Easy Lebanese Kafta with Ground Beef

Easy Lebanese Kafta

Easy Lebanese Kafta is a crispy and juicy recipe that brings Middle Eastern flavor to your kitchen. I’ve made this many times and know how to get the best texture. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Pair it with any of our low-carb recipes. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sheet Pan Hot Honey Garlic Chicken and Fluffy Blueberry Cloud Bread.

Juicy ground beef kafta with spices and herbs on a plate
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Why This Easy Lebanese Kafta with Ground Beef Is Pure Comfort

  • Juicy texture
  • Flavorful spices
  • Easy to make
  • Perfect for meals

What You'll Need for Easy Lebanese Kafta with Ground Beef

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Cumin
  • Paprika
  • Garlic
  • Parsley
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Optional: Lemon wedges
  • Optional: Tzatziki sauce
  • Optional: Hummus
  • Optional: Fresh herbs
Raw ground beef, onions, parsley, cumin, and paprika in a bowl

📝 Ingredient Notes

  • Ground beef: Use 85% lean ground beef for best texture.
  • Onion: Chop finely to mix evenly.
  • Parsley: Fresh is best, but dried can work in a pinch.
  • Cumin: Use ground cumin for the right flavor.
  • Paprika: Sweet paprika adds a nice balance.

🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend

Perfectly grilled kafta on a plate with fresh parsley

How to Make Easy Lebanese Kafta with Ground Beef

  1. Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, mix ground beef, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Form Patties: Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Shape into oval patties.
  3. Cook Patties: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
  4. Rest and Serve: Let rest 5 minutes. Serve with lemon, tzatziki, or your favorite sides.
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Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Lebanese Kafta with Ground Beef

  • Best technique: Mix gently to avoid compacting the meat.
  • Common mistake and fix: Overmixing leads to dense kafta. Fold ingredients together gently.
  • Storage: Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Serving: Serve with warm pita or rice for a complete meal.

Storing & Reheating Easy Lebanese Kafta with Ground Beef

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. 3 days Make-ahead tip: Form patties and refrigerate up to 24 hours before cooking

Freezing Easy Lebanese Kafta with Ground Beef

2 months

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: 350°F for 10–15 minutes Microwave: 1–2 minutes on high

Recipe Notes

  • Chef tip: For extra flavor, add a bit of olive oil to the mixture.
  • Best substitution: Use lamb instead of beef for a traditional version.
  • Make-ahead: Patties can be frozen before cooking.
  • Scaling: Double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
  • Troubleshooting: If meat is too dry, add 1–2 tablespoons of water or broth.

Want to level up this recipe?

Mixing Bowl — Ensures even seasoning distribution → Check price on Amazon

Easy Lebanese Kafta with Ground Beef

Perfectly grilled kafta on a plate with fresh parsley
⏱
Prep
15 min
🍳
Cook
12 min
⏳
Total
27 min
🍽
Serves
8 servings

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Seasonings

  • Cumin
  • Paprika
  • Garlic
  • Parsley
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Optional Toppings

  • Lemon wedges
  • Tzatziki sauce
  • Hummus
  • Fresh herbs

Instructions

  1. Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, mix ground beef, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Form Patties: Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Shape into oval patties.
  3. Cook Patties: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
  4. Rest and Serve: Let rest 5 minutes. Serve with lemon, tzatziki, or your favorite sides.

Notes

  • Chef tip: For extra flavor, add a bit of olive oil to the mixture.
  • Best substitution: Use lamb instead of beef for a traditional version.
  • Make-ahead: Patties can be frozen before cooking.
  • Scaling: Double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
  • Troubleshooting: If meat is too dry, add 1–2 tablespoons of water or broth.

Storage

  • Fridge: 3 days
  • Freezer: 2 months
  • Oven reheat: 350°F for 10–15 minutes
  • Microwave reheat: 1–2 minutes on high
  • Make ahead: Form patties and refrigerate up to 24 hours before cooking

Nutrition Per Serving

  • Calories: 350
  • Protein: 25g
  • Fat: 22g
  • Carbs: 1g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Cholesterol: 80mg
  • Sat. Fat: 8g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Easy Lebanese Kafta with Ground Beef FAQs

Can I make this ahead?

Yes, shape the patties and refrigerate up to 24 hours before cooking.

Why did my kafta turn out dry?

Overcooking or using too lean beef can lead to dry results. Cook to 160°F and use 85% lean beef.

Can I freeze kafta?

Yes, cook first, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Can I use an air fryer?

Yes, cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.

What is the best substitute for beef?

Lamb or turkey can work, but beef provides the best texture and flavor.

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Easy Lebanese Kafta with Ground Beef and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!

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