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Beef Kafta Kebabs

Beef kafta kebabs are spiced ground beef skewers shaped into logs and grilled until deeply charred at the edges. After a short chill, the mixture firms up for clean shaping and juicy, cooked-through kebabs.
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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: 780
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Skewered spiced beef kafta mixture
  • 2 lb ground beef Use 80/20 for juiciness.
  • 1 onion Grate and squeeze dry so the mixture holds together.
  • 0.5 cup fresh parsley Finely chopped.
  • 3 cloves garlic Minced.
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 salt To taste.
  • 0.25 pepper To taste.
For grilling and serving
  • 1 metal or soaked wooden skewers Use metal, or soak wooden skewers to reduce burning.
  • 1 tahini sauce
  • 1 pita
  • 1 fresh vegetables For serving.

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Mix and chill the kafta
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, grated onion (squeezed dry), chopped parsley, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and pepper, and mix until evenly combined.
  2. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to firm up, then you’ll be able to shape it around the skewers cleanly.
Shape and grill
  1. Divide the chilled mixture into 6-8 portions and shape each portion around a skewer into a log shape with even thickness.
  2. Grill over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side, until the kebabs are charred on the outside and cooked through (look for dark grill marks and no pink in the center).
Serve
  1. Serve the beef kafta kebabs with tahini sauce, pita bread, and fresh vegetables.

Notes

Chill time is key: it firms the spiced beef so the logs hold their shape on the grill. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently. Freezing is not recommended for best texture. For a lighter option, use leaner ground beef (90/10) and expect slightly less richness and a bit more frequent checking on the grill.