Description
Lebanese Kafta is a flavorful Middle Eastern dish featuring ground beef or lamb seasoned with aromatic Lebanese 7 spice, fresh parsley, and onions. Perfectly shaped into oval patties or kebabs, these kaftas can be grilled or pan-fried to juicy perfection. Served hot with rice, salad, or wrapped in flatbread, sometimes accompanied by grilled tomatoes, this dish offers a delicious and authentic taste of Lebanese cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 1 medium onion, finely grated and excess liquid squeezed out
- 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Lebanese 7 spice blend
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for grilling or frying)
- Optional: Sliced tomatoes for grilling
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, finely grated onion, chopped parsley, Lebanese 7 spice blend, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated, ensuring the flavors meld together.
- Shape the Kafta: Divide the meat mixture into equal portions. Shape each portion into an oval patty or mold it firmly around skewers if making kebabs, ensuring they hold their shape during cooking.
- Cook the Kafta – Grilling Method: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush each kafta with olive oil to prevent sticking and place them on the grill. Cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side until the meat is fully cooked, juicy, and has appealing grill marks.
- Cook the Kafta – Pan-Frying Method: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kafta patties and cook for about 5 minutes per side, turning once, until they are well browned and cooked through to a safe temperature.
- Optional – Grill Tomatoes: If desired, place sliced tomatoes on the grill during the last few minutes of cooking the kafta. Grill the tomatoes until slightly charred and softened to add a smoky, juicy complement to the dish.
- Serve: Serve the kafta hot alongside rice, fresh salad, or wrapped in flatbread. Add the grilled tomatoes on the side if prepared, for a complete and delicious meal experience.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh parsley for vibrant flavor。
- Make sure to squeeze out excess liquid from the grated onion to avoid soggy kafta.
- The Lebanese 7 spice blend typically includes cinnamon, allspice, cloves, pepper, cumin, nutmeg, and coriander.
- If using skewers, soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
- Kafta can be cooked either grilled or pan-fried based on preference and available equipment.
- Leftover kafta can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
