Main Course · Middle Eastern · Dinner ·

Succulent Lebanese Kafta with Lemony Tahini Sauce

Name: Succulent Lebanese Kafta with Lemony Tahini Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef or lamb; 1 small onion, grated; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground allspice; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper; Skewers, If wooden, soaked in water for 30 minutes; ½ cup tahini; 1 large lemon, juiced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; ¼ tsp salt; ⅓ cup water, Adjust for desired consistency; Olive oil, For brushing; Lemon wedges, For serving; Chopped fresh parsley; Sumac

Juicy kafta kebabs grilled to perfection, served with a zesty lemon tahini sauce.

4.6(707 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 20, 2025

Succulent Lebanese Kafta with Lemony Tahini Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Kafta

For the Lemony Tahini Sauce

For Grilling

For Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 540 kcal
Protein: 28.3 g
Carbs: 12.5 g
Fat: 42.9 g
Fiber: 3.2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2160 kcal
Protein: 113.2 g
Carbs: 49.9 g
Fat: 171.73 g
Fiber: 12.7 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 lb ground beef or lamb	1152	82	0	88	0
1 small onion, grated	40	1	9	0	1
2 cloves garlic, minced	8	0.4	2	0	0.1
1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped	22	2	4	0.5	2
2 tsp ground cumin	16	0.8	2.6	0.9	0.8
1 tsp ground allspice	6	0.1	1.4	0.1	0.5
1 tsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
½ tsp black pepper	3	0.1	1.2	0.1	0.5
Skewers If wooden, soaked in water for 30 minutes	0	0	0	0	0
½ cup tahini	764	27	21	68	8
1 large lemon, juiced	12	0.2	4	0.1	0.1
2 cloves garlic, minced	8	0.4	2	0	0.1
¼ tsp salt	0	0	0	0	0
⅓ cup water Adjust for desired consistency	0	0	0	0	0
Olive oil For brushing	120	0	0	14	0
Lemon wedges For serving	6	0.1	2	0	0.2
Chopped fresh parsley	1	0.1	0.2	0.03	0.1
Sumac	2	0.1	0.5	0.1	0.3

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Kafta

1
Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine ground meat, grated onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, allspice, salt, and black pepper.
2
Mix Well
Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
3
Chill
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop.
Tip: Ensure the kafta mixture is well-chilled before grilling to help it hold its shape.

Preparing the Lemony Tahini Sauce

1
Whisk Base
In a medium bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt until smooth.
2
Adjust Consistency
Gradually add water, whisking until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Tip: If the tahini sauce thickens over time, whisk in a tablespoon of water to loosen.
3
Season to Taste
Adjust seasoning if necessary.

How to Make Succulent Lebanese Kafta with Lemony Tahini Sauce

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Grilling the Kafta
Preheat the grill to medium-high. Shape the kafta mixture onto skewers, pressing firmly. Brush with olive oil and grill.
2
Final Grilling Touch
Grill for approximately 4–5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
3
Finishing the Sauce
Serve the sauce immediately with grilled kafta for the best flavor.