Kibbeh (Beef Croquettes)
Kibbeh is a beloved Lebanese and Syrian snack made with a spiced ground meat and onion filling stuffed in a crunchy bulgur and beef shell.
- Prep time
- 30 min
- Cook time
- 35 min
- Yield
- 32 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 3 white onions (diced (3 cups total))
- 8 oz ground beef ((80/20))
- 1/4 cup mint leaves (chopped)
- 1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1+2/3 cup fine bulgur wheat ((See Note 1))
- 1 white onion (quartered (1 cup total))
- 1+1/2 lb ground beef ((80/20))
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1+1/2 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp sumac
- 1 lemon (slices)
- Tahini Yogurt Sauce
- mint leaves
Instructions
- 1
Heat a tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and fry the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes, or until golden. Remove pine nuts from pan, drain and set aside.
- 2
Add the other tablespoon of oil to the skillet along with the onions. Saute over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the ground beef, cinnamon, allspice, pomegranate molasses, salt and pepper. Stir to break up meat and cook until meat is no longer pink. Stir through the pine nuts, mint and parsley, set aside.
- 3
Place bulgur in a sieve under cool water, rinsing until water runs clear. Set aside.
- 4
Place the onion in a food processor and pulse several times until minced. Add the ground beef, salt, cinnamon, allspice and pepper. Process for 15-20 seconds until a paste forms. Transfer to a large bowl.
- 5
Add the rinsed bulgur to the meat filling and combine for 3 minutes to mix thoroughly.
- 6
Place some water in a small bowl and set aside. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet (or lined with a silpat). Roll 3 tablespoon sized balls (roughly the size of a ping pong ball, 1 1/4 oz or 35 gm) of the filling. You should have 32. For larger kibbeh, double the size.
- 7
Wet your hands. Holding the ball in one hand, use the index finger from the other and press down in the center of the ball, being careful not to crack or tear the sides. Do not press through the ball, you are making a package to fill. I use the hand holding the ball and gently press the meat mixture up and around my finger to the second joint (mid-finger) while move the index finger in a slow circular pattern to widen the opening. This takes practice, so be patient! The sides should be about a 1/8" thick.
- 8
Fill the cavity of the kibbeh with 1 1/2 tsp of the filling mixture and pinch the opening closed to seal it. Wet your fingers and shape and smooth the kibbeh into an oval with a pointed end (football shaped). Place on line baking sheet and repeat with remaining casing and filling.
- 9
Heat 2 cups of oil in a large saucepan or deep fryer to 350°F. Gently lower 3-4 per batch into the oil and fry 2-3 minutes, gently turning often until crispy and brown. Remove the kibeh from the oil and transfer them to a plate lined with paper toweling to drain.Repeat with remaining balls.
- 10
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the kibbeh balls in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Spray the croquettes with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray.Bake for 30 minutes, or until they are deep golden brown in color. Time can vary depending on the heat of your oven and altitude.
- 11
Place on a platter garnished with lemon slices, mint leaves and a dipping bowl filled with Tahini Yogurt Sauce.