Get your forks ready, because this authentic Lebanese Beef Kefta recipe will easily become one of your favorite meatball recipes! Kefta is cooked on the grill or pan-fried to your liking. I love pairing it with a bed of rice and salad, or roasted potatoes.
If you're looking for ground beef recipes for dinner, look no further than this super simple ground beef recipe that's absolutely packed with Middle Eastern spices that transform this dish!
This Beef Kefta is as easy as adding all the ingredients to a food processor, shaping the mixture, and cooking using your preferred cooking method. You have the choice of grilling or BBQing.
WHAT IS KEFTA?
It's a very popular Lebanese meatball that's used in different variations all over the Middle East. It's made with ground beef and has signature kefta spices that give it it's addicting flavor!
This is one of the most simple ground beef recipes I've ever made, and even better is that I grew up on it and now my entire family loves it!
It's definitely my highest recommendation for healthy, super easy kid friendly ground beef recipes that should be part of your ground beef recipes rotation!
HOW TO MAKE KEFTA
Kefta is made with ground beef meat and sometimes ground lamb, onion, parsley, and many spices to give it a signature Mediterranean flavor. I make mine with fresh herbs like garlic, mint, and parsley.
INGREDIENTS
- Ground Beef. The fattier the better!
- Mint. If you don't have mint on hand here's my list of a substitute for mint.
- Fresh garlic
- Fresh parsley
- Onion
- Signature Middle Eastern spices
Sumac which is a citrusy spice commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine. Allspice, smoked paprika, cinnamon (just a little!), cumin, salt and pepper, creating a flavorful authentic Lebanese ground beef recipe.
Where to find spices:
Step-by-step Instructions:
- In a food processor, pulse the onion, parsley, garlic, and mint until finely chopped.
- Place the ground beef, olive oil, and all the spices in the processor and blend the mixture to combine.
- Transfer to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap to place in the fridge for an hour for the flavors to meld. You can also make the kefta mixture the night before and place it in the fridge at this point.
- Form the ground beef mixture into oval-shaped meatballs. I typically make them about an inch thick.
- Cover and place in the fridge for at least an hour, for the flavors to meld.
- Optional to place on skewers, if you choose to do so, soak the skewers in water for roughly 30 minutes.
- Cook using your preferred cooking method.
HOW TO MAKE INTO KABOBS
To make it into kabobs you will need skewers, either wooden or metal. If you are using wooden skewers don't forget to pre-soak them in water. This is so they don't burn.
Shape the mixture on the skewer, creating one long meatball on each.
WAYS TO COOK IT
You can cook it so many ways, and I provide instructions for every single cooking method! You can use the Air fryer, indoor grill, BBQ, or pan-fry!
Choose your best method or keep reading for my recommended method!
Though, the best way to cook it is on the grill! As you would guess, the grill gives it extra flavor and brings in the most satisfying grill lines that you could literally taste! Yum! If you're able to grill yours, I definitely recommend it.
WAYS TO COOK THEM
- Pan-fry - Add a tablespoon of oil or butter to a pan on medium heat. Cook to your liking. Typically about 4 minutes on each side.
- Outdoor grill - Grill kefta meatballs on each side for 4-5 minutes.
- Indoor Grill (I use Ninja Foodi Air Fryer & Grill - Linked HERE). I love this Air fryer so much! Set grill to High and cook for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. This is the method I used for this recipe, as it was a stormy day at home.
- Air fryer - To cook it in the Air fryer, set it to 370 and cook for 8-10 minutes. Check to make sure the internal temp is 160. The Air fryer I have makes this step easy since it has a thermometer attached.
WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE?
Beef Kefta is a very flavorful Lebanese meatball that's full of fresh herbs and spices. It has a herby, garlicky flavor with a bright zing from the onion and a few dark notes from the cinnamon, smoked paprika, and allspice.
They all come together beautifully and give this dish its signature taste.
WHAT TO PAIR WITH LEBANESE MEATBALLS
Traditionally paired with a delicious bed of rice.
Cook the rice in chicken broth instead of water and add a drop or two of olive oil. Once cooked, plate the rice by spreading it on your plate and then topping it with the Kefta. Sprinkle extra parsley for garnish.
If you prefer not to have rice, another option is to enjoy it with a side of roasted potatoes and roasted veggies. This will be very similar to when placing them on a Kebab, which I also love!
HOW TO FREEZE
Yes! You can freeze it raw or cooked. I typically double or triple my recipe, and freeze extras. It's the best way to feed your family healthy meals when you're short on time.
- To freeze it cooked:
You simply lay them flat on a lined baking sheet and flash freeze for about 45 minutes. Then toss in a ziploc bag and freeze for later use. You can warm frozen Kefta in the Air Fryer or microwave.
- To freeze it raw:
After making the batter, shape and place the pieces on a lined baking sheet. Flash-freeze for 45 minutes, then toss in a ziploc bag and place in the freezer for later use! Thaw overnight and cook per instructions.
MORE LEBANESE RECIPES
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Beef Kefta
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef preferably 70/30
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion quartered
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoon sumac spice
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
Instructions
- To a food processor, add the onion, parsley, garlic, and mint. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add the ground beef, olive oil and all the spices to the processor and blend the mixture to combine.
- Transfer to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap to place in the fridge for an hour for the flavors to incorporate. Or refrigerate overnight.
- Form the kefta into oval-shaped meatballs. I typically make them about an inch thick.
- Optional to place on skewers, if you choose to do so, soak the skewers in water for roughly 30 minutes.
- Cook it using your preferred cooking method.
KEFTA COOKING METHODS
Pan-fry
- Add a tablespoon of oil or butter to a pan on medium heat. Cook to your liking. Typically about 4 minutes on each side.
Outdoor Grill
- Grill these Lebanese meatballs on each side for 4-5 minutes.
Indoor Grill (I use Ninja Foodi Air Fryer & Grill - Linked HERE)
- Set grill to High and cook for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. This is the method I used for this recipe, as it was a stormy day here in the Pacific Northwest.
Notes
- Sumac spice can be purchased on Amazon, here is my link for one!
- If you are using lean ground beef, add an extra tablespoon or two of olive oil.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water while the kefta mixture is in the fridge. Soaking the skewers prevents them from burning.
- Traditionally, we pair this dish with Lebanese rice (more info on the recipe page) Tabouleh salad and of course Hummus and pita! Or you can make roasted veggies and potatoes.
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