Description
Egyptian Kofta Kebab is a flavorful and traditional dish made from ground beef or lamb mixed with aromatic spices, fresh parsley, onion, and garlic. The mixture is shaped into long kebabs and grilled to perfection, resulting in juicy, tender meat with a smoky char. Perfect for a hearty meal, these kebabs capture the essence of Egyptian cuisine with simple ingredients and bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 500 grams ground beef or lamb
- 1 finely grated onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Optional Ingredients
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Lemon juice (to taste)
- Grated zucchini (for extra moisture and texture)
- Grated bell peppers (for additional flavor and color)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Gather all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and combine the ground meat with grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of spices and herbs throughout the meat mixture.
- Shape Kebabs: Shape the mixture into elongated kebabs, approximately 4-6 inches long. This helps the meat cook evenly and gives the kebabs their traditional shape.
- Marinate: Place the shaped kebabs in the refrigerator and marinate for a few hours or overnight. This step enhances the flavors as the spices penetrate the meat more deeply.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. To prevent sticking, brush the grill grates with olive oil or use a well-oiled grill basket.
- Grill Kebabs: Grill the kebabs for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are nicely charred on the outside and cooked through inside. Turn carefully to maintain their shape and prevent breaking.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh ground meat with a moderate fat content (15-20%) to keep kebabs juicy.
- Adding grated vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers can add moisture and a subtle sweetness to the kebabs.
- Marinating overnight will intensify the flavors but marinating at least 2 hours is sufficient if short on time.
- Serve with fresh lemon wedges, flatbreads, tahini sauce, or a side salad for a traditional experience.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the kebabs on a stovetop grill pan or under a broiler.
