Lebanese Spiced Beef Kofta Skewers with Sumac Onions
Grilled beef kofta seasoned with warm spices and served alongside tangy sumac-spiced onions for a flavorful Middle Eastern experience. This middle eastern-inspired beef ready in about 32 minutes pairs (80% lean) ground beef, small, finely grated onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (80% lean) ground beef
- 1 small, finely grated onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp sumac powder
- 1 medium, thinly sliced red onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 1 finely grated small onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 2: Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each around a soaked wooden skewer into an elongated sausage shape.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates. Grill the kofta skewers for 4-5 minutes per side until evenly browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: While the kofta cooks, in a small bowl toss 1 thinly sliced medium red onion with 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp sumac powder, and 2 tbsp olive oil. Let sit for 10 minutes to soften and develop flavor.
- Step 5: Serve the hot kofta skewers with the sumac onions on the side, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lebanese Spiced Beef Kofta Skewers with Sumac Onions take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (20 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Lebanese Spiced Beef Kofta Skewers with Sumac Onions?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (80% lean) ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lebanese Spiced Beef Kofta Skewers with Sumac Onions?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Lebanese Spiced Beef Kofta Skewers with Sumac Onions for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Lebanese Spiced Beef Kofta Skewers with Sumac Onions?
Middle Eastern beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
