Description
Savor Middle Eastern kebabs, a delicious journey through aromatic spices and grilled perfection. Tender marinated meats blend traditional flavors, inviting you to experience culinary magic from the heart of the region.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (80% lean / 20% fat)
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground lamb (or substitute with additional beef)
Aromatics and Herbs:
- 1/2 bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 yellow onion, processed
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon 7 spices (baharat)
- 1/2 tablespoon coriander powder
- 1 tablespoon sumac
- 1/2 tablespoon Aleppo pepper
- 1/4 tablespoon black pepper
- 2–3 teaspoons salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Optional:
- Melted butter or ghee for brushing
Instructions
- Thoroughly mince fresh parsley and garlic, combining them with ground meat in a spacious mixing container.
- Pulse onion in a food processor, then transfer to a paper towel and vigorously extract excess moisture, preserving the liquid for later use.
- Incorporate aromatic spices and baking soda into the meat mixture, kneading meticulously until ingredients are uniformly distributed.
- Refrigerate the seasoned mixture for approximately 45 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and protein to firm up for easier shaping.
- Moisten hands with reserved onion liquid to prevent sticking, then carefully mold meat mixture around skewers, ensuring even distribution and compact formation.
- Preheat grill to medium-low heat (around 350°F), positioning kebabs to ensure consistent cooking and prevent charring.
- Grill kebabs for 12-15 minutes, rotating periodically to achieve uniform browning and internal temperature of 160°F for ground meat.
- Optional: Brush with melted clarified butter or ghee during final minutes of grilling to enhance moisture and impart rich, golden exterior.
- Allow kebabs to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from heat, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness.
Notes
- Keep meat cold to maintain protein structure and ensure juicy kebabs by chilling mixture before shaping.
- Use paper towel technique when processing onions to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy kebab texture.
- Add baking soda sparingly to help meat retain moisture and create tender, succulent kebab consistency.
- Try spice blends like za’atar or sumac for authentic Middle Eastern flavor variations without compromising meat’s juiciness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 468
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg