Description
A juicy, herb-packed grilled meatball recipe featuring ground lamb or beef, fresh parsley, mint, and aromatic spices. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or summer barbecues.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground lamb or beef (or a 50/50 mix), room temperature
- 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 tablespoons panko or standard breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes. If using metal skewers, chill them in the fridge for 15 minutes. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Finely chop the parsley and mint. Grate the onion and squeeze out excess liquid using a kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Mince the garlic.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, squeezed onion, garlic, herbs, breadcrumbs, and spices. Knead the mixture by hand for about 5 minutes to bind the proteins.
- Take a portion of meat (size of a large golf ball) and shape it into a cylinder. Thread it onto a skewer, pressing firmly to create a 6-8 inch sausage-like shape without air pockets.
- Place shaped skewers on a plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Brush skewers lightly with vegetable oil. Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side until charred and cooked through. Internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) for beef or 165°F (74°C) for lamb.
- Remove from grill and let rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
Notes
Ensure you squeeze all liquid from the grated onion to prevent the kafta from falling apart. Knead the meat mixture thoroughly for 5 minutes to develop proteins that act as a binder. Do not press down on the meat while grilling to retain juices. For a vegetarian option, substitute meat with lentils and chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers per servin
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 22
Keywords: Lebanese kafta, grilled meatballs, lamb recipe, beef recipe, summer grilling, Middle Eastern food, easy dinner, protein-rich meal