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Beef Kafta Kebabs

Beef kafta kebabs with spiced ground beef shaped on skewers and grilled until deeply charred at the edges. A quick 30-minute chill firms the meat for clean log shapes, making kofta-style ground beef skewers that stay juicy on the grill.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
chilling 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 680
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Beef kafta kebabs
  • 2 lb ground beef Use 80/20 for juicy kafta.
  • 1 onion Grated and squeezed dry to prevent slipping on the skewers.
  • 0.5 cup fresh parsley Finely chopped.
  • 3 clove garlic Minced.
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 salt To taste.
  • 1 pepper To taste.
  • 1 metal or soaked wooden skewers Use metal skewers or soak wooden skewers to reduce burning.
  • 1 tahini sauce For serving.
  • 1 pita bread For serving.
  • 1 fresh vegetables For serving.

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Mix and chill
  1. Combine ground beef, grated onion (squeezed dry), chopped parsley, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until evenly distributed.
  2. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to firm up for shaping.
Shape and grill
  1. Divide the mixture into 6-8 portions and shape each portion around skewers in a log shape, pressing to keep it tight.
  2. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, then grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side until charred and cooked through.
Serve
  1. Serve the beef kafta kebabs hot with tahini sauce, pita bread, and fresh vegetables.

Notes

Pro tip: Squeeze the grated onion very dry so the spiced beef holds its shape on the skewers and doesn’t loosen on the grill. Refrigerate cooked kebabs in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat on a hot grill or skillet. Freezing is yes—freeze cooked kebabs up to 2 months and reheat until hot throughout. For a lighter option, use 90/10 ground beef and add an extra pinch of salt to maintain flavor.