Vegetarian Kefta

Dive into the rich flavors of the Middle East with this vibrant Vegetarian Kefta recipe, a plant-based twist on a classic favorite. Made with hearty canned chickpeas, fresh cilantro, and parsley, these spiced patties are infused with ground cumin, coriander, and a hint of cayenne for a warm, aromatic kick. Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender within, these kefta are pan-fried in olive oil for a golden finish and served with creamy Greek yogurt for a refreshing contrast. Quick and easy to prepare in just 30 minutes, this recipe is the ideal choice for a satisfying meatless meal that’s packed with protein, flavor, and versatility. Serve these delectable patties as an appetizer, pair them with a salad or flatbread, or enjoy them as a main course – they’re sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 0.5 cup fresh parsley leaves
• 1 small onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon allspice
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt, for serving

Directions

Step 1

Place the drained chickpeas, cilantro leaves, parsley leaves, onion, and garlic cloves in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely ground.

Step 2

Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, allspice, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to the mixture in the food processor. Pulse again to combine.

Step 3

Transfer the chickpea mixture to a mixing bowl and stir in the bread crumbs and lemon juice. Mix well until the mixture holds together.

Step 4

Shape the mixture into 12 equal-sized oval patties.

Step 5

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add some of the patties, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.

Step 6

Cook the patties for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and warmed through. You may need to add more oil as necessary.

Step 7

Place the cooked kefta on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil. Repeat until all patties are cooked.

Step 8

Serve the vegetarian kefta warm with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(957.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1345.3

Total Fat 59.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 4mg	0%
Sodium 3746.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 158.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 36.0g	0%
Total Sugars 28.5g
Protein 55.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 744.5mg	0%
Iron 22.1mg	0%
Potassium 2839.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.2%

Protein: 16.1%

Carbs: 45.7%