Bring the warm and aromatic flavors of the Middle East to your kitchen with this Lebanese Beef Kafta recipe. Juicy, well-seasoned, and incredibly satisfying, kafta is a beloved dish made with ground beef, fresh herbs, onion, and fragrant spices shaped onto skewers or formed into patties.

This version highlights Natural Plus Green pantry spices like cumin, coriander seed, black pepper, and cinnamon, creating a beautifully balanced flavor profile that is savory, slightly warm, and deeply aromatic. Perfect for grilling, pan-searing, or baking, Lebanese kafta is a versatile dish that pairs wonderfully with rice, flatbread, salad, or yogurt sauce.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (80–85% lean works best)

• 1 small onion, finely grated

• ½ cup NPG Freeze-Dried Parsley Flakes

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon NPG Cumin

• ½ teaspoon NPG Coriander Seed, ground

• ¼ teaspoon NPG Cinnamon, ground from NPG Cinnamon Sticks

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

Optional:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon paprika (optional for color)

Directions

1. Prepare the Aromatics

Finely grate the onion and mince the garlic. Chop the parsley finely so it blends well with the meat mixture.

2. Mix the Kafta

In a large bowl, combine:

• ground beef

• grated onion

• garlic

• parsley

• cumin

• coriander

• cinnamon

• black pepper

• salt

Mix gently with your hands until the ingredients are evenly combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the kafta tender.

3. Shape the Kafta

Divide the mixture into equal portions and shape into:

• oval patties
• sausage-shaped logs
• or press onto skewers for grilling

4. Cook the Kafta

Grill Method (Traditional)

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

• Grill for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally until cooked through.

Pan Method

• Heat a skillet with a little olive oil.

• Cook for 4–5 minutes per side until browned and fully cooked.

5. Serve

Serve warm with:

• warm pita bread

• rice or bulgur

• fresh salad

• garlic yogurt sauce or tahini sauce

Serving Ideas

Lebanese Beef Kafta is incredibly versatile and can be served in many delicious ways:

• Wrapped in pita with tomatoes and yogurt sauce
• Served over rice with grilled vegetables
• As part of a Middle Eastern mezze platter
• Paired with hummus and fresh cucumber salad

Tips for Perfect Kafta

• Finely grate the onion so it blends smoothly into the meat.
• Let the mixture rest for 10–15 minutes before cooking to help flavors develop.
• Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the texture juicy.
• If grilling on skewers, lightly oil the skewers to prevent sticking.

If you love bold, aromatic dishes made with simple ingredients, this Lebanese Beef Kafta recipe is a must-try. Using Natural Plus Green spices makes it easy to bring authentic flavor into your home kitchen.

Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or preparing a flavorful meal for guests, this recipe delivers authentic Middle Eastern comfort with simple ingredients.