Best Algerian Kefta (Meatballs)

It is delicious, rich, and fresh. The tomato sauce in this recipe can be used for anything and the amounts of flavors can be adjusted. Serve this dish with a French baguette.


Prep time  30 m    Cook time 30 m    Total time 1 h

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, divided
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon ras el hanout (optional)
• 1/2 cup water

Directions

1. Combine the ground beef with half of the minced garlic and a tablespoon of chopped onion. Mix with your hands until fully incorporated. Shape the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch oblong patties; you should have 12 to 14 meatballs.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the patties in batches until they are crispy on both sides and are no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Set the meatballs aside in a rimmed serving dish and repeat with the remaining patties.
3. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the remaining chopped onion. Add salt and pepper. Cook the onions in the drippings, stirring constantly, until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining half of the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Stir in the roma tomatoes, dried parsley, ras el hanout, and water. Cook until the tomatoes are soft, about 5 minutes. Pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs and serve.

ELDT notes

Halal beef is butchered according to religious law, similar to Kosher beef. You may use regular ground beef in this recipe.

Ras el hanout is a spice blend common throughout North Africa. It's available from some grocers and specialty purveyors, or you may try this Ras el Hanout recipe.