Kafta is a Middle Eastern lamb and beef dish that is typically served as kebobs, but this version takes the skewers out of the equation for a more versatile approach. Combining ground lamb and Italian sausage, these flavorful meatballs can be served over fragrant Jasmine rice, peppery arugula, and fresh...

Unkebobed Kafta recipe
Prep Time
30min
Cook Time
30min
Total Time
1hr

Ingredients

4 Servings
(1 serving = 1 portion of kafta with rice, arugula, and tzatziki)

Kafta

  • ground lamb
    ground lamb
    1/2lb
  • ground Italian sausage
    ground Italian sausage
    1/2lb
  • almond flour
    almond flour
    1tbsp
  • egg
    egg
    1
  • Moore's original
    Moore's original
    1tbsp
  • Parmesan cheese, shredded
    Parmesan cheese, shredded
    1/4cup
  • green olives, chopped
    green olives, chopped
    1/3cup
  • red onion, diced
    red onion, diced
    1/4cup
  • allspice
    allspice
    1tsp
  • garlic, minced
    garlic, minced
    1tbsp
  • lemon squeezed
    lemon squeezed
    1/4
  • pepper
    pepper
    1tsp
  • Olive oil
    Olive oil

Tzatziki Sauce

  • plain Greek yogurt, or sour cream
    plain Greek yogurt, or sour cream
    1/2cup
  • cucumber diced
    cucumber diced
    1/2
  • lemon squeezed
    lemon squeezed
    1/4
  • dried dill
    dried dill
    1tsp
  • salt
    salt
    1tsp

To Serve

  • Jasmine rice, cooked
    Jasmine rice, cooked
  • Arugula, washed
    Arugula, washed

How to make Unkebobed Kafta

Kafta

  1. Step 1

    Combine all ingredients except olive oil and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Remove from fridge and roll into golf ball-sized meatballs.

  3. Step 3

    Bring a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Add meatballs and brown on both sides.

  4. Step 4

    Reduce heat to medium-low and add water to steam. Cover for 2 minutes.

  5. Step 5

    Uncover and turn meatballs to brown evenly. Remove when water has evaporated.

Tzatziki Sauce

  1. Step 1

    Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

To Serve

  1. Step 1

    Serve Kafta over Jasmine rice and arugula, drizzled with tzatziki sauce.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

336.4kcal (16.82%)

Protein

22.2g (44.36%)

Carbs

7.3g (2.67%)

Sugars

2.0g (4.1%)

Healthy Fat

12.2g

Unhealthy Fat

10.0g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Tips & Tricks

  1. Refrigerating the kafta mixture helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to shape into meatballs.

  2. For a low-carb option, skip the rice and serve the kafta over a bed of greens with extra tzatziki.

  3. These meatballs freeze well. Store them in freezer bags for an easy meal later.

  4. Try crumbling the kafta over pita chips with feta, olives, onions, and tzatziki for a creative Greek nacho dish.

  5. The flavors develop overnight, so leftovers taste even better the next day.

FAQS

  1. Can I use a different type of meat for the kafta?

    Yes, you can substitute the lamb or Italian sausage with ground beef, turkey, or chicken, but the flavor profile may change.

  2. What is Moore's original?

    Moore's original is a marinade or sauce that adds flavor. You can substitute it with Worcestershire sauce or a similar seasoning.

  3. Can I bake the kafta instead of frying?

    Yes, you can bake the meatballs at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, turning them halfway through for even browning.

  4. How do I make Jasmine rice fragrant and fluffy?

    Rinse the rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch. Cook it with a 1:1.5 rice-to-water ratio for fluffy, fragrant results.

  5. Can I make the tzatziki sauce ahead of time?

    Yes, tzatziki sauce can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The flavors will deepen as it sits.

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Shea Goldstein

(@dixiechikcooks)

A Southern Belle Who's Thinking About What's For Dinner While Eating Lunch...

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