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Forkin
Main CourseDinner

Grilled Kafta

These flavorful Lebanese kafta skewers are made from a simple mixture of ground beef, onion, parsley, and spices. They are perfect for grilling and can be served as a main course with rice, pita bread, or a fresh salad.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time
35 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Medium
Per serving
364 kcal
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Grilled Kafta

Mise en place

Ingredients

Measurements

Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.

Ingredients

  • 500 gground beef, lean
  • 1 pcsyellow onion, finely grated or very finely chopped
  • 0.5 cupfresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 2 clovegarlic, minced
  • 1 tspsalt
  • 0.5 tspblack pepper
  • 1 tspseven spice blend

for grilling

  • 1 tbspolive oil

Equipment

metal skewers or wooden skewers · grill · large mixing bowl

The method

Step by step

  1. 1

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, chopped fresh parsley, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and seven spice blend.

    About 5 min

    Cook’s note: Ensure the onion is very finely grated or chopped to prevent a crunchy texture in the cooked kafta.

  2. 2

    Mix the ingredients thoroughly with your hands until well combined and the mixture becomes slightly pasty.

    About 5 min

    Cook’s note: Over-mixing can make the meat tough, but you want it just combined enough to hold its shape.

  3. 3

    Divide the meat mixture into 8 equal portions.

    About 2 min

  4. 4

    Shape each portion around a metal skewer, forming an oblong, flattened cylinder about 1 inch thick and 4-5 inches long.

    About 5 min

    Cook’s note: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before use to prevent burning.

  5. 5

    Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

    About 5 min

    Cook’s note: A well-heated grill prevents sticking and helps achieve good grill marks.

  6. 6

    Lightly brush the kafta skewers with olive oil.

    About 1 min

  7. 7

    Place the skewers on the preheated grill.

  8. 8

    Grill for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until nicely browned on all sides and cooked through.

    About 8 min

    Cook’s note: The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) for ground beef.

  9. 9

    Remove the kafta from the grill and serve immediately.

Per serving

Nutrition

Calories
363.7kcal
Protein
22g
Carbs
4.8g
Fat
28.5g
Fibre
1g
Sugar
1.6g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftover grilled kafta in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a pan over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

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