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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Beef » 15+ Middle Eastern Ground Beef Recipes (Easy & Authentic)

    15+ Middle Eastern Ground Beef Recipes (Easy & Authentic)

    5 from 3 votes
    December 13, 2021 (last updated January 16, 2022) by Amina Al-Saigh

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    This post may contain affiliate links.

    If you have some ground beef in the fridge, planning out dinners for the week is so much easier, because ground beef is easy to cook and very versatile. In this post, you'll find a collection of the best middle eastern ground beef recipes. These have all been tested to perfection and loved by many!

    15+ middle eastern ground beef recipes poster
    Table of Contents show
    1 Why Ground Beef is so versatile!
    2 What kind of Ground Beef is best for Middle Eastern cooking?
    3 What spices are used for Middle Eastern Ground Beef?
    4 How to defrost Ground Beef
    5 3. Defrost in the microwave
    6 15+ Middle Eastern Ground Beef Recipes
    7 Ground Beef Kafta Kabobs (Skewers or Patties)
    8 Hashweh Rice (Arabic Keema Rice with ground beef)
    9 Arayes (Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita)
    10 Easy Potato Moussaka With Eggplant
    11 Lahm Bi Ajeen / Sfiha
    12 30-Minute Arabic Pasta with Yogurt Sauce
    13 Egyptian Goulash (Phyllo meat pie)
    14 How to make Homemade Sambousek
    15 Bechamel Pasta Bake (Macarona Bechamel)
    16 Dawood Basha (Middle Eastern Meatballs Stew)
    17 Iraqi Dolma (Middle Eastern Stuffed Vegetables)
    18 Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole (Kafta Bil Sanieh)
    19 Eggplant Boats with Yogurt
    20 Middle Eastern Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
    21 Stuffed Onions
    22 15+ Middle Eastern Ground Beef Recipes Including Kafta Kebob

    Why Ground Beef is so versatile!

    Ground beef is my go-to protein when it comes to feeding my family. There are so many uses for it, especially in Middle Eastern cuisine, and its generally one of the easiest meats to cook. Over the years, I've also found it to be the most kid-friendly (maybe tied with chicken). Here are some of the reasons why I love it:

    • Its quick to thaw (if frozen) and cook in a skillet
    • You can adjust the amount of fat to your preference by choosing either regular, lean or extra lean
    • It stores really well in the fridge and tastes good as new the next day
    • It also freezes really well after cooking which makes it a great option for meal prepping

    And because I know that you're all busy and can appreciate a quick protein option, I've put together this collection for you. It ranges from really quick and easy recipes like Kafta and Arayes, to more traditional and nostalgic Arabic recipes such as Dolma. You have so many to choose from, so you'll want to bookmark this page and come back to explore all of them.

    What kind of Ground Beef is best for Middle Eastern cooking?

    For a lot of traditional recipes, regular ground beef is used because Arabic / Middle Eastern recipes tend to be on the greasier side for added flavour. Fat gives food flavour, and generally, a higher fat percentage will result in juicier meat. However, I prefer to cook Arabic food the modern way and take a much healthier approach by sticking to extra lean ground beef and adding fat to it myself (through addition of olive oil, for example).

    This is what the various types of ground beef mean, in general (the percentage will vary slightly):

    • Regular: 20% - 30%
    • Medium: 15% - 20%
    • Lean: fat content between 10% - 15%
    • Extra lean: fat content between 5% - 10%

    Choosing the right type is up to you and your preferences, as well as the dish you are cooking.

    What spices are used for Middle Eastern Ground Beef?

    You will find that most Middle Eastern ground beef recipes use similar seasoning. My go-to is salt, pepper, allspice (the ground berry not a spice mix) and cinnamon. This is my favourite spice combination and in my opinion suits most applications. You can also simply season it with salt, pepper and Lebanese seven spice mix.

    How to defrost Ground Beef

    There are a few different ways that you can defrost ground beef, and I use all of them depending on how much time I have and whether I've planned ahead. I'll list them below in order of most preferred.

    1. Defrost overnight in the fridge

    This is easy enough and straight forward. Just take out the ground beef from the freezer, place it on a plate (to avoid anything leaking over the fridge) and leave it overnight in the fridge. This is the best way to defrost and my most used method. But sometimes I forget... and that's where these next ones come in.

    2. Defrost in cold water

    If I remember the morning of that I want to use ground beef, then I'll take it out first thing in the morning and place it in a sealed plastic bag and submerge it in cold water. I usually have to put a plate on top to keep it submerged because it tends to float to the top. This method will take 1-2 hours and will evenly defrost the beef.

