Description
Juicy, aromatic, and perfectly spiced, these Spicy Beef Armenian Kefta are packed with fresh herbs and warm Middle Eastern spices. Served with creamy tahini sauce and cool tzatziki, they’re a bold and satisfying dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings. #armenianrecipes #beefkefta #tahinisauce #tzatziki #spicybeef #middleeasternfood
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Kefta:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, very finely chopped or grated, drained
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp grated paprika
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp chopped mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
Garnish:
- 1 handful fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 8 roasted cherry tomatoes
Tahini Sauce:
- 5 oz light tahini paste
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 medium garlic clove, crushed
- 1/4 tsp Maldon salt (or sea salt)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, garlic, allspice, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, egg, cayenne pepper, parsley, cilantro, and mint. Mix well until evenly combined.
- Shape the mixture into small oval or cylindrical kefta shapes.
- Grill, pan-fry, or bake the kefta over medium heat until cooked through, about 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally.
- To make the tahini sauce, whisk together tahini paste, water, lemon juice, crushed garlic, and salt until smooth and creamy. Add more water if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve kefta with a drizzle of tahini sauce, a side of tzatziki, and garnish with parsley and roasted cherry tomatoes. Enjoy!
Notes
- For best flavor, let the kefta mixture rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before shaping.
- Substitute ground lamb or a mix of lamb and beef for a richer taste.
- You can roast cherry tomatoes in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes until blistered.
- Use store-bought tzatziki or make your own with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, and lemon juice.
- Serve over rice, with pita, or as part of a mezze platter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 100mg