Dinner

Beef Kafta Recipe

Name: Beef Kafta Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: ¼ cup parsley; 1 small yellow onion (quartered); 1 pound ground beef; 2 teaspoons 7 spice blend; ½ teaspoon cumin; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon coriander; ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper (to taste)

Byrami Hayes January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

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Introduction

Beef Kafta is a flavorful Middle Eastern dish made from spiced ground beef, herbs, and aromatic spices. These juicy, grilled meat patties are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing barbecue. Serve them with fresh sides for a delicious, satisfying meal.

A white plate holds a meal with three parts: on the left side, there is a layer of light brown cooked rice filling half the plate; on top of the rice, two grilled, oval-shaped meat pieces with dark grill marks are placed side by side, sprinkled with fresh green herbs. On the right side of the plate, a fresh salad spreads across, made with bright green spinach and lettuce leaves, large slices of red tomato, light green cucumber slices with dark green skin, and thin white onion strips, all mixed together. The plate rests on a white marbled surface with a light gray cloth beneath it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

¼ cup parsley
1 small yellow onion (quartered)
1 pound ground beef
2 teaspoons 7 spice
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon coriander
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Place the parsley in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, then remove and set aside.
Step 2: In the same food processor bowl, pulse the quartered onion until finely chopped. Drain the onions slightly to remove excess moisture.
Step 3: Return the chopped parsley to the food processor with the onions. Add the ground beef and all the spices. Pulse once or twice until the mixture is well combined and forms a pasty texture.
Step 4: Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and shape into oblong patties about 1 inch thick. This recipe makes about 12 patties. You can form them around wooden skewers or shape them without.
Step 5: Grease the grates of a gas grill or indoor grill pan and preheat to medium-high heat. When hot, grill the kafta for 4-5 minutes per side, adjusting the time based on your preferred doneness.
Step 6: Serve the kafta hot off the grill with your choice of sides such as rice, salad, or pita bread.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading meat onto them to prevent burning.
You can substitute ground lamb for beef for a richer taste.
Add a little garlic or chopped mint to the mixture for added aroma and freshness.
Serve with a drizzle of tahini sauce or garlic yogurt for a classic touch.

Storage

Store leftover beef kafta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven to maintain juiciness. You can also freeze uncooked patties for up to 1 month; thaw completely before cooking.

How to Serve

The dish shows five brown grilled meat kebabs arranged in a row on a large white oval plate with a faint blue floral pattern around the edges. The kebabs are placed on a bed of fluffy white rice with some toasted golden strands mixed in. A sprinkle of fresh green chopped herbs is spread evenly over the meat, adding a pop of color. Two silver spoons rest on the left side of the plate, touching the rice. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with a white and blue striped cloth partially underneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make kafta without a food processor?

Yes, you can finely chop the parsley and onion by hand and then mix all ingredients thoroughly in a bowl. It may take a bit more effort but will work well.

What is 7 spice and where can I find it?

7 spice is a Middle Eastern blend often including cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, coriander, cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom. You can find it in specialty spice shops or online, or try mixing your own using common spices.