    3. Defrost in the microwave

    My last option is the microwave when I need to use the ground beef within a few minutes to make a quick meal. The reason I don't love it is because it results in uneven defrosting and some of the beef around the outside starts to cook while the middle is still frozen. To work around this issue, I usually defrost it 1-2 minutes at a time, remove it and scrape off the defrosted beef and place it in a different plate, then put the remaining beef back in. I repeat this until the whole thing is defrosted.

    15+ Middle Eastern Ground Beef Recipes

    Ground Beef Kafta Kabobs (Skewers or Patties)

    5 from 13 votes
    This kafta kabob (or “kofta” or “kefta”) is so simple and delicious. Made usingground beef that’s skewered and perfectly seasoned with Arabic spices, thisrecipe is versatile and comes together in under 30 minutes!
    Check out this recipe!
    Kafta skewers served on pita bread with onions and parsley

    Hashweh Rice (Arabic Keema Rice with ground beef)

    5 from 19 votes
    Hashweh rice is delicious Middle Eastern rice with ground beef and vegetables. Seasoned with warm spices and cooked to fluffy perfection, it's the perfect complete meal in one pot! 
    Check out this recipe!
    Hashweh rice served in a platter and garnished with almonds, raisins and parsley

    Arayes (Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita)

    4.8 from 12 votes
    Arayes are a classic middle eastern street food. Pita bread, stuffed with spiced ground beef and grilled (or baked) to perfection. Enjoy them with a yogurt or tahini dipping sauce as a lunch or light dinner! They are quick and perfect for using up some ground beef.
    Check out this recipe!
    Pita stuffed with ground beef and grilled, stacked in a pile of three

    Easy Potato Moussaka With Eggplant

    4.9 from 34 votes
    A delicious comfort dish made with baked eggplant, spiced meat, and fluffy mashed potatoes. So delicious and easy!
    Check out this recipe!

    Lahm Bi Ajeen / Sfiha

    5 from 38 votes
    Lahm Bi Ajeen or Sfiha is an Authentic Middle Eastern Flatbread made with perfectly spiced beef and a delicious soft dough. It's a must try.
    Check out this recipe!

    30-Minute Arabic Pasta with Yogurt Sauce

    5 from 11 votes
    This Arabic pasta is the perfect solution to a lighter "white sauce" pasta. Its made with a yogurt, garlic and tahini sauce and layered with ground beef spiced with warm middle eastern spices. Top it with fresh herbs and crunch pine nuts, and you've got the perfect weeknight dinner.
    Check out this recipe!
    Arabic pasta served on a plate garnished with nuts and fresh herbs

    Egyptian Goulash (Phyllo meat pie)

    5 from 20 votes
    This Egyptian Goulash is an easy meat pie recipe that looks so impressive on your table but takes little time to put together. The end result is a crunchy pastry filled with a delicious beef stuffing seasoned with warm spices. Must try! It's simple to make and can even be made ahead of time.
    Check out this recipe!
    Egyptian goulash in a pan with one piece cut out

    How to make Homemade Sambousek

    5 from 11 votes
    This Arabic sambousek recipe is the perfect crunchy appetizer to serve at any dinner! And I make mine with a hack I discovered years ago using ready made spring roll pastry — so easy! Whether you like sambousek with a meat filling or with a vegetarian potato filling, I've got you covered. This freezer friendly recipe is also super handy for Ramadan.
    Check out this recipe!
    Sambousak filled with meat and served on a tray

    Bechamel Pasta Bake (Macarona Bechamel)

    4.9 from 30 votes
    This comforting Bechamel Pasta Bake is so delicious and requires simple ingredients. Make the pasta and the meat sauce, but the magic behind this dish is the silky Bechamel sauce that gets poured on top. Delicious!
    Check out this recipe!
    A slice of Bechamel Pasta bake on a plate with a piece cut out using a fork

    Dawood Basha (Middle Eastern Meatballs Stew)

    4.9 from 14 votes
    A middle eastern meatballs stew made of spiced meatballs, potato cubes and peas simmered in a delicious tomato sauce. It's a comfort dish that is packed with flavour, and typically served with some vermicelli rice. So good!
    Check out this recipe!
    Meatball stew with peas and potato served in a pot

    Iraqi Dolma (Middle Eastern Stuffed Vegetables)

    5 from 23 votes
    This authentic Iraqi Dolma recipe may be a labour of love, but it is so worth it! If you ever wanted to be transported to Iraq through your taste buds, this is the recipe to try!
    Check out this recipe!
    Iraqi dolma (vegetables stuffed with rice and meat) served in a blue patterned plate

    Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole (Kafta Bil Sanieh)

    5 from 12 votes
    This authentic Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole is made up of layers of Kafta, Potato, Eggplant, Onions, Peppers and tomato, all cooked in a delicious tomato sauce. It's addictive!!
    Check out this recipe!
    Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole served in a baking dish

