The Best Beef Kafta Kebabs
Warm weather meals don’t get any easier than this! Beef kafta is a Mediterranean dish that tastes amazing and is nearly effortless to make. Kofta kebabs are tender and juicy meatball-like skewers of seasoned lean ground beef… The meat is combined with a blend of fresh parsley, garlic, and earthy spices like cinnamon and coriander, so every bite has the most delicious balance of savory and bright flavors. They cook on the grill in only about 10 minutes, and are great to enjoy with Greek-inspired side dishes for a casual dinner any night of the week. And beef kafta kabobs are fantastic to make in large batches for backyard barbecues! Who doesn’t love kabobs at a party? Any handheld food on a stick is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. This classic gluten-free kafta recipe can be customized with your choice of proteins, and is terrific to include as part of your weekly make-ahead meal plan. Follow our nearly no-fail steps and I’m sure you’ll be keeping this one in the regular rotation!
Ingredients You Need
Lean ground beef – or ground lamb, turkey, or chicken Onion – chopped Parsley – packed Garlic cloves – peeled Spices – salt, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground coriander, dried oregano, black pepper Olive oil – or other neutral flavored high-heat oil
How to Make Grilled Beef Kabobs
Pro Tip: To start, set out a large shallow pan of water. Place 12 wooden skewers in the water to soak while you prepare the meat mixture. This step is essential to ensure that the sticks don’t burn up on the grill. When ready to get cooking, first set out a large food processor. Add the onion, parsley, garlic, salt, cumin, cinnamon, coriander, oregano, and black pepper to the food processor. Chop into a fine mince. Then add the ground beef and pulse several times until the meat and vegetables are evenly mixed. Do not over mix the meat. It should have the consistency of a fine meatball or meatloaf texture. Divide the meat mixture into 12 equal portions. Flatten each portion in your hand, then place a skewer on top and pinch the beef around the skewer into the shape of a sausage. Make sure to seal the ground beef well so it doesn’t fall off the skewer. Each kafta kabab should be approximately 1 inch thick, like a small hotdog. Set the kofta kebabs on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush them with olive oil. Pro Tip: Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to chill. This will help the ground beef to stay firm on the skewer as it is cooked through. Next, preheat the grill to medium heat. Once the grill is hot, grill the beef kafta kabobs for 8-10 minutes, turning 2 to 3 times.
Serving Suggestions
Remove from heat, and let rest for just a minute or so before serving warm. Enjoy them with your favorite Mediterranean side dishes like rice or lemon garlic potatoes and Horiatiki. And we love to also serve classic Greek accompaniments like hummus, tzatziki sauce, and flatbread for a complete Opa!-worthy meal.
Looking For More Delicious Grilled Dishes? Be Sure To Also Try These Easy Recipes:
Teriyaki BBQ Grilled Shrimp Skewers Greek Chicken Souvlaki Recipe Balsamic Chicken Skewers with Israeli Couscous “Street Meat” Grilled Lamb Kebabs Italian Beef Skewers
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