Seared Beef Kafta with Sumac and Pine Nuts

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

Juicy spiced beef kafta patties infused with sumac and toasted pine nuts, grilled to perfection and served with a cooling yogurt sauce. This Middle Eastern beef recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs ground beef, pine nuts, and onion 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 ground beef
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1 small onion, finely grated
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tsp sumac
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 small clove garlic, minced

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Toast 1/4 cup pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant, then set aside to cool.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, the toasted pine nuts, 1 small finely grated onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 2 tsp sumac, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined without overworking.
3. Step 3: Shape the mixture into 6 oval patties, about 3 inches long and 1/2-inch thick.
4. Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 160°F.
5. Step 5: While the kafta cooks, whisk together 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 minced small garlic clove to make a tangy yogurt sauce.
6. Step 6: Serve the hot kafta patties with the yogurt sauce drizzled on top or on the side for dipping.