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Lebanese Kafta Kebabs 10.png

Lebanese Kafta Kebabs

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🍢 Experience the authentic flavors of Lebanon with this Kafta recipe featuring fresh herbs and fragrant spices for a juicy, aromatic grilled dish.
🔥 Simple ingredients come together to create a delicious meal perfect for gathering with friends and family.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 kebabs 1x

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds ground beef (85/15 fat content recommended; you can substitute ground lamb, chicken, or turkey)

2 tablespoons grated yellow onion

1 clove garlic, minced

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (flat-leaf or curly)

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint (plus extra for garnish)

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 tablespoon sumac

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons crushed dried mint

About 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1-First, in a large bowl, gently mix 2 pounds of ground beef with 2 tablespoons grated yellow onion, 1 clove minced garlic, 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley, 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, about 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon sumac, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons crushed dried mint. Use your hands to blend it all together, but don’t overdo it overworking can make the meat tough, and we want juicy kebabs!

2-Next, cover the mixture and chill it in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours, to let those flavors meld. While that’s resting, preheat your grill to medium heat and oil the grates thoroughly to avoid any sticking mishaps. Now, shape the mixture: take about 1/2 cup at a time and form it into oblong shapes around skewers aim for 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes first to prevent burning.

3-Place the skewers on the grill and cook covered for about 3 minutes until they get those lovely char marks, then turn and cook for another 5 minutes until they reach 135°F internally for a perfect medium doneness. Finally, take them off the heat, brush with a little olive oil if you like, sprinkle extra fresh mint, and serve right away for the best texture. For alternative methods, you can bake them at 325°F for 16-18 minutes or pan-fry in a hot, oiled skillet for about 8 minutes per side options that keep things flexible for your kitchen setup.

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Notes

🔥 Use ground meat with 10-15% fat to ensure moist and tender kebabs.
❌ Avoid overworking the meat mixture to keep the texture light.
🧊 For lean meats, add olive oil, melted butter, or milk-soaked breadcrumbs to retain moisture.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Chilling: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Lebanese, Middle Eastern
  • Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 kebab
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 420mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 2g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg