Moroccan-Style Kefta with Cucumber Salad

Warmly spiced Moroccan-style kefta pairs with a bright cucumber–cherry tomato salad and roasted carrots, bringing Washington’s October carrot harvest into a quick dinner.

  • Total time: 40 min
  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Estimated total cost: $9
  • Calories per serving: 630 cal
  • Oven
  • Stovetop

Ingredients

  • Kroger® 80/20 Ground Beef
    12 oz $5.99
  • Cucumber
    1 medium, about 8 oz $0.99
  • Private Selection® Fresh Petite Cherry Snacking Tomatoes
    6 oz $5.00
  • Whole carrots
    8 oz $1.99
  • Yellow onion
    4 oz $0.99
  • Garlic
    2 cloves $0.99
  • Italian parsley
    1/4 cup chopped, about 1/4 bunch $2.69
  • Lemon
    1/2 large lemon, yielding 2 tablespoons juice $2.00
  • Olive oil
    1 1/2 tablespoons
  • Ground cumin
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground coriander
    3/4 teaspoon
  • Sweet paprika
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon
  • Morton kosher salt flakes
    2 3/8 teaspoons
  • Columbia Crest Grand Estates Syrah Washington Red Wine
    1 bottle $9.99

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 425°F. Scrub 8 oz carrots and cut into finger-length sticks about 1/2 inch thick.

  2. Prepare the kefta mixture in a bowl, gently combining:

    • 12 oz ground beef
    • 2 oz yellow onion, finely grated
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
    • 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 3/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 7/8 teaspoon Morton kosher salt flakes

    Shape into 6 small oval patties, about 3/4 inch thick. Refrigerate while preparing the sides.

  3. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the prepared carrots with:

    • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon Morton kosher salt flakes

    Spread into one layer and roast for 22–25 minutes, turning halfway through, until tender with browned edges.

  4. Make the salad in a serving bowl, combining:

    • 1 medium cucumber, about 8 oz, diced
    • 6 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 2 oz yellow onion, finely diced
    • 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, squeezed from 1/2 large lemon
    • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon Morton kosher salt flakes

    Toss well and let stand while cooking the kefta.

  5. When the carrots have about 12 minutes left, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the kefta in a single layer and cook for 4–5 minutes per side, reducing the heat if the spices begin to scorch, until browned and the centers reach 160°F. Rest for 3 minutes.

  6. Divide the kefta and roasted carrots between two plates. Toss the salad again and spoon it alongside, leaving excess salad liquid in the bowl.

Drink pairing: Fresh mint tea complements the warm spices and cool cucumber salad.

Wine picks:

  • Columbia Crest Grand Estates Syrah Washington Red Wine $9.99 1 bottle
  • Owen Roe Sinister Hand Grenache Oregon Red Wine $23.99 1 bottle

Why it works: The cumin, coriander, paprika, and browned beef suit Syrah’s peppery, savory character. Columbia Crest Grand Estates is a good-value match, while Owen Roe Sinister Hand adds juicy Grenache fruit to complement the bright tomato-cucumber salad.