Seared Beef Kafta with Sumac and Pine Nuts

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

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

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-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs ground beef, pine nuts, 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 "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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1/4 cup pine nuts
1 small, finely grated onion
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, minced garlic

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Instructions

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.
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.
Step 3: Shape the mixture into 6 oval patties, about 3 inches long and 1/2-inch thick.
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.
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.
Step 6: Serve the hot kafta patties with the yogurt sauce drizzled on top or on the side for dipping.