Description
Beef Kafta is a flavorful Middle Eastern grilled meat patty made from ground beef mixed with fresh parsley, onions, and a blend of aromatic spices. Perfectly seasoned and grilled to juicy perfection, this recipe offers a delicious, protein-packed dish that’s great for a casual meal or a festive gathering.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, quartered and finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
Spices
- 2 teaspoons 7 spice blend
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Chop Parsley: Place the parsley in a food processor and pulse until it is finely chopped. Remove and set aside.
- Chop Onion: Using the same food processor bowl, add the quartered onion and pulse until finely chopped. Drain to remove excess moisture to avoid soggy kafta.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the chopped parsley to the food processor with the onions. Add the ground beef and all the spices. Pulse one or two times until the mixture combines into a smooth, pasty consistency without over-processing.
- Shape Kafta: Transfer the meat mixture to a large bowl. Form into oblong-shaped patties about 1 inch thick, yielding around 12 pieces. Optionally, you can form these around wooden skewers for easier grilling.
- Prepare Grill: Grease the grates of a gas grill or a nonstick indoor grill pan and preheat it to medium-high heat to ensure the kafta does not stick and cooks evenly.
- Grill Kafta: Place the formed kafta patties on the hot grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, adjusting time based on your preferred level of doneness and ensuring they are cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the grilled kafta from the grill and serve hot with your choice of sides such as pita bread, salad, or dips like tzatziki or hummus.
Notes
- Storage: Keep leftover kafta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Make Ahead: Kafta can be formed into patties and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for 6-8 hours before grilling.
- Sourcing Spices: Find 7 Spice blend and other Middle Eastern spices at specialized markets or large supermarkets. You can substitute 7 Spice with All Spice if unavailable. Pre-made Kafta spice blends can be used as a convenient replacement for the individual spices.
- Skewers: Wooden skewers can be used to shape and grill the kafta for added convenience and presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
