Ground Beef 🥩 Kefta Kebabs 🍢 with Tzatziki Sauce 🥒 Recipe

I can’t get enough of this ground beef kefta kebabs with tzatziki sauce recipe. I enjoy the unique Moroccan flavor this dish brings to the table, and the tzatziki sauce adds a fantastic layer of flavor that pairs perfectly.

A blender or food processor makes crafting the recipe a breeze, but if you don’t have either, you could prepare everything by hand or with a box grater. Just make sure to chop everything very finely so there are no big chunks of anything.

When forming the kebabs, it can be helpful to wet your hands so the meat mixture does not stick to them. I find it easiest to form a ball and then roll it back and forth between my hands to get that classic kebab shape. Then all you have to do is thread it on the skewer and make sure the tip of the skewer is not poking out the end of the kebab.

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 15 minutes before threading the meat onto them so they do not burn as much when grilling.

If you do not have a grill, these kebobs can be cooked in a pan over the stove or baked in the oven. Make sure to add some olive oil to prevent your kebobs from sticking to the pan or baking sheet.

The grilled kebabs can be stored in an air-tight container for about one week in the fridge or frozen for up to three months.

By placing the meat mixture in the fridge before you make the kebabs, you allow the meat mixture to firm up, this will help them retain their shape during the cooking process. This also allows for the flavors of each ingredient to combine, which can make for a more flavorful dining experience.

These kebabs are best served with basmati rice, pita bread, and hummus. Some sliced vegetables like cucumber, tomato, and onion also pair well. If you are eating a low-carb diet, you can substitute the basmati rice with cauliflower rice.

Ground Beef Kefta Kebab Recipe

Difficulty Level:  4 Meatballs

Prep Time:  30 Minutes

Cook Time: 10 Minutes

Servings: 2

• 1 pound of ground beef or lamb
• 1 medium onion, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons of paprika
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons of ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, washed and chopped
• 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, washed and chopped
• ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of fresh mint, washed and chopped

Submerge the wooden skewers in water and let them soak until needed.

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix by hand until well combined.

Refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour or so to let the flavors meld and to let the mixture firm up.

Preheat your grill.

Divide the mixture into 6 portions and mold each into a tubular shape like a sausage.

Thread each onto a skewer.

Just before you grill the kebabs, brush the grill lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Grill the kebabs for about 5 minutes on each side.

Let cool for 5 minutes, serve with tzatziki sauce, and enjoy!

Nutritional Facts: (Per Serving) Calories 627 Protein 40g Fat 46g Total Carbohydrates 10g

Tzatziki Sauce

This tzatziki sauce is so refreshing and delicious you want to put it on more than just your kefta kebobs. This recipe is simple and easy to prepare, and if you don’t like mint, try substituting it for dill.

Cucumbers contain a lot of water, and it is essential to press as much of that water out of the cucumber as possible, or you could end up with a thin, watery sauce. You can do this by placing your chopped cucumber pieces in a strainer and pressing down on them with your hands over a sink. You could press the cucumbers with a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. You can even save the cucumber juice to make a refreshing drink if you like.

Difficulty Level:  1 Meatball

Prep Time:  5 Minutes

Cook Time:  None

Servings: 2

• 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt
• 2 Persian cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of fresh mint (¼ teaspoon dried)
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt

Place all of the ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend until all of the ingredients are combined and forms a smooth, uniform consistency.

Refrigerate the mixture for a minimum of one hour to allow it to thicken before serving.

Nutritional Facts: (Per Serving) Calories 74 Protein 10g Fat .50g Total Carbohydrates 6g