Middle Eastern Ground Beef Kebab Recipe

Juicy, well-seasoned, and packed with flavor-this Ground Beef Kebab Recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a Middle Eastern feast. Made with fresh herbs, warm spices, and our homemade Lebanese 7 spice, they're delicious grilled and served with flatbread, hummus, and sumac onion salad.

My husband and I often spend the weekend cooking up a Mediterranean feast, and this Middle Eastern Ground Beef Kebab recipe was a recent highlight. Inspired by traditional Lebanese and Persian flavors, this recipe is easy enough for a casual weeknight dinner but special enough to serve at your next dinner party.

We love pairing them with our creamy hummus, tangy Sumac Onions, and warm Turkish flatbread-simple dishes that create a truly satisfying spread.

Scroll down for step-by-step photos, helpful tips, and fun flavor variations!

Jump to:

• Ingredients You'll Need
• How to Make These Middle Eastern Ground Beef Kebab recipe
• Alternative Ways to Cook Ground Beef Kofta Kebabs
• Flavor Variations and Add-Ins
• Substitutions
• What to Serve with This Middle Eastern Ground Beef Kebab
• Wine Pairings
• Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
• Join Our Newsletter
• FAQ's
• More Middle Eastern Recipes
• Middle Eastern Ground Beef Kebab Recipe

Ingredients You'll Need

This dish is all about bold flavor and fresh ingredients. Here's what you'll need-and why each one matters:

• Onion and garlic cloves - Add savory depth and moisture. Onion helps tenderize the meat while garlic builds flavor. 
• Flat-leaf parsley - Fresh and vibrant, parsley balances the richness of the beef and enhances color.
• Ground beef - Use ground beef with a bit of fat (80/20 or 85/15) for juicy, flavorful kebabs. Here's a guide to choosing the best ground beef.
• Ground allspice and Aleppo pepper (or red pepper flakes) - Allspice adds warm, sweet notes while Aleppo pepper gives gentle heat.
• Lebanese seven-spice (or baharat) - This signature blend brings authentic flavor. Homemade is best!
• Pine nuts - Toasted pine nuts add richness and a light crunch.
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper - Essential for seasoning.
• Olive oil - For brushing the grill or pan and keeping the kebabs from sticking.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make These Middle Eastern Ground Beef Kebab recipe

 Prepare the Herb Mixture

• Add the quartered onion, garlic, and parsley to a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped, scraping down the sides as needed.

Chef's Tip: Grated or finely processed onion helps bind the meat and keeps the kebabs tender

Mix the Kebab Ingredients

• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion-parsley mixture, allspice, Lebanese seven-spice, Aleppo pepper, and toasted pine nuts (if using). Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Use clean hands to mix just until everything is evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing, which can make the kebabs tough.

Shape the Kebabs

• Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. With damp hands, form each portion into a sausage shape around a skewer. Press gently to secure the meat and flatten slightly for even cooking.

Chef's Tip: If you're using wooden or bamboo skewers, always soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes (ideally 1 hour) before grilling. This helps prevent them from burning on the grill or in a hot pan.

Chef's Tip: Chill the shaped kebabs for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) to help them firm up and hold their shape during cooking. Don't skip this step!

Optional Tip: For consistency, each portion should weigh about 80g (3 oz).

Cook the Kebabs

• Preheat a cast iron skillet, grill pan, or BBQ over medium-high heat. Brush lightly with olive oil. Grill the kebabs for about 3-4 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.

Chef's Tip: Don't crowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed to get a good sear.

Chef's Tip: For food safety, the internal temperature should reach 70°C / 160°F. Remove from heat at 65°C / 150°F and let them rest to finish cooking.

Garnish and Serve

Transfer to a serving platter and rest for 2-3 minutes. Scatter over fresh parsley or mint, toasted pine nuts, and pomegranate seeds. Serve with flatbread, dips, and Sumac Onions for the full experience.

