These savory beef kafta patties are made with ground sirloin, onion, fresh parsley, and traditional Lebanese spices. Perfect on the grill or under the broiler.
If you aren’t familiar with beef kafta (called kofta in some Middle Eastern countries), it’s basically the Lebanese meatball. And in my household, they disappear when I make them as my boys practically inhale them. Made with traditional Lebanese spices, my Grilled Lebanese Beef Kafta Patties are a great way to enter the world of Middle Eastern food and explore the warm and delicious flavors.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: I use ground sirloin as it’s leaner, but you could use ground chuck, too.
- Onion: White onion is pretty mild, but still adds great flavor and moisture to the patties.
- Parsley: Bright, somewhat peppery, and classic to the kafta dish.
- Lebanese spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice are all warm, woodsy spices that are slightly sweet. They’re a great source of antioxidants and cinnamon specifically has been linked to lower blood sugar.
How to Make Grilled Lebanese Beef Kafta Patties
Start your Grilled Lebanese Beef Kafta Patties by putting your ground beef in a large food processor.
Next add your fresh parsley and onion, cut into wedges.
Then add the cinnamon and allspice.
Followed by the nutmeg and some salt and pepper to taste.
Pulse blend until combined and the onion and parsely are broken up throughout the meat.
Next, use wet or oiled hands to form 12 evenly sized patties.
Take them out to the grill and cook them on high heat for 2-3 mintues per side.
Garnish with additional parsley or fresh mint, and enjoy your Grilled Lebanese Beef Kafta Patties!
Tips From the Chef
- I like to use a different protein. Traditionally, kafta is made with ground lamb. And while a beef kafta is great, I love the tenderness that comes with the lamb!
- Try it as a burger. If you make your patties a little bigger, you could make a kafta burger. Along with traditional toppings like lettuce and tomato, really lean into the Mediterranean flavor by topping with tahini sauce or some tzatziki, and serving in a pita pocket!
Frequently asked questions:
What do you serve with beef kafta?
We love serving these patties with raw onion and bulgur or Lebanese rice pilaf, but many serve it with hummus in a pita, or served with Cucumber Laban Yogurt Sauce.
How do you shape a kafta?
I mimic the shape of a burger patty usually, but you can also make them long, oval shaped and skewer them on a kebab.
Can I freeze cooked kafta?
If you want to make them ahead and freeze them, I’d recommend freezing the formed patty before cooking. Then grill or broil the frozen patty when ready to eat it.
More LEbanese Recipes
- Lebanese Rice Bowls with Hummus
- Shish Tawook Chicken
- Lebanese Green Beans with Tomatoes
- Lebanese Hindbeh
- Vegan Tomato Kibbeh
Eat It, LIke It, Share it!
Did you try this recipe and like it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag@thelemonbowland #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your meal.
For a taste of classic Lebanese flavor, you can’t go wrong with my Grilled Lebanese Beef Kafta Patties. Serve it over rice pilaf like I did, or wrapped in a pita with some hummus. Let me know how you chose to serve it in a comment!
Your fork is waiting.
Grilled Lebanese Beef Kafta Patties
4.50 stars average
These savory kafta patties are made with ground beef, onion, fresh parsley and traditional Lebanese spices. Perfect on the grill or under the broiler.
PREP: 10 minutes mins
COOK: 8 minutes mins
TOTAL: 18 minutes mins
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ServingsServes: 4
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sirloin (or lamb or turkey)
- 1 medium onion (quartered)
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Pre-heat grill or broiler to high heat.
Place all ingredients in a food processor or high speed blender and pulse until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
Using wet hands, form into 12 evenly sized, small patties.
Spray grill with non-stick grilling spray and grill patties for 2-3 minutes per side, turning once for medium-rare. Cook longer for well done.
Serve over bulgur wheat or rice pilaf.
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Nutrition
Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.7g | Protein: 23.8g | Fat: 12.2g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7.2g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 958mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1.6g
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Hi, I’m Liz!
Hey there, I’m Liz Della Croce and I’m thrilled to have you here! My aim is to motivate and ignite your passion for cooking amazing meals for your loved ones. I believe in the power of real, wholesome ingredients that are bursting with flavor and won’t break the bank. Whether it’s a traditional Lebanese recipe from my family or a culinary creation from across the globe, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that nutritious food can be exciting, affordable, and easy to prepare.
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