    Eggplant Boats with Yogurt

    5 from 5 votes
    Stuffed with lean ground beef, eggplant flesh, onions and tomato sauce, this low carb recipe is a hearty and satisfying meal you’ll want to serve over and over again.
    Check out this recipe!
    Stuffed eggplants placed on a plate drizzled with yogurt and garnished with nuts

    Middle Eastern Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

    5 from 3 votes
    Baked sweet potatoes stuffed with middle eastern spiced ground beef, topped with a garlic yogurt tahini sauce and fresh vegetables. The perfect healthy weeknight meal!
    Check out this recipe!
    stuffed sweet potatoes served with fresh vegetables and a yogurt tahini sauce

    Stuffed Onions

    5 from 1 vote
    Middle Eastern stuffed onions cooked in a tomato broth!
    Check out this recipe!

    If you tried these recipes, please consider leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page - I'd love to hear from you! You can also hop on over to Instagram and say hello!

    Kafta skewers served on pita bread with onions and parsley

    15+ Middle Eastern Ground Beef Recipes Including Kafta Kebob

    This juicy beef Kafta Kabob is made with warm spices, onions, parsley and garlic. It comes together in under 30 minutes and can be served in so many different ways including with rice, salad, or in a wrap. Make sure you check out all the other ground beef recipes!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: middle eastern
    Diet: Halal
    Keyword: Kafta Bil Sanieh, kafta kabob
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 15 pieces
    Calories: 102kcal
    Author: Amina Al-Saigh

    Equipment

    • BBQ or Stove or Oven

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 lb extra lean ground beef
    • 1 bunch parsley approx. 2 cups packed
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • 1.5 teaspoon seven spice middle eastern spice mix
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1.5 teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoons onion powder
    • 4 tablespoons olive oil plus more for grilling
    • 1 tablespoon flour see notes

    Instructions

    • Using a food processor, add the garlic, onions and parsley and process for a few seconds until finely chopped
    • Add the mixture to the ground beef in a bowl, and add all the seasoning and olive oil. Mix well using your hands, then add the flour (see notes) and continue to mix until you form a dough (if dough does not feel firm, add slightly more flour)
    • Form the Kafta into approximately 3-4 inch long pieces about 1 inch in thickness
    • Heat up your BBQ or a grill pan on the stove and add a dash of olive oil (I recommend cast iron)
    • Grill each Kafta for 2-3 minutes on each side (test a piece to ensure it is cooked to your liking) for a total of 6-8 minutes (see notes for baking)
    • Serve with a yogurt tahini sauce (see Eggplant Fatteh for sauce recipe) over rice, salad, or in a wrap

    Notes

    • I typically use 1 tablespoon of flour to help the kafta bind together and be easier to skewer and BBQ. There are situations where there may be too much moisture which could cause the Kafta to fall apart (such as using thawed meat that may have some extra moisture in it). However if you have a dough that is firm, no need to use it! Adding a lot of flour can make the Kafta taste tough so use it sparingly.
    • You can also bake the Kafta the oven at 400F for 15 to 20 mins until fully cooked through as a faster cooking method. Baking works, but grilling yields a juicier result.
    • If you're using regular ground beef (not extra lean), you can reduce the olive oil to 1 tbsp since the meat will release fat

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 269mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 387IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 2mg
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      Comments

    1. FREDEL says

      July 12, 2022 at 6:06 pm

      I AM LOOKING FOR A SYRIAN RECIPE (I GUESS SYRIAN BECAUSE WE ARE SYRIAN) WHERE GRANDMA MADE EGGPLANT MAHSHI, STUFFED AFTER THE WHOLE EGGPLANT CORED). I THINK IT WAS GROUND BEEF AND RICE. THEN SHE COOKED IT IN (I DON'T KNOW THE SEASONINGS BECAUSE SHE NEVER USED ALLSPICE) A LARGE POT ON THE STOVE IN TOMATO SAUCE. I CAN'T FIND THIS RECIPE ANYWHERE. WE LIVE IN THE U.S. BUT WE ARE ALL SYRIAN. IF YOU KNOW THIS RECIPE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

      THANK YOU!!

      Reply
      • Amina Al-Saigh says

        August 07, 2022 at 4:04 am

        Hi Fredel, why don't you check out my Sheikh El Mahshi recipe (that is eggplant stuffed with meat) or my Dolma recipe which is eggplant stuffed with meat and rice.

        Reply

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    ABOUT ME

    Hi friend! I'm Amina, a wife and busy mother of two. And I know you're super busy too. I'm here to help you figure out dinner for your family with my easy, quick, and Middle Eastern inspired recipes. Hope you enjoy your stay - and please - have a look around and get in touch!

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