Grilled Kebab Skewers
These succulent, spice-marinated ground beef skewers are a Middle Eastern staple, perfect for a flavorful and smoky backyard grill session.
Ingredients
- •1.5 lbs (700g) ground beef (20% fat content)
- •1 medium yellow onion, finely grated and squeezed of excess liquid
- •3 cloves garlic, minced
- •1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- •1 teaspoon ground cumin
- •1 teaspoon ground coriander
- •1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- •1 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- •8-10 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and all the dry spices.
- 2
Using your hands, knead the mixture thoroughly for 3-5 minutes until the meat becomes slightly tacky and uniform in texture.
- 3
Divide the meat mixture into 8 to 10 equal portions and shape each into an elongated, sausage-like log.
- 4
Gently thread each meat log onto a soaked wooden skewer, pressing the meat firmly around the stick to ensure it stays secure.
- 5
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
- 6
Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meat is browned, slightly charred, and cooked through.
- 7
Remove from the grill and let the kebabs rest for 3 minutes before serving.
💡 Chef tips
- Squeezing the liquid out of the grated onion is crucial; it prevents the meat from falling off the skewers during grilling.
- If you don't have a grill, you can cook these in a heavy-bottomed grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat.
- Serve these kebabs with warm pita bread, tahini sauce, and a fresh cucumber-tomato salad for a complete meal.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished kebabs should have a beautiful charred exterior with a juicy, aromatic interior that smells of warm spices and fresh herbs.