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Easy Lebanese Kafta Burger Recipe with Creamy Garlic Toum and Pita for Perfect Homemade Meal

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A quick and flavorful Lebanese kafta burger with juicy spiced beef patties, creamy homemade garlic toum sauce, and soft pita bread, perfect for a comforting homemade meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1 small onion, finely grated
  • 1/4 cup (15 g) fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 4 large garlic cloves, peeled
  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) vegetable or light olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp ice-cold water
  • 1/2 tsp salt (for toum)
  • 4 large soft pita breads
  • 1 medium fresh tomato, sliced
  • 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
  • Pickled turnips or onions (optional)
  • Fresh mint or additional parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, finely grated onion, chopped parsley, ground allspice, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly with your hands until combined without compacting the meat. (About 5 minutes)
  2. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into an oval patty about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Place on a plate and refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm up.
  3. Make the garlic toum: In a food processor, pulse garlic cloves with 1/2 tsp salt until finely minced. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the oil in a thin, steady stream. Gradually add ice-cold water and lemon juice alternately to emulsify the sauce until thick, creamy, and fluffy. Adjust consistency with water if needed. (About 10 minutes)
  4. Heat a non-stick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat and add a little oil. Cook each kafta patty for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through (internal temperature 160°F / 71°C). Avoid pressing the patties while cooking.
  5. Warm the pita breads in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 minutes until soft and pliable.
  6. Assemble the burgers by spreading a generous layer of toum on each pita, placing a hot kafta patty on top, then adding slices of tomato and cucumber. Add pickled turnips or onions if desired and garnish with fresh mint or parsley. Fold or roll the pita around the filling and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to keep patties tender. Slowly add oil when making toum to prevent sauce from splitting. Rest patties in fridge before cooking to help them hold shape. For gluten-free, substitute pita with gluten-free flatbread or lettuce wraps. Ground turkey can be used instead of beef for a lighter option.

Nutrition

Keywords: kafta burger, Lebanese burger, garlic toum, pita sandwich, Middle Eastern recipe, ground beef burger, homemade burger, easy dinner, quick meal

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/easy-lebanese-kafta-burger-recipe-with-creamy-garlic-toum-and-pita-for-perfect-homemade-meal/