Venison Kafta Kebabs - Lebanese Deer Meat Recipe with Yogurt Sauce

ground venison

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground beef is more affordable.

yogurt sauce

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt is healthier but sour cream is a cheaper alternative.

Trim the fat and silver skin from the venison roast and cut it into chunks.

Place the venison chunks in the freezer for a short while to firm up for grinding.

Grind the venison using a medium course grind plate.

Chop 1/2 of an English cucumber into small pieces.

Mince a bunch of garlic, some fresh mint, and flat leaf parsley.

Finely chop 1 small yellow onion.

In a large bowl, combine 2 lbs of ground venison, the chopped onion, 1/4 cup parsley, 1 tbsp mint, 1.5 tbsp garlic, and the dry seasonings: 1/2 tbsp sumac, 1 tsp allspice, 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp cardamom, 2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp kosher salt.

Add 1/4 cup melted beef tallow to the mixture and mix thoroughly with gloves until well combined.

Cover the mixture and refrigerate for 5 to 10 hours to allow flavors to meld.

Break up vermicelli into 1-inch pieces using a meat mallet or by hand.

Melt 3 tbsp butter in a large skillet and toast the vermicelli over medium heat until golden brown.

Add 2 cups rinsed long grain rice to the skillet and stir.

Pour in 3.5 cups chicken stock, 1 tsp turmeric, and 1 tsp salt, and stir again.

Increase heat to high until boiling, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25 minutes.

Prepare the yogurt cucumber sauce by salting the chopped cucumber and letting it sit for 20-30 minutes to draw out moisture.

Strain the cucumbers and blot with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

In a bowl, combine 2 cups Greek yogurt, 1 tsp mint, and 1 tsp minced garlic, and whisk until smooth.

Cover and refrigerate the sauce for about 30 minutes.

Divide the meat mixture into six pieces and mold each piece onto a metal skewer, ensuring even thickness and snugness around the skewer.

Grill the kebabs over an open flame until cooked through.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens