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Persian Beef Koobideh

Persian koobideh is a Persian Kebab with ground meat mixed with onions and parsley. It is formed around a flat Persian skewer and grilled over hot coals. It is then served off the skewer with sides such as yogurt sauce, hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions and flat bread.

Persian Koobideh

You can make this in the oven under a broiler without the skewers too. Be sure to broil on a rack over a rimmed baking sheet.

Raw ground meat on a skewer.
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The first time I made this I used half ground beef and half ground lamb. It was amazing even if I did over cook it a little. I recommend the 50/50 mixture but be sure to use lean ground beef to make up for the fatty ground lamb.

Traditionally onions, parsley, salt and pepper are mixed in. The mixture is massaged for about five minutes in order to incorporate the additions as well as develop the stickiness factor that keeps them from falling apart. You will notice at the beginning of the massage process the meat doesn’t stick to your hands but by the end you will have to scrape the meat off with a paper towel. This works well for making hamburger patties or koftas that won’t fall apart. What is it that makes the meat sticky when you massage it for a few minutes? Is it the starch or proteins? If you know, leave a comment, I’m curious.

Koobideh vs. Kofta

I have made a lot of Kofta’s over the years. They are basically individual mini meat loaves not cooked on a stick. One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is experiment and Kofta’s are a blank canvas for practicing using your spices and herbs. It is very forgiving too. If you mess up, just cover it in catsup. I won’t tell.

Koobideh is new to me. It is simple and probably goes back several hundred years as humans evolved into cooking meat over an open flame on a stick. The first kebab (grilled meat on a skewer) may have been developed in Turkey in the 1300’s by soldiers cooking freshly caught meat on their swords over a campfire. This technique of cooking meat spread in every direction and now every culture has their version of a kebab.

Koobideh is Persian for ‘slamming’ which is how they used to prepare their meat for a skewer. While kebabs are skewered chunks of meat, koobideh is skewered ground meat. Both are traditionally cooked over an open flame but in modern times, you can make these by broiling them in your oven close to the heating element.

Persian Skewers

Persian skewers are long metal skewers that are wide and flat, usually with a wooden handle. They are designed to hold onto ground meat for grilling. They are almost necessary for making Koobideh although you could make it without these special skewers. You can form the Persian Kebab shape and cook on a rack over a rimmed baking sheet either in the oven under a broiler or in the BBQ. Cooking on a rack allows the extra fat to fall off and the heat and circulation to move around under the Koobideh.

One of my kitchen hacks is using the food processor to dice onions. Just peel and quarter the onion and pulse a few times. Be careful not to over process. The onions will turn into a slurry of sulfurous muck. This is a great way to dice onions without the tears.

If you make this, tag us on Instagram #FusionCraftiness so that we can all see. Did you use beef, lamb or both? Did you go rogue with chicken?

Did you make this recipe?  Don’t forget to rate the recipe and comment below!  Take a picture and tag us @FusionCraftiness #FusionCraftiness on Instagram for a chance to be featured in our Insta Stories:)

Persian Koobideh

Persian Beef Koobideh

Yield: 1 Koobideh
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Persian koobideh is ground meat mixed with onions and parsley. It is formed around a flat Persian skewer and grilled over hot coals. It is then served off the skewer with sides such as yogurt sauce, hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions and flat bread.

Ingredients

  • 1 white or yellow onion
  • 1 lb of 90% lean ground beef
  • 1 lb of ground lamb
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 4 - 6 Persian skewers

Instructions

  1. Preheat BBQ grill.  For charcoal grilling instructions check out my article on smoking brisket.
  2. Peel and quarter the onion.  Place in the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times until you get small dices.  Alternatively you may dice the onion by hand.
  3. In a large mixing bowl add the onion and the next five ingredients and massage well for five minutes.  This incorporates the ingredients and causes the meat to develop stickiness to it which will help it to adhere to the skewers.
  4. Divide the mixture into 4-6 balls and place each one on the skewer.  Shape the meat along the skewer evenly leaving the tip bare and at least one inch from the handle bare.  When you have the meat evenly spread, take two or three fingers and pinch the meat making one inch indentions along the skewer.
  5. Grease grill grates with either pan spray or oil-dipped paper towels.  Grill skewers over medium heat until both sides are cooked and the middle is no longer pink, juices running clear.
  6. Remove from grill and rest in an aluminum foil pouch until ready to serve.

Notes

  • You may use all beef instead of a mixture.  In that case use 80% lean ground beef.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 skewer
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 408Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 172mgSodium: 527mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 42g

Did you make this recipe?

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Hannah

Wednesday 30th of June 2021

The combination of the beef and lamb had such a great flavor. It was a wonderful summer meal. I will be making this one again and again!!

Tina

Wednesday 30th of June 2021

I really liked that one too! I need to make those Persian kebabs again, thanks for reminding me Hannah!

Dan

Thursday 25th of March 2021

Thank you for posting this recipe! I really commend you for your effor but as a Persian kebab specialist, I have to say that unfortunately some important details were...."misunderstood" and I shall elucidate:

1- Hummus is not very popular in Iran or a traditional Persian condiment. Typically this kebab is served with "Lavash" or "taftoon" (or less commonly with "Sangak") bread or Persian white rice (somewhat similar to Jasmine rice)

when served with bread, it is usually accompanied by grilled tomatoes, Sumac, raw onion, and herbs such as parsely, basil, ...

when served with rice, it is usually accompanied by grilled tomato, a bit of butter, Sumac, and in some cases raw egg yolk (the latter used to be more popular a few decades ago)

2- apart from lamb (best cut to use is the flank/skirt known as "GholveGaah" in Persian) and beef (best cuts to use is top sirloin but eye of the round or other cuts may be used), onion is the only macro-ingredient. it is EXTREMELY important for the onion to be squeezed and all the juice seperated from the onion, otherwise the excess juice in onion is going to make the kebab fall from the skewer when cooking

3- no eggs should be added. If you squeeze the onion there won't be any need if the mixture is right.

good luck :)

Tina

Saturday 27th of March 2021

Thank you Dan! This is lovely insight and I sure do appreciate the feedback. You are correct, you are a Persian kebab specialist :) Have you thought about starting a food blog? I think if you are this passionate about a certain type of food, you could really enjoy it. You have inspired me to try serving this and even other dishes with the roasted/grilled tomato, Sumac, raw onion and fresh herbs. I have to drive about 30 miles to find Lavash as I haven't learned how to make it, yet. Maybe some day. It looks like it requires quite a bit of skill so I will need to practice for sure. Good luck in all of your culinary adventures!

Amanda

Monday 20th of May 2019

I don't think I've ever had koobideh, and clearly, I've been missing out! We're big lamb fans in our family, and this would go over so well for a summer cookout. I can just imagine this on the table with some warm grilled naan and a bowl of tzatziki. What a perfect meal!

Trish Bozeman

Tuesday 14th of May 2019

This sounds fantastic! Those Persian skewers are pretty awesome, I might just need to get myself a few for the summer bbqs this year. Another great recipe, can't wait to give it a try!

Tina

Tuesday 14th of May 2019

Winter was so long I was really itching to break out the BBQ goods. Enjoy your Summer Trish!

Jenni LeBaron

Monday 13th of May 2019

These look absolutely mouthwatering! I've never seen this type of skewer before, but I really want a pair now. We do alot of BBQing in the summer and I can see this becoming a regular staple!

Tina

Tuesday 14th of May 2019

This was a first for me too. I found mine at a local Middle Eastern market but you can order them online too. There's a link in the article.

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