5.0 from 12 votes
Kefta Kabob (Ground Beef Kabobs)
This classic grilled Moroccan kefta kabob combines ground beef, shredded onion and fresh herbs and spices served with creamy yogurt sauce. Make this kefta recipe for a quick, flavorful grilled meal.
Prep Time
18 mins
Cook Time
18 mins
Chill Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 28 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 297 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
North African
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef (See Note 1)
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp ground fennel seed
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 medium white onion quartered
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
Tahini Yogurt Sauce
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- 1 lemon (½ grated lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons juice)
- 2 tbsp mint leaves minced
- 1 tbsp Tahini
- 1 tbsp water
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Serving Options
- Moroccan couscous
- tabouli salad
- rice
- warm pita
- 1 lemon cut into wedges for serving
Instructions
- Place the ground beef (and or lamb mix), red pepper flakes, salt, ground fennel, cumin and breadcrumbs in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In a food processor place the onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, mint and process until very finely chopped, scraping down sides of bowl.
- Place in a fine mesh sieve and allow to drain excess liquid. Press with fingers or with back of spoon to extract.
- Transfer mixture to bowl with the ground meats and mix by hands until evenly combined. Chill mixture at least 1 hour.
- Make the Tahini Yogurt Sauce: Zest half of the lemon and then juice it. You need 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- In a bowl whisk together the yogurt, lemon zest and juice, mint, tahini, water, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Prepare grill at 450°F. Clean and lightly oil grill grates.
Cup of Yum
Assembly
- Divide meat mixture into 8 portions and form each portion into a 5”-long sausage shape. Insert a metal skewer lengthwise through each portion.
- Drizzle with olive oil and grill, turning occasionally, until just cooked through, 8–10 minutes total.
- Drizzle tahini yogurt sauce over kefta. Serve over couscous, tabouli salad or rice with warm pita bread and lemon wedges.
Notes
- I use a 80/20 ground beef if I mix it with ground lamb. So if you choose to add lamb, you would use 3/4 lb ground beef and 3/4 lb ground lamb total.
Nutrition Information
Calories
297kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
12g
(4%)
Protein
18g
(36%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
62mg
(21%)
Sodium
339mg
(14%)
Potassium
402mg
(11%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
1025IU
(21%)
Vitamin C
28mg
(31%)
Calcium
84mg
(8%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 297
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 297kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 62mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 339mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 402mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1025IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 28mg | 31% |
| Calcium | 84mg | 8% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.