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{Kabab Barg} Grilled Saffron Beef Persian Kebab Recipe

A simple recipe for classic Persian style beef kebab with a garlic, onion, and saffron marinade. This {Kabab Chenjeh} Grilled Saffron Beef Kebab recipe is not your regular Kebab.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 50 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
6 hours
Total Time 7 hours 10 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main
Cuisine Middle Eastern, Persian
Diet Gluten Free, Halal
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 565.5 kcal

Equipment

  • Slicing knife
  • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
  • Cuisinart 14-cup Food Processor
  • Small Saucepan With Lid
  • Wide Flat Kebab Skewers

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 pounds New York Strip Steaks or Top Sirloin Steaks or Filet Mignon
  • 6 (12-inch) metal or wooden skewers  if wooden, soak in water for 15 minutes

For The Persian Kebab Marinade

  • 2 pinches saffron threads
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt plus more for serving
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 8 medium garlic cloves smashed
  • 1 medium white onion cut into sixths
  • Juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons Freshly ground black pepper

For Basting The Persian Kebabs

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 pinch saffron threads

For The Vegetables

  • 12 small Roma tomatoes
  • 1 medium red onion quartered
  • 1 medium bell pepper seeded and quartered
  • 2 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil

For Garnish

  • 3 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • Warmed whole wheat lavash or tortillas
  • Handful baby spinach or baby tatsoi (optional)
  • 1 lemon cut into sixths for serving, optional

Instructions
 

  • Soak The Saffron: Place saffron in a few tablespoons of hot water and let steep while you trim the meat.
    Trim The Meat: Trim any excess fat from the steaks, then cut into 1-inch -by-2-inch rectangles that are about 1/2-inch thick, and place in a large nonreactive bowl.
    Make The Kebab Marinade:  Combine the 1/2 cup yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, white onion, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and saffron and saffron soaking liquid, in a food processor and process until smooth.
    Marinate The Beef: Pour the marinade over the beef, toss to coat, cover and marinate 6 hours or up to 48 hours in the refrigerator.
    2 1/2 pounds New York Strip Steaks or Top Sirloin Steaks, 2 pinches saffron threads, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 8 medium garlic cloves, 1 medium white onion, Juice from 1 lemon, 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons Freshly ground black pepper
  • Prepare A Grill: When ready to cook, heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium (about 350°F) and rub the grill with a towel dipped in vegetable oil. Remove the meat from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off.
  • Assemble The Skewers: Thread meat on skewers, stacking the long side (about 2-inch side) of the meat pieces one against another on the skewer. This is key to helping leaner cuts of beef (like those in this recipe) stay juicy.
    6 (12-inch) metal or wooden skewers
  • Make The Saffron Butter: Melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat and add the last pinch of saffron threads.
    Prepare The Vegetables: Meanwhile, drizzle tomatoes, peppers, and onion with oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat thoroughly.
    2 tablespoons butter, 1 pinch saffron threads, 12 small Roma tomatoes, 1 medium red onion, 1 medium bell pepper, 2 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Grill The Kebabs: Place meat and tomatoes on grill. Cook meat, turning once, un and basting a few times with the saffron-butter mixture, until charred and medium-rare, about 7 to 10 minutes. Cook the vegetables, turning rarely, until blistered and soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Serve: Remove meat and tomatoes from skewers. Stir together the cilantro and yogurt until well mixed. Assemble a sandwich as desired on lavash, with the meat, tomatoes, additional yogurt, thinly sliced onions, and greens. Squeeze some lemon over the top and serve.
    3 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves, Warmed whole wheat lavash or tortillas, Handful baby spinach or baby tatsoi, 1 lemon

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Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 565.5kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 53.2gFat: 34.5gSaturated Fat: 12.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 16.4gTrans Fat: 1.2gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 234.5mgPotassium: 1018mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 2281IUVitamin C: 58mgCalcium: 96.2mgIron: 7.3mg
Keyword Beef Kebab, Kebab recipe