Middle Eastern Kofta Kebabs Recipe
These Middle Eastern Kofta Kebabs are flavorful ground beef or lamb skewers seasoned with aromatic spices and fresh herbs, grilled to perfection. Perfectly charred on the outside and juicy inside, they make a delicious main course, traditionally served with rice, flatbread, and a yogurt or tahini sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 kebabs 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Prepare 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 with grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley and cilantro, and all the spices—cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until everything is well incorporated.
- Shape Kebabs: Divide the meat mixture into 6 to 8 equal portions. Mold each portion onto a skewer, shaping it into a long, oval kebab shape to ensure even cooking.
- Preheat Grill or Broiler: Heat a grill, grill pan, or broiler to medium-high. Lightly oil the grill grates or pan to prevent sticking.
- Cook Kebabs: Grill the kebabs for about 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are evenly browned and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) for beef or lamb.
- Serve: Serve the kofta kebabs hot accompanied by rice, flatbread, or a side of tahini or yogurt sauce for an authentic Middle Eastern meal.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- You can use all beef, all lamb, or a combination for different flavor profiles.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control the spiciness according to your preference.
- These kebabs can also be cooked under a broiler if a grill isn’t available.
- Rest the cooked kebabs for a few minutes before serving to retain juices.
Keywords: Kofta, Kebabs, Middle Eastern, Ground Beef, Ground Lamb, Grilled Meat, Skewers, Spiced Meat
