Authentic Lebanese Beef Kafta is one of the most popular Middle Eastern recipes, known for its bold flavors, juicy texture, and simple ingredients. These grilled ground beef kebabs are made with fresh parsley, onions, garlic, and warm spices, then shaped onto skewers and grilled until perfectly charred and juicy.

Kafta is a staple in Lebanese cuisine and is often served with pita bread, hummus, rice, or salad. The secret to authentic kafta is the balance of meat, herbs, and spices, which creates an incredibly flavorful kebab without needing complicated ingredients.

Whether you grill them outdoors, cook them in a grill pan, or bake them in the oven, Lebanese beef kafta is an easy and delicious meal that’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or gatherings.

What Is Lebanese Kafta?

Kafta (also spelled kofta or kefta) is a Middle Eastern dish made from ground meat mixed with herbs, onions, and spices. In Lebanon, kafta is commonly made with beef or lamb and shaped into logs on skewers before grilling.

There are many variations of kafta across the Middle East, but Lebanese kafta is known for its simple seasoning and high parsley content, which gives it a fresh and aromatic flavor.

Ingredients

1 lb (500g) ground beef (or beef and lamb mix)
1 small onion, very finely chopped
½ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon olive oil
Skewers

Instructions

Prepare the Onion and Parsley
Finely chop the onion and parsley. For best texture, you can pulse them in a food processor. Squeeze out excess liquid from the onion so the kafta holds together.
Mix the Kafta
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, allspice, paprika, cumin, and olive oil. Mix well until fully combined.
Shape the Kafta
Take a handful of the mixture and shape it into a long oval around a skewer, pressing firmly so it holds its shape.
Grill the Kafta
Grill on medium-high heat for about 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully cooked and slightly charred on the outside.
Serve
Serve hot with pita bread, hummus, salad, and tahini sauce.

Oven Method (No Grill)

If you don’t have a grill, you can bake kafta:

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C)
Place kafta on a baking sheet
Bake for 15–18 minutes
Broil for 2–3 minutes for a grilled look

Tips for Juicy Kafta

Use Meat with Some Fat
Lean meat can make kafta dry. Use 80/20 beef for best results.

Chop Ingredients Very Fine
This helps the kafta hold together and cook evenly.

Don’t Overmix
Overmixing makes the meat tough.

Wet Your Hands When Shaping
This prevents the meat from sticking to your hands.

How to Serve Lebanese Kafta

Lebanese kafta is often served with:

Pita bread
Hummus
Tahini sauce
Lebanese rice
Tomato and cucumber salad
Pickles
Grilled vegetables

You can also make kafta wraps by placing the grilled kafta in pita with tomatoes, onions, parsley, and tahini sauce.

Storage and Meal Prep

Refrigerator: Store cooked kafta for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze uncooked kafta for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Reheat in a pan or oven until warm.

Kafta is great for meal prep and can be used in bowls, wraps, or salads throughout the week.

Authentic Kafta Spice Blend

Traditional Lebanese kafta typically includes:

Allspice
Black pepper
Cinnamon (sometimes)
Paprika
Cumin (optional)

This combination gives kafta its warm, rich Middle Eastern flavor.

Final Thoughts

Authentic Lebanese Beef Kafta is a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish that brings the taste of Middle Eastern grilling to your kitchen. With fresh parsley, onions, garlic, and warm spices, these juicy grilled kebabs are easy to make and perfect for serving with pita, rice, or salad.

This recipe is great for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prep because it’s affordable, easy, and packed with flavor. Once you try homemade Lebanese kafta, it will quickly become one of your favorite grilled recipes.