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Two pita sandwiches filled with beef kofta, cherry tomatoes, tabbouleh, and tzatziki.

Beef Kafta

Beef Kafta combines lean ground beef with warm Mediterranean spices for a mouthwatering dinner that's great on its own or in a pita sandwich!
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 265kcal

Ingredients
 

For the kafta:

  • 2 slices white sandwich bread
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion (grated)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced or grated)
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 Tablespoon allspice
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • 2 eggs (lightly beaten)

To serve:

  • Warmed/Toasted/Grilled Pita Bread
  • Tabbouleh
  • Cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • Chopped red onion
  • Tzatziki sauce

Instructions

  • Place the sandwich bread in a small bowl and cover with water. Set aside to soak while you continue with the recipe.
  • In a large bowl, combine beef, onion, garlic, parsley, allspice, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to gently toss the mixture together.
  • Remove the bread from the water and squeeze it to get rid of any excess water. Tear it into small pieces and add it to the meat. Add the beaten egg and again use your hands to combine the mixture until it's well mixed. Shape the meat into patties or football shapes, or shape it onto skewers and place on a baking sheet. Refrigerate overnight or for at least an hour.
  • To cook, preheat the grill to medium high heat or heat a cast iron skillet with a bit of oil to medium heat. Add the patties to the grill and cook for 7-8 minutes a side or until cooked through. Remove from heat.
  • To serve, place the patties in warmed pita bread with tabbouleh salad, sliced tomatoes, and red onion. Drizzle with tzatziki sauce.

Notes

  • Make ahead– These kafta kebabs are actually best prepared ahead of time! The kebabs can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the fridge. I like to make them in the morning, then dinner time is a breeze! Cooked kebabs will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge.
  • Reheating– Reheat in the microwave for about one minute or in a covered skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
  • Freezing kafta kebabs– Cooked kababs can also be frozen up to 3 months and should be thawed before reheating.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean
Keyword beef kafta

Nutrition

Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 941mg | Potassium: 626mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 511IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 5mg
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