Description
This Spicy Beef Armenian Kefta recipe features succulent ground beef seasoned with aromatic spices, grilled to perfection on skewers and served with creamy tahini sauce and refreshing tzatziki. A perfect blend of Middle Eastern flavors, this dish pairs wonderfully with pita bread or a fresh salad, making it an ideal meal for gatherings or a flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Kefta
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Tahini Sauce
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
Tzatziki
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Kefta Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, ground cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground allspice, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Shape the Kefta: Divide the meat mixture into 8 equal portions. Take each portion and mold it lengthwise around a soaked wooden skewer into a long sausage-like shape, ensuring it is compact and firm to hold together during grilling.
- Grill the Kefta: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the kefta skewers on the grill and cook for approximately 4–5 minutes on each side, turning carefully until the meat is fully cooked through and shows a slight char for enhanced flavor.
- Make the Tahini Sauce: While the kefta is grilling, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, and salt in a bowl until smooth. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding more water if necessary to make it creamy yet pourable.
- Prepare the Tzatziki: In a separate bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, minced garlic, chopped fresh dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Once the kefta is grilled to perfection, serve them hot accompanied by the prepared tahini sauce and chilled tzatziki. Optionally, include pita bread or a fresh salad on the side for a complete meal.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spiciness level according to your preference.
- Soaking wooden skewers before grilling helps prevent them from burning during cooking.
- If you do not have a grill, these kefta skewers can also be cooked in a skillet or broiled in the oven for similar results.
Keywords: Spicy beef kefta, Armenian kefta, grilled beef skewers, tahini sauce, tzatziki, Middle Eastern meat skewers, kebabs