This Lebanese Kafta is Juicy Herb-Infused Patties and comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pan for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Trust me; this dish is a total crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients Breakdown
Let’s gather our ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need for these amazing kafta patties:
1 lb Ground Beef or Lamb: You can mix both for a richer flavor or substitute with lean ground turkey or chicken if you’re going for a healthier option!
1 medium Grated Onion: Make sure to drain it well to prevent excess moisture from affecting the mixture, nobody wants soggy kafta!
1 cup Chopped Parsley: This adds a pop of freshness! If you’re not a fan, you can totally go with cilantro.
2 cloves Minced Garlic: You can adjust this based on your garlic love. Bonus points if you use fresh!
1 tsp Cumin: This spice brings a warm, earthy flavor.
1 tsp Allspice: It sounds fancy, but it adds a warm sweetness that complements the meat beautifully.
1 tsp Salt: Essential for enhancing flavor; don’t skip this!
1/2 tsp Pepper: Adjust this to your taste, of course.
1/4 tsp Cayenne: Totally optional here, but if you like a little heat, sprinkle it in!
2 tbsp Olive Oil: This is perfect for cooking up your kafta, adding a nice richness.
1 medium Lemon: For added brightness, your taste buds will thank you!
4 pieces Pita or Rice: This is perfect for serving; they soak up all the delicious juices!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step 1: Mix It Up!
In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion (drained, of course!), chopped parsley, minced garlic, cumin, allspice, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using). Get in there with your hands and mix until everything is well combined. You want it to feel a bit tacky but shouldn’t stick too much.
Step 2: Shaping the Patties
Once everything is mixed well, take a handful of the mixture and form it into oval patties, about the size of a palm. You should get about 8-10 patties out of this mixture. Set them aside on a plate while you heat up the pan.
Step 3: Heat It Up
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the kafta patties, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Go for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they’re beautifully browned and cooked through. The smell here? Absolutely incredible!
Step 4: Serve It Right
When they’re done, squeeze the lemon juice over the patties for that fresh zing. Trust me, the citrus really brightens every bite. Serve on a warm pita with your favorite toppings, like yogurt, salad, or even homemade tahini sauce. So, so good!
If you loved this quick and easy Lebanese Kafta recipe, be sure to check out my Lebanese Spicy Potatoes (Batata Harra), my One Pot Chicken Shawarma Rice, or my Baba Ganoush!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you’re scrambling for dinner ideas! No need for complicated steps or a long list of equipment here.
Crowd-Pleaser
Trust me, the whole family will love it! Kids will appreciate the juicy patties, and adults will revel in the flavor and herbiness; it’s a win-win!
Customizable
You can easily switch up the herbs and spices. Maybe you want a bit of mint or dill? Go for it! You can tailor it to suit your family’s taste buds perfectly.
Comfort Food
This is loaded with tons of flavor and everything you crave in a comforting meal. With each bite, you get the fragrant herbs, the savory meat, and it’s just, I don’t know, so satisfying.
Meal Prep Friendly
Want to prep for the week? Absolutely! You can make a big batch of these kafta patties and store them for meal prep. Just cook them, let them cool, and then store them in an airtight container, and you’re set!
Serving Suggestions
These kafta patties are perfect when served with warm pita, a side of rice, or even over a tossed salad for a lighter option! Consider adding:
- Sliced cucumbers
- Fresh tomatoes
- A drizzle of yogurt or tahini sauce
- Sautéed veggies
How to Store
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Just make sure you store them in an airtight container.
Reheating Instructions
When it comes to reheating, I recommend doing so in a skillet over medium heat to retain that lovely texture. You can also zap them in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes until heated through. They’re not freezer-friendly, sadly, due to the texture of the patties, you want them fresh!
All said and done, this Lebanese Kafta dish is bound to become a family favorite in your household, just like it has in mine. Enjoy the deliciousness and let the flavors transport you straight to the heart of Lebanon!
Happy cooking! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Easy Lebanese Kafta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 patties 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
Description
Juicy herb-infused patties that come together in about 30 minutes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef or Lamb
- 1 medium Grated Onion
- 1 cup Chopped Parsley
- 2 cloves Minced Garlic
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Allspice
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne (optional)
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 medium Lemon
- 4 pieces Pita or Rice
Instructions
- Mix the ground meat, grated onion, chopped parsley, minced garlic, cumin, allspice, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl until combined.
- Shape the mixture into oval patties, about the size of a palm.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the kafta patties; cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through.
- Serve the patties with lemon juice squeezed on top, in warm pita accompanied by your favorite toppings.
Notes
Feel free to switch up the herbs and spices to tailor the flavor to your preference. This dish can also be made ahead for meal prep and reheated when needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg