Middle Eastern Kofta Kebabs Recipe
These Middle Eastern Kofta Kebabs are flavorful ground beef or lamb patties seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices and fresh herbs. Skewered and grilled to perfection, they make a delicious and authentic kebab dish perfect for a hearty meal served alongside rice, flatbread, and sauces like tahini or yogurt.
- Author: Isla
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 kebabs 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb (or a mix of both)
- 1 small onion, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other
- Skewers (wooden or metal)
- Soak Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, and all spices. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape Kebabs: Divide the meat mixture into 6 to 8 equal portions. Mold each portion onto a skewer, shaping into a long, oval kebab shape, ensuring they are compact to hold together while cooking.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat a grill, grill pan, or broiler to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates or pan to prevent sticking.
- Grill Kebabs: Place the skewered koftas on the grill and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides evenly and cook through.
- Serve: Serve the kebabs hot, ideally accompanied by rice, flatbread, and dips such as tahini or yogurt sauce for a complete meal.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Use a mix of beef and lamb for a richer flavor.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to control spice level or omit if preferred mild.
- If no grill is available, broiling in the oven works well as an alternative.
- For extra moisture, avoid overmixing the meat mixture.
Keywords: Kofta, Kebabs, Grilled Meat, Middle Eastern Recipe, Ground Beef, Ground Lamb, Spiced Meat Skewers