Afghan Chapli Kebab
A popular street food from Afghanistan, Chapli Kebabs are flavorful, spiced patties made from ground meat, onions, tomatoes, and a blend of aromatic spices. They are typically pan-fried until crispy and served with flatbread or rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef(80/20 fat content recommended)
- 0.5 medium Red onion, finely diced
- 0.5 medium Tomato, finely diced(seeds removed)
- 0.25 cup Cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 small Green chili, finely diced(adjust to spice preference)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Ginger, minced
- 1 large Egg
- 3 tbsp Gram flour (besan)
- 1.5 tsp Coriander seeds, toasted and ground
- 1.5 tsp Cumin seeds, toasted and ground
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Red chili flakes
- 1.5 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 4 tbsp Oil or Ghee, for frying
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Toast coriander seeds and cumin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Let cool slightly, then grind into a coarse powder.
- 2
In a large bowl, combine ground beef, diced red onion, diced tomato, chopped cilantro, chopped green chili, minced garlic, minced ginger, and the egg.
- 3
Add the gram flour, ground toasted spices, turmeric, red chili flakes, salt, and black pepper to the bowl.
- 4
Mix all ingredients thoroughly with your hands until well combined. The mixture should hold together when pressed.
- 5
Divide the mixture into 4-6 equal portions. Shape each portion into a large, thin patty, about 3-4 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. The thinness helps achieve crispy edges.
- 6
Heat oil or ghee in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.
- 7
Carefully place the patties into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 3-5 minutes per side, until deeply golden brown and crispy on the edges, and cooked through.
- 8
Remove the Chapli Kebabs from the pan and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with naan, rice, yogurt sauce, or chutney.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using beef with at least 20% fat content will result in more flavorful and moist kebabs.
- ✓The gram flour acts as a binder; do not omit it.
- ✓For extra flavor, some recipes include dried pomegranate seeds (anardana).
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a spicier version, increase the amount of green chili and red chili flakes.
- Some variations include finely chopped scallions or spring onions in the mixture.
- While traditionally pan-fried, Chapli Kebabs can also be grilled.