Alternative Ways to Cook Ground Beef Kofta Kebabs

These ground beef koftas are delicious grilled, but there are plenty of other ways to cook them depending on your setup and preferences. While we haven't tested all these methods personally, here's what we recommend:

• Stovetop: Use a cast iron skillet or griddle pan, just like in our recipe. Medium-high heat is key for a good sear.
• Over Charcoal: The traditional method! Cook directly over hot coals for an incredible smoky flavor.
• BBQ Grill: Thread onto metal skewers or pre soaked wooden skewers. Cook over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through.
• Oven: Bake on a parchment-lined tray at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Air Fryer: Place kebabs in a single layer and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, turning once.

Flavor Variations and Add-Ins

There are so many ways to make this recipe your own! Here are a few ideas to experiment with:

• Make meatballs or patties instead of skewers-perfect for burgers, wraps, salads, or grain bowls.
• Switch up the spices by adding a spoonful of harissa paste, a sprinkle of sumac, or a pinch of za'atar for a different flavor profile.

Substitutions

This recipe is easy to adapt based on what you have on hand:

• Different meats: Ground beef is classic, but you can swap in ground lamb, turkey, pork, or even chicken. Just keep an eye on the fat content-leaner meats may be drier.
• Spice blends: No Lebanese seven-spice? Try baharat, ras el hanout, or your favorite Mediterranean or Middle Eastern spice mix.
• Nut-free option: Simply skip the pine nuts if you're avoiding nuts-they add texture, but the kebabs are still delicious without them.

What to Serve with This Middle Eastern Ground Beef Kebab

These kebabs are super versatile and pair beautifully with a variety of fresh sides, grains, and sauces. Here are some tasty ideas:

• Salads: Greek salad, red cabbage slaw, Israeli salad, cucumber yogurt salad, fattoush, tabouli, Mediterranean bulgur salad, watermelon & feta salad, or a simple chickpea salad.
• Flatbread: Pita bread or our Turkish Flatbread are both perfect for wrapping or scooping.
• Vegetables: Grilled Mediterranean veggies, roasted eggplant, or fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and thinly sliced red onion.
• Grains: Serve with Lebanese rice, fluffy bulgur wheat, Persian-style rice, basmati rice, or quinoa.
• Sauces and condiments: These kebabs shine with creamy tzatziki, garlicky yogurt sauce, hummus, baba ganoush, haydari, pickled red onions, Middle Eastern pickles, or just a squeeze of lemon.

Wine Pairings

While kebabs are traditionally served with yogurt-based drinks or tea, they also pair beautifully with wine! Here are a few easy picks:

• Grenache or Syrah - Juicy reds that hold up to the spices without overpowering.
• Zinfandel - Great with grilled meat and smoky flavors.
• Rosé - Crisp, fruity, and refreshing-especially if you're serving with salads and dips.
• Dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer - A fun, aromatic white option that plays well with Middle Eastern spices.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

These kebabs are perfect for prepping ahead and work well for meal prep or freezing. Here's how to store and reheat them safely:

• Fridge: Store cooked or uncooked kebabs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Make Ahead: Prepare the kebab mixture and shape onto skewers up to 24 hours in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to cook.
• Freezer Friendly: Freeze uncooked or cooked kebabs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
• How to Reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, in a 350°F (175°C) oven, or in the air fryer until warmed through.
• Ways to Use Leftovers: Tuck them into wraps or pita, chop into a salad, add to a grain bowl, or simmer in tomato sauce for a flavorful stew.

Join Our Newsletter

Love easy, flavor-packed recipes like this one? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly inspiration, seasonal recipes, and behind-the-scenes kitchen tips. No spam-just real food, made simple.

FAQ's

More Middle Eastern Recipes

If you enjoyed these Ground Beef Kebabs, you'll love exploring more flavors from our kitchen. Here are a few reader favorites to try next:

This easy Middle Eastern Ground Beef Kebab Recipe is perfect for any night of the week. Juicy, flavorful, and packed with spices, they're a great way to explore Middle Eastern cooking at home.

If you make this recipe, let us know in the comments below-we love hearing how it turns out! And don't forget to Pin it for later so you can come back anytime.

Print

The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.