Sizzling Ground Beef Kabobs Recipe: Juicy Backyard Favorite

Juicy ground beef kabobs spark excitement for anyone craving a delightful grilling experience.

Skewers loaded with seasoned meat promise an unforgettable meal that connects you to classic Mediterranean flavors.

Fragrant spices dance across tender chunks, creating a mouthwatering blend of textures and aromas.

Backyard barbecues become magical moments when these kabobs sizzle over hot coals.

Quick and easy preparation means you can whip up this crowd-pleasing dish in minutes.

Minimal ingredients combine to deliver maximum flavor that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Grab your wooden skewers and let’s turn an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

What Makes Ground Beef Kabobs a Favorite

• These kabobs burst with Middle Eastern spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon, creating an explosion of complex, mouth-watering taste in every single bite.
• Shaping meat around skewers requires minimal culinary skills, making this recipe perfect for beginners who want to impress family and friends with restaurant-quality results.
• Enjoy these kabobs as a main course, stuff them in pita bread, serve over rice, or pair with fresh salads, offering incredible flexibility for different dining experiences and preferences.
• Ground beef mixture comes together rapidly, allowing busy home cooks to prepare a delicious, nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Ground Beef Kabobs

• Ground Beef: Rich and flavorful base for the kabobs.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic flavor enhancers.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, fresh herbal notes.
• Cumin, Coriander, Paprika, Cinnamon: Warm and complex spice blend.
• Cayenne Pepper: Optional spicy kick.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for depth.

• Egg, Breadcrumbs: Help hold the meat mixture together.

• Olive Oil: Prevents sticking and adds moisture.
• Wooden Skewers: Supports kabob shape during cooking.

Cooking Directions for Ground Beef Kabobs

Step 1: Blend Flavor-Packed Meat Mixture

• Finely chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Fresh parsley
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Paprika
• Cinnamon
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper

Add the beaten egg and breadcrumbs.

Use your hands to mix thoroughly, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated without overworking the meat.

Step 2: Craft Kabob Shapes

Take small portions of the meat mixture and carefully mold them into elongated oval patties around skewers.

Press firmly to create compact, evenly shaped kabobs.

Pro tip: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.

Step 3: Fire Up the Cooking Surface

Heat your grill to medium-high temperature.

No outdoor grill?

No worries!

A grill pan or oven broiler works perfectly as an alternative cooking method.

Step 4: Grill to Perfection

Lightly brush the kabobs with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Place them on the hot cooking surface.

Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side, creating beautiful char marks.

Ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F for safe consumption.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Remove kabobs from heat and let them rest for a couple of minutes.

This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum flavor and tenderness.

Plate and enjoy your delicious ground beef kabobs!

Grilling Tips for Ground Beef Kabobs

• Add breadcrumbs and egg to help bind the ground beef, ensuring your kabobs stay intact during grilling and don't fall apart.
• Mix ingredients gently with hands to keep the texture tender and prevent tough, dense kabobs that can become chewy.
• Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning and potential fire hazards during high-heat grilling.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 160°F, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked kabobs every time.
• Allow kabobs to rest for 2-3 minutes after grilling, which helps redistribute juices and maintain maximum moisture and tenderness.

Storage for Ground Beef Kabobs

• Place cooled kabobs in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days maximum.
• Wrap individual kabobs tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bag. Freeze up to 2 months for best quality and taste.
• Warm kabobs on medium power for 1-2 minutes, turning halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure food safety.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange kabobs on baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated completely through.

Best Sides for Ground Beef Kabobs

• Pair with Cool Yogurt Sauce: Whip up a tangy tzatziki with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and fresh dill to balance the kabobs' rich, spicy flavors and provide a creamy contrast.
• Complement with Fresh Salad: Create a light Mediterranean salad with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and parsley dressed in olive oil and lemon juice to cut through the meat's richness.
• Match with Bold Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Syrah or Grenache that can stand up to the kabobs' robust spices and grilled intensity without overpowering the delicate meat.
• Serve with Herbed Rice Pilaf: Prepare a fluffy rice pilaf with toasted pine nuts, fresh herbs like mint and parsley, and a touch of butter to provide a complementary starch that enhances the kabobs' Middle Eastern profile.

Creative Styles for Ground Beef Kabobs

• Lamb Lover's Kabobs: Replace ground beef with ground lamb for a richer, more intense flavor profile. Add mint leaves to complement the lamb's natural taste.
• Vegetarian Veggie Kabobs: Swap ground meat with a mixture of mashed chickpeas, quinoa, and finely chopped vegetables. Use ground flaxseed as a binding agent instead of egg.
• Spice-Free Kid-Friendly Version: Reduce or eliminate spicy ingredients like cayenne pepper. Include mild herbs like thyme or oregano to keep the flavor interesting for children.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Incorporate additional Mediterranean herbs like za'atar, sumac, and dried mint. Add crumbled feta cheese into the meat mixture for extra flavor complexity.

FAQs

• What are the key spices that make these ground beef kabobs flavorful?

The combination of cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, and optional cayenne pepper creates a rich, warm, and slightly spicy flavor profile that gives these kabobs their distinctive Middle Eastern-inspired taste.

• Why do I need to add an egg and breadcrumbs to the meat mixture?

The egg and breadcrumbs act as binding agents, helping to keep the meat mixture together, preventing the kabobs from falling apart during cooking, and ensuring a more tender and moist texture.

• How can I tell if the kabobs are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F (71°C), which ensures the ground beef is safely cooked through and eliminates any risk of foodborne illness.

• Can I prepare the kabob mixture in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the meat mixture and shape the kabobs up to a day ahead. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to cook, which can help the flavors meld together even more.

Ground Beef Kabobs Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sizzling ground beef kabobs deliver Middle Eastern street food magic straight to your grill. Juicy spiced meat skewers with herbal notes promise a delicious backyard adventure you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (lb) / 454 grams ground beef

Herbs and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Aromatics and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• Olive oil for brushing

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Blend ground beef with aromatic spices including onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, and optional cayenne in a spacious mixing vessel, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
2. Incorporate beaten egg and breadcrumbs into the meat mixture, gently kneading with fingertips to maintain a tender texture without compressing the proteins excessively.
3. Prepare wooden skewers by submerging them in water for 30 minutes to prevent charring during cooking.
4. Mold meat mixture into elongated, uniform patties around skewers, ensuring compact and consistent shapes that will grill evenly.
5. Heat outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, approximately 400-450°F, creating an ideal searing environment.
6. Delicately brush kabobs with olive oil to prevent adhesion and enhance exterior caramelization.
7. Position kabobs on heated cooking surface, grilling for 4-5 minutes per side until achieving beautiful char marks and reaching a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
8. Allow kabobs to rest momentarily after cooking, enabling juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness before serving.

Notes

• Choose ground beef with a moderate fat content (around 80/20) to ensure juicy, flavorful kabobs that won’t dry out during grilling.
• Allow the meat mixture to rest for 15-30 minutes before shaping to help spices meld and intensify the overall flavor profile.
• Wet your hands slightly when shaping kabobs to prevent the meat from sticking and create smoother, more uniform shapes.
• For those without a grill, these kabobs work wonderfully in a hot skillet or oven-baked at 425°F for 12-15 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg