Showing posts with label Persian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Persian. Show all posts

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Viral Sheet Pan Beef Kabobs (Koobideh-Inspired)

 

These Viral Sheet Pan Beef Kabobs are Koobideh-inspired, juicy, and packed with bold flavor. An easy weeknight dinner made right on a sheet pan — no grill or skewers needed.




Viral Sheet Pan Beef Kabobs (Koobideh-Inspired)


After the sheet pan turkey kabobs went viral here on the blog, I couldn’t stop thinking about other ways to use this simple, no-skewer method — and a Koobideh-inspired beef version quickly moved to the top of my list. Traditional koobideh is known for its bold seasoning and juicy texture, but it can feel intimidating to make at home. This sheet pan approach keeps all the flavor while making it completely approachable for a weeknight dinner.

These Viral Sheet Pan Beef Kabobs deliver everything you want from classic koobideh-style kebabs: tender, well-seasoned beef with a lightly crisp exterior and plenty of savory depth. Baking them on a sheet pan eliminates the guesswork of grilling and shaping, and the result is consistently juicy kabobs every single time.

If you loved how effortless the turkey version was, this beef variation is just as easy — and just as crave-worthy. It’s the kind of recipe that feels a little special but fits perfectly into a busy week, which is exactly why this method keeps popping up everywhere.




Ingredients

  • Ground beef
  • White onion (grated and squeezed dry)
  • Garlic
  • Fresh parsley
  • Sumac, turmeric, black pepper, and kosher salt
  • Optional red pepper flakes for heat

For serving, you’ll also want:

  • Greek yogurt and hummus for a creamy sauce 
  • Fresh tomatoes, red onion, parsley, lemon, and sumac for a bright salad 
  • Warm lavash to pull everything together (optional mint or basil)

(Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.)


Served on Lavash, wrap style.


How to Make

These sheet pan kabobs come together easily with minimal prep — no skewers or grill required.

  • Mix the kabobs: Combine ground beef with grated onion, garlic, herbs, and spices. Mix gently just until combined to keep the texture tender.
  • Shape: Press the mixture onto a sheet pan and score into long kabob-style strips.
  • Bake & broil: Roast until cooked through, then briefly broil for that lightly charred, kabob-like finish.
  • Finish & serve: Let the meat rest, then slice and serve with yogurt sauce, fresh salad, and warm lavash.




Substitutions & Variations

  • Use your own spice blend: If you already have a favorite Middle Eastern or kebab seasoning, feel free to swap it in for the spices listed here. Aim for about 1½–2 tablespoons total seasoning.
  • Beef & lamb blend: For a more traditional koobideh flavor, substitute half of the ground beef with ground lamb.
  • Make it spicy: Increase red pepper flakes or add a pinch of Aleppo pepper to the meat mixture.

Variations

  • Low-carb option: Skip the lavash and serve the kabobs over chopped salad or cauliflower rice.
  • Meal-prep bowls: Serve over rice with extra sauce and salad for easy lunches.



Kitchen Tips and Notes

  • Squeeze the onion well: Removing excess moisture keeps the kabobs juicy without becoming soft or mushy.
  • Don’t overmix: Mixing too much can make the beef dense — gentle hands are key.
  • Score before baking: This makes the kabobs easy to separate cleanly after cooking.
  • Broil briefly: Just 1–2 minutes adds flavor without drying out the meat.
  • Leftovers: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently or enjoy cold in wraps or bowls.


This is what a 1/2 batch looks like.





Set the Mood

Make your kabob dinner and occasion by incorporating these easy mood enhancers along with your meal.  See tips below.







If this recipe feels like a keeper, you’re not alone. These kabobs passed the ultimate test in our house — my husband, who proudly considers himself a koobideh expert, crowned them worthy of top honors. If you’re in the mood for more easy, high-flavor meals, don’t miss my Viral Sheet Pan Turkey Kabobs or another sheet pan favorite here, Sheet Pan Honey Dijon Chicken and Vegetables.


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Before You Start

  • Grate the onion and squeeze out excess liquid before mixing
  • Preheat the oven fully for even browning
  • Warm the lavash just before serving for best texture
  • Prep the salad and sauce while the kabobs bake
  • If this size serving is too much you can cut the recipe in half

This quick prep makes the cooking process smooth and stress-free.



 

 

 




Tuesday, December 2, 2025

The Viral Sheet Pan Turkey Kabobs You’ll Want Every Week

 

These viral Sheet Pan Turkey Kabobs deliver juicy, Greek-inspired flavor with minimal effort—seasoned ground turkey baked and broiled to perfection, served with fresh salad, feta, pita, and tzatziki. A fast, high-protein dinner you’ll want on repeat.




The Viral Sheet Pan Turkey Kabobs You’ll Want Every Week


If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen these viral sheet pan kabobs popping up everywhere—and I knew I had to try them, especially with a husband who considers himself a koobideh connoisseur. Since we eat less red meat for health benefits, I decided to start with a ground turkey version first. A beef batch is definitely coming next, but for now, turkey felt like the perfect place to begin.

The flavor profile was very familiar —I know these spices well—but I was amazed at how incredibly easy the whole process was. Mix your ground meat mixture, press everything onto a sheet pan, score it into kabob strips, bake, broil, done. No skewers, no grill, no fuss. And the taste? Amazingly good for something that took barely any effort.

What really makes this recipe special is the sheet pan method itself. Kabobs can feel intimidating when you’re shaping and skewering loose ground meat, or trying to grill them just right. But this technique removes all the tricky parts while delivering the same juicy, flavorful result. It’s a total game changer—and the reason these viral kabobs are absolutely worth the hype.  My husband is ecstatic to know that we'll be eating koobideh style kabobs so much more often using this method!





What Ingredients Do I Need?

  • Ground Turkey – Lean, mild, and perfect for soaking up bold spices.
  • Garlic – Freshly minced garlic adds depth and that classic kabob aroma.
  • Red Onion – Brings a little sweetness and texture to the mix.
  • Fresh Parsley – Adds color, freshness, and a bright herbal flavor.
  • Cumin – Warm and earthy; essential for that Middle Eastern kabob profile.
  • Coriander – Light, citrusy spice that balances the deeper flavors.
  • Paprika – Adds color and a mellow sweetness; smoked paprika also works.
  • Garlic Powder – Boosts the savory notes and reinforces the fresh garlic.
  • Kosher Salt & Pepper – Simple seasonings that tie everything together.
  • Cucumber & Tomatoes – The base of the fresh topping that keeps every bite bright.
  • Olive Oil & Red Wine Vinegar – A quick splash creates a simple Greek-style salad.
  • Tzatziki – Cool, creamy, and essential for that Greek-inspired wrap.
  • Feta Cheese – Adds salty richness and tang.
  • Fresh Mint – A refreshing pop that elevates the whole dish.
  • Greek Pita Bread – Soft, warm pita makes this a handheld meal everyone loves.





Substitutions and Variations

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Ground Turkey → Ground Chicken or Lean Beef – Works with any ground meat you prefer.
  • Parsley → Cilantro or Fresh Mint – Swap in other fresh herbs for a different flavor profile.
  • Red Onion → Yellow Onion or Shallots – Any mild onion will do.
  • Tzatziki → Garlic Yogurt Sauce or Labneh – Still gives that creamy, tangy element.
  • Red Wine Vinegar → Lemon Juice – Brightens the salad topping just as well.
  • Pita → Naan or Lettuce Wraps – Great if you want a gluten-free or lower-carb option.

Variations

  • Beef Koobideh-Style Version - Use ground beef and add a pinch of turmeric for a more Persian spin—rich, juicy, and packed with flavor.
  • Mediterranean Bowl Version - Serve the kabobs over rice or quinoa with olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, and extra herbs for a quick, customizable meal prep bowl.





Kitchen Notes & Tips

  • Don’t Overmix the Meat – It keeps the kabobs tender instead of dense.
  • Press the Meat into the Pan – You can press the meat the full width of the baking sheet but you don't have to go the entire length of the pan.  You want to keep a uniform thickness of about 1/2 - 3/4 inch.  This helps everything cook at the same rate.
  • Score Before Baking – This makes separating the kabobs super easy after cooking.
  • Use Broil for Char – The last 1–2 minutes under the broiler gives you that kabob-style finish.
  • Don't break the kabobs! – Let the meat sit for 2–3 minutes so the juices settle then use a long spatula to lift them from the pan without breaking.
  • Warm the Pitas – A quick toast or warm-up in foil makes a big difference in texture.
  • Make Extra Salad Topping – It keeps well and adds freshness to leftovers.
  • Meal Prep Friendly – Kabobs reheat beautifully and are great for lunch bowls.
  • Double the Spice Mix – Save half for next time to streamline prep.








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    RECIPE IS DOWN BELOW👇     























Sunday, July 23, 2023

Summer Fresh Recipe Series: Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad is a simple everyday Persian salad that is filled with fresh, crunchy ingredients that bursts with flavor.  The six ingredient salad perfect summer!




Shirazi Salad


    If you are following the Mediterranean diet or like Middle Eastern, or Persian food then this is a great salad for you.  It calls for only 6 ingredients to make!

    Use the best summer tomatoes you can find.  I like Roma tomatoes, which I core and seed.  Persian cucumbers are short thin, and seedless, plus they have a thin skin so they don't need peeling.  They are great to snack on and have a fresh flavor.  If you can't find these then English or hothouse cucumbers would be your next choice.  Use red onion, fresh mint, and some lemon juice if you like to provide a little acid.  Everything should be diced really fine.  To cut down on my knife work I used my Mueller Multi Chopper.  It was perfect for the job, making a fine dice of all the veggies that was done in minutes!

    Try this simple salad today.  It will be one that you will make on repeat all summer!

    Enjoy!




What Ingredients do I need?

  • Persian cucumbers - English cucumber (or hothouse) will work as well
  • Ripe Tomatoes - I love Roma, but any fresh tomatoes will work.  You will need to core and see them as you don't want any of the extra juice.
  • Red onion
  • Fresh Mint
  • Lemon - for juicing
  • Olive oil


Substitutions and Variations

  • Leave out the mint if you don't care for it. Or use dried mint.
  • Use your favorite type of tomato, even cherry tomatoes would be fun.  Just keep everything chopped around the same size.
  • You want a cucumber that doesn't have seeds.  English and Perisan are great since you don't have to peel them.  If all you can find are regular cucumbers, make sure to peel and seed them on the inside.  You don't want the extra juices from the seed pulp in your salad.



Kitchen Tips and Notes

  • It's best to add the olive oil to each serving.  If you toss it over the entire salad then any leftovers will get pretty soggy.
  • Use a really good olive oil, with a good flavor.

  • I love my Mueller Multi Chopper!  I made this salad in about 10 minutes using this chopper.  Saved me a lot of time and a lot of knife work.
  • Leftovers should be placed in a sealed container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.


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Shirazi Salad


serves 4


4 Persian cucumbers or 1 English cucumber
4 Roma tomatoes, cored and seeded
1/2 small red onion
1 lemon
olive oil
10-12 leaves of mint, chopped
kosher salt & black pepper to taste


Finely chop the cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion in to a small dice and place together in a medium bowl.  Add the fresh mint and squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the salad tossing the ingredients.

Add servings to individual dishes and bowls and douse with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Serve at room temperature.  














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