Authentic Lebanese Kafta Kebab with Fresh Sumac Biwaz Salad
Juicy, spiced ground lamb and beef skewers infused with finely minced fresh parsley, sweet onions, and aromatic Lebanese 7-spice, grilled over blazing coals and served over fresh sumac-parsley biwaz salad and warm pita.
Ingredients
Lebanese Kafta Mixture
- 500g ground lamb & 300g ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 large yellow onion, exceedingly finely minced
- 1.5 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely minced
- 1.5 tsp Lebanese 7-spice mix
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon & 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
- 1.5 tsp sea salt & 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Fresh Biwaz Salad (Parsley-Onion Garnish)
- 1 large white or red onion, very thinly sliced into half-moons
- 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1.5 tbsp ground wild sumac
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil & pinch of sea salt
Accompaniments
- Warm Lebanese flatbreads
- Creamy hummus dip
- Charred plum tomatoes and mild green chili peppers
Instructions
Prep Onions and Parsley
Finely mince the onion and parsley in a food processor, pulsing carefully so it does not turn watery. Squeeze out excess liquid from the onion using a paper towel.
Knead the Kafta Meat
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground meats, minced onion, parsley, 7-spice, cinnamon, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper. Knead vigorously for 3-4 minutes until the meat turns tacky and holds together firmly.
Shape onto Skewers
Divide the meat into 8 equal portions. Mold each portion tightly onto flat metal or soaked wooden skewers, forming elongated cylindrical sausage shapes about 1-inch thick.
Make the Biwaz Salad
Rub the sliced onions with sumac, olive oil, and salt between your fingertips to soften them, then toss with whole parsley leaves.
Grill over High Heat
Grill the kafta skewers over hot charcoal or a smoking grill pan for 8-10 minutes, rotating frequently until lightly charred on the outside and wonderfully juicy inside. Serve over a bed of biwaz salad with warm pita and hummus.
Nutrition Facts
* Based on a 2,000 calorie diet.