Greek Beef Kafta Kabobs


Lunch & Dinner Gut Healthy Appetizers No Seed Oils Eggless High Altitude Summer | Published June 24, 2023 by Mimi Council

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Kaftas are a Lebanese meatball skewer typically made with lean ground beef. I added in Greek spices here including oregano, thyme, and garlic and topped these Greek Beef Kafta Kabobs with grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and Kalamata olives.

If you’re looking for more Greek inspired recipes, check out my Greek Avocado Toast, Chicken Sausage Greek Salad, or my Cinnamon Pecan YiaYia Cookies.

greek beef kafta kabobs

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Meat on a Stick: You will love this insanely easy recipe for meat on a stick! There is nothing better than a simple recipe that’s healthy and delicious. And this recipe for Greek Beef Kafta Kabobs checks all the boxes. Plus, it’s meat on a stick!

Lean Beef: I created this recipe with my friends at Organic Prairie using their 90% Lean Organic Ground Beef. Traditionally, beef kaftas are a Lebanese meatball skewer. But, I added some Greek spices here and topped with them cucumber, grape tomatoes, and Kalamata olives to give them a Greek spin.

Healthy: I serve these Greek Beef Kafta Kabobs with my Lemon Tahini Hummus for a simple appetizer or dinner that is healthy, filling, and so tasty! If you’re looking to make these into more of a meal, you can add pita, rice, or fresh bread more a more complete meal.

A friend of mine was giving me shit recently for not sharing more Greek recipes. We are both Greek and grew up in the same exact neighborhood in Chicago – only to meet when he knocked on my window at the bake shop during Covid just a couple years ago. But, it’s funny how those things happen.

And he’s absolutely right that I don’t share enough Greek recipes on my site! While there are some, there is truly not enough and I make plenty of Greek dishes! So, I’m going to change that. If you have any Greek recipe requests, send them my way. But I have a lot planned already that I know you will love!

greek beef kafta kabobs

Ingredients

Organic Prairie 90% Lean Ground Beef

Organic Yellow Onion

Frontier Co-Op Fine Sea Salt

Organic Lemon

Frontier Co-Op Organic Black Pepper

Spice World Organic Minced Garlic

Frontier Co-Op Organic Oregano

Organic Cucumbers

Frontier Co-Op Organic Thyme

Organic Grape Tomatoes

Carapelli Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Organic Kalamata Olives

greek beef kafta kabobs

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

In a large bowl, add the ground beef, diced onion, lemon juice, sea salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, and thyme. Mix together until combined and the spices are evenly distributed.

Step 2

Divide the meat into 8 portions. Using your hands form each portion into an oblong shape about 1-inch thick. Wrap the meat around a 6-inch skewer. Place on a plate and continue with the rest of the meat.

Step 3

In a large grill pan, or on the grill, heat to medium/high. Add the olive oil to coat the pan.

Step 4

Place the kabobs onto the grill pan and sear, cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, rotating every few minutes to ensure even cooking and grill marks on each side. Serve with hummus, chopped cucumbers, Cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives.

Tips

  • You can soak skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. However, I didn’t do this here and I didn’t have any problems. But, if you do notice skewers are burning, this is a great trick!
  • I used 6-inch skewers. If you want to use larger ones, you can do that and get 4 total instead of 8 total skewers. If using larger ones, it may be easier to form the meat into the middle of the skewer, leaving skewer on each side.
  • I found it's easiest to create the oblong shape of meat first and place it on a platter. Place the skewer into the middle and form the meat around it.
  • You can make these on the grill or in a cast iron skillet. Either way will work! I used a grill cast iron pan, which was super easy.
  • You can add feta on top of these as well, it’s totally delicious this way!
  • You can also serve these with my Homemade Healthy Tzatziki Sauce.
greek beef kafta kabobs

FAQ's

Can I use 85/15 ground beef?

Yes, if that's all you have, you can totally use that! Traditionally, this type of recipe is made with a leaner beef, but this type will work too.

Do I need to soak the skewers?

No, you don't have to. I didn't do it for this recipe, but I shot these when I made them inside in my grill pan. If you make these on the grill, the heat is not as controlled, so the the skewers could burn easier. But, if you don't mind and are feeling lazy, then no worries, don't soak them!

What can I serve these with?

I love serving these with my Homemade Healthy Tzatziki Sauce or my Lemon Tahini Hummus for light Greek inspired dinner. You could also serve these as an appetizer to my Chicken Sausage Greek Salad.

Craving More?

greek beef kafta kabobs

Greek Beef Kafta Kabobs

Mimi Council
This simple recipe for homemade Greek Beef Kafta Kabobs is a healthy appetizer or dinner!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Makes 4 servings
Calories 239 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, add the ground beef, diced onion, lemon juice, sea salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, and thyme. Mix together until combined and the spices are evenly distributed.
  • Divide the meat into 8 portions. Using your hands form each portion into an oblong shape about 1-inch thick. Wrap the meat around a 6-inch skewer. Place on a plate and continue with the rest of the meat.
  • In a large grill pan, or on the grill, heat to medium/high. Add the olive oil to coat the pan.
  • Place the kabobs onto the grill pan and sear, cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, rotating every few minutes to ensure even cooking and grill marks on each side.
  • Serve with hummus, chopped cucumbers, Cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives.

Notes

High Altitude — Follow the recipe as noted.

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 23gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 657mgPotassium: 395mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 16IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 3mg
Want more recipes?Follow along on @mimisorganiceats for more inspiration!

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