Yemeni Kebab Halabi
Kebab Halabi, also known as Aleppo Kebab, is a flavorful Middle Eastern dish featuring spiced ground meat (typically lamb or beef) formed into kebabs and grilled. It's often served with a tangy tomato and onion sauce, making it a popular and satisfying meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Ground lamb
- 1 small Onion(finely diced)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Parsley(finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp Seven-spice mix(or a blend of cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, and cardamom)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Olive oil(for cooking)
- 3 large Tomatoes(diced)
- 1 medium Onion(thinly sliced)
- 2 tsp Sumac
- 1 medium Bell pepper(cut into rings (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Kebab Mixture: In a bowl, combine the ground lamb, finely diced onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, seven-spice mix, salt, and black pepper. Mix well with your hands until all ingredients are evenly distributed, but avoid overmixing.
- 2
Form the Kebabs: Divide the meat mixture into equal portions. Roll each portion into a cylindrical or oval shape, about 2.5 to 3 inches long. You can thread them onto skewers if using metal skewers, or place them directly on the cooking surface.
- 3
Cook the Kebabs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the kebabs and cook for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Alternatively, grill them over medium-high heat for about 10-12 minutes.
- 4
Prepare the Sauce: While the kebabs are cooking, heat a little more olive oil in a separate pan. Add the sliced onion and sauté until softened and lightly golden. Add the diced tomatoes and cook until they break down into a sauce, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the sumac and season with salt and pepper.
- 5
Combine and Serve: Pour the tomato-onion sauce over the cooked kebabs in the pan (or arrange kebabs in a baking dish and pour sauce over). If using, arrange bell pepper rings on top. Cook for another 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For authentic flavor, use a good quality seven-spice blend. If unavailable, create your own by combining ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, and cardamom.
- ✓Don't overwork the meat mixture, as this can make the kebabs tough.
- ✓Kebab Halabi is often served with rice, flatbread, or a fresh salad.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Use ground beef or a mix of lamb and beef.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the kebab mixture for a bit of heat.