ingredients that’ll transform into a mouthwatering dish:
Ground Beef: Picture this as the hearty foundation, promising a satisfying and meaty experience.
Fresh Parsley: Adding a burst of freshness, the vibrant green parsley brings a lively herbaceous note to the mix, measured precisely for that perfect balance.
Egg: These little wonders act as the binding force, ensuring your kafta holds together beautifully while adding a subtle richness to the flavor.
Onion: Finely chopped for a sweet and savory twist, these onions promise to infuse their distinct taste into every bite.
Salt: A dash of salt, just enough to elevate all the flavors and create a harmonious balance.
7 Spices: This Middle Eastern spice blend introduces a symphony of flavors, adding warmth and depth to the kafta.
Allspice: Bringing in a touch of warmth and sweetness, allspice complements the savory elements, creating a well-rounded taste.
Za’atar: A pinch of za’atar introduces a hint of earthiness, contributing to the unique and authentic flavor profile.
Garlic: Mince it for that aromatic kick, promising a subtle garlicky undertone that enhances the overall taste.
Cinnamon: Just a whisper of cinnamon adds a delightful twist, elevating the kafta with a hint of warmth.
With these ingredients in your culinary arsenal, get ready to embark on a flavorful journey as you craft the perfect beef kafta—where every bite tells a story of aromatic spices and savory goodness.
How To Make Beef Kafta
Traditionally, I was taught this dish is prepared with beef, onion, parsley, and spices. However, over the years, I’ve added a twist to the recipe. After learning and experimenting, I incorporated garlic, my special spice blend, a pinch of cinnamon, and an egg. Thoroughly mixing these ingredients together is essential, and using your hands can ensure an even distribution of spices and herbs.
Shape the mixture into elongated, sausage-like forms to create the Kafta skewers. If you’ll be using the grill, it may be easier to attach around wooden skewer sticks. Not necessary for stovetop or oven preparation. If you’re grilling, preheat the grill to medium-high heat, or if using a stovetop, heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
Place the Kafta skewers on the grill or in the skillet, cooking for about 5 minutes on each side or until fully cooked with a nice crust.
Serve the beef Kafta hot, traditionally on pita bread with hummus, or alongside rice pilaf, and a fresh salad. Enjoy the delicious flavors of homemade beef Kafta!
What Pairs Well With Beef Kafta?
Wondering what makes a perfect companion for Yogurt Chicken?
Lebanese Rice – The simplicity of this rice beautifully complements Yogurt Chicken, making it my top pick for a delightful pairing.
Herb Roasted Potatoes – Bursting with flavor, this delicious dish adds an extra layer of taste to accompany Yogurt Chicken.
And, of course, complete your meal with a veggie side!
Chickpea Salad – Light and fresh, this salad introduces a medley of delicious elements to the table, making it a perfect addition to any protein!
Tips
Here are some of the spices you’ll want to get for most of the recipes on my website. These will last you quite a long time!
Allspice – Allspice is derived from dried Pimenta dioica berries. It imparts a warm and aromatic flavor reminiscent of a cinnamon-clove-nutmeg blend.
7 Spices – Seven Spices combines warm and aromatic elements like cinnamon, cloves, cumin, coriander, cardamom, nutmeg, and paprika.
Za’atar – Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend, combines herbs like thyme and oregano with sesame seeds and sumac, creating a savory and tangy flavor profile.
Beef Kafta
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Ground Beef
- 1 cup Fresh Parsley Measured before chopped
- 2 Eggs
- 2 medium Onions
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp 7 Spices
- 1 tsp Allspice
- 1/2 tsp Za'atar
- 1/2 clove Garlic
- 1 pinch Cinnamon
Instructions
- Add ground beef to a large sized bowl.
- Measure out parsley before you chop it. Chop onions very small. I like to use my veggie chopper to make extremely fine pieces. Add to the bowl on top of the ground beef. Add salt, 7 spices, allspice, za'atar, garlic and cinnamon.
- You can scramble eggs a little before adding to the bowl if you'd like to make it easier to mix.
- Thoroughly mix the ingredients together, using your hands if needed for an even distribution of spices and herbs.
- Shape the mixture into elongated, sausage-like forms to create the Kafta skewers. If you're grilling, preheat the grill to medium-high heat, or if using a stovetop, heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
- Place the Kafta skewers on the grill or in the skillet, cooking for about 5 minutes on each side or until fully cooked with a nice crust.
- Serve the beef Kafta hot, traditionally on pita bread with hummus, or alongside rice pilaf or a fresh salad. Enjoy the delicious flavors of homemade beef Kafta!
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