Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Makarios Kabobs & Grill›Shish Kafta Sandwich Recipe

Shish Kafta Sandwich Recipe

Inspired by Makarios Kabobs & Grill
Time45m
Serves4

Charbroiled quality lamb ground with parsley onions and herbs. Wrapped with tomato, onion parsley, pickles and tahini sauce.

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Ingredients

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Kafta (Lamb Patties)

Sandwich Components

Tahini Sauce

Method

Kafta (Lamb Patties)

  1. 1

    Mix the kafta

    In a large bowl combine ground lamb, finely chopped parsley, finely chopped or grated onion, minced garlic, ground cumin, allspice, coriander, kosher salt and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a fork until ingredients are evenly distributed but do not overwork (about 30–45 seconds of mixing).

  2. 2

    Portion and shape

    Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions (about 2 oz / 55 g each) for sandwiches. Shape each portion into a long oval or small flattened sausage patty roughly the length of your bread (4–5 inches long and about 1/2 inch thick). Press slightly in the center so they cook evenly.

  3. 3

    Preheat grill or skillet

    Preheat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high (about 450°F / 230°C) or heat a heavy cast-iron skillet/grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the grill grates or pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.

  4. 4

    Cook kafta

    Charbroil or pan-sear the kafta for 3–4 minutes per side, flipping once, until well browned on the outside and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). If using a grill, press gently with a spatula for good contact. Remove and rest on a plate for 2 minutes.

Tahini Sauce

  1. 5

    Make the tahini sauce

    In a small bowl whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic and salt. The mixture will seize and thicken; gradually whisk in water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency (about 3–4 tablespoons). Taste and adjust salt or lemon as needed. Stir in a teaspoon olive oil if desired for sheen.

Sandwich Assembly

  1. 6

    Prepare vegetables and bread

    Warm pita or flatbreads briefly on the grill or skillet (20–30 seconds per side) until pliable and slightly charred. If using tomato rounds to wrap the kafta, lay them out now. Arrange sliced tomato, red onion rings, parsley leaves and pickle slices alongside the bread.

  2. 7

    Assemble sandwiches

    Place one cooked kafta patty into each warmed pita or flatbread. If desired, wrap the kafta in a thin tomato round before placing into the bread. Top with a drizzle (about 1–2 tablespoons) of tahini sauce per sandwich, add 2–3 slices of tomato, a few red onion rings, several parsley leaves and 2 pickle slices. Fold or roll the bread to enclose.

  3. 8

    Serve

    Serve immediately while hot, with extra tahini sauce on the side. Optionally accompany with fries, tabbouleh or a simple cucumber-tomato salad.

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