Grilled Lebanese Beef Kafta Patties

Name: Grilled Lebanese Beef Kafta Patties
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 18 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground sirloin (or lamb or turkey); 1 medium onion (quartered); 1 cup fresh parsley; 2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Table of Contents

1 Ingredients
2 How to Make Grilled Lebanese Beef Kafta Patties
3 Frequently asked questions:
4 More LEbanese Recipes
5 Eat It, LIke It, Share it!
6 Grilled Lebanese Beef Kafta Patties

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.

Grilled Lebanese beef kafta patties over rice pilaf.

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, but you could use ground chuck or even lamb or turkey!
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.

Onion and parsley added to 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.

Garnishing grilled lebanese beef kafta patties

Garnish with additional parsley, and enjoy your Grilled Lebanese Beef Kafta Patties!

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

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 @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your meal.

Liz eating grilled Lebanese beef kafta patties.

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!

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