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Savory Middle Eastern Kofta Kebabs

Seasoned ground meat molded onto skewers and grilled, baked, or pan-fried for flavorful Middle Eastern kebabs perfect for dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef or lamb lean beef is a lighter alternative
  • 1 medium onion finely grated
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or allspice
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for coating skewers
  • 6 pieces wooden skewers soaked for 30 minutes

Equipment

  • grill or grill pan
  • large mixing bowl
  • Wooden skewers
  • Baking sheet (for oven method)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If baking, set your oven to 400°F.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until evenly distributed without overworking the meat.
  3. Remove soaked skewers from water and coat lightly with olive oil. Divide meat mixture into 6 equal portions.
  4. Mold each portion around a skewer, creating an oblong shape about 5-6 inches long and 1 inch thick. Press firmly to ensure meat adheres well to the skewer.
  5. For grilling or pan-frying: Cook kebabs for 8-10 minutes total, turning every 2-3 minutes to brown all sides evenly. For baking: Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, turning once halfway through.
  6. Let kebabs rest for 5 minutes before serving. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice to brighten flavors.

Notes

Storage: Store cooked kebabs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat at 350°F for 10-12 minutes covered with foil. Freezing: Freeze uncooked kebabs on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before cooking. Make-Ahead: Form kebabs on skewers up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate covered. Bring to room temperature 15 minutes before cooking. Serve with pita bread, tzatziki sauce, hummus, basmati rice, or Mediterranean chopped salad for a complete meal.