Recipes

Lebanese Kafta Kebabs

Serves 4

| Prep Time: 15 mins

| Cook Time: 25 mins

| Total Time: 40 mins

You may need: Spicy Mint

Discover The Recipe

Savory, spicy and bursting with flavor, Lebanese kafta kebabs are an indispensable staple of Lebanese and Middle Eastern gastronomy, consisting of beef, lamb, veal or chicken mixed with an assortment of herbs and spices and grilled over an open flame. The word kafta (spelled kofta or kefta outside of Lebanon) comes from the Persian word kūfta, which means “to grind'' and refers to the ground meat that is shaped around a skewer to achieve its iconic cylindrical form. Interpretations of the dish vary widely, and in Lebanon it’s typically made with ground beef, minced onion and a hefty amount of fresh herbs and chili flakes for that distinctive “cool-hot” flavor combination found in Middle-Eastern cuisine.

In this recipe, we follow the blueprint for Lebanese kafta, but have adapted them to be baked in the oven, although they are delightful when grilled. To imbue the meat with Lebanese flavor, the kafta are liberally seasoned with our proprietary Piquant Post Spicy Mint and bound with finely minced onions and parsley. The cayenne in the spicy mint provides a hot undercurrent, while cumin and smoked paprika add hints of smoke, and cooling spearmint tempers the intensity of the cayenne and pulls the parsley and minced onion into focus. The spicy mint packs a punch of heat, so feel free to adjust the amount to your preferred spice levels. Serve the kafta wrapped in a warm pita with spiced yogurt or as a centerpiece in a mezze spread for an authentic Lebanese meal!

Ingredients

1 medium yellow onion, quartered
1 cup fresh parsley, stems removed
1 lb ground beef
1 Tbsp Piquant Post Spicy Mint blend
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Notes

Mixing the meat mixture with your hands is the best way to thoroughly mix all the ingredients. For easy clean up, use disposable gloves.

If you prefer to use the grill, grill over high heat, about 4-5 minutes per side.

Optional ingredients add a little character and flavor but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and prepare a large baking sheet with foil.

In a food processor, process onion and fresh parsley until finely chopped (you can also dice with a knife). Add to a medium mixing bowl. Add beef, Piquant Post Spicy Mint, salt, pepper and cayenne to the bowl. Combine well, using your hands.

To form the kebabs, grab a handful of mixture with your hands and mold it around the skewer. The meat around the skewer should be about an inch thick. Place on prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning half way. Serve hot!

Alternatives & Substitutions

Our Spicy Mint blend has a bit of heat in it. If you or family members are sensitive to heat, start by adding a smaller amount to this dish, like 1/2 – 1 tsp. Add more after stirring and tasting.
Try using Spicy Mint in our Lebanese Baba Ganoush, Lebanese Moussaka, our Lebanese Eggplant Salad, or Farro, Pomegranate, and Carrot Tabbouleh recipes for authentic Lebanese flavor.
For other recipes, try these Lebanese Beef Stew or Batata Harra (spicy middle-eastern potatoes), or our Hummus with Lamb (Kawarma).
There are myriad uses for this unique blend. Simply sprinkle over pizza, flatbread, pita, hummus, stews or tomato soup.
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