Kafta, kofta or cafta, however, you pronounce it, this bison meat recipe is delicious! These flavorful buffalo kabobs are inspired by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, combining the lean richness of bison meat with aromatic spices and fresh herbs for a perfectly seasoned dish.
Bison Kafta
Rated 4.5 stars by 2 users
Category
Bison
Cuisine
Mediterranean
Author:
Courtney Johnston
Servings
4-6
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Ground buffalo is mixed with finely minced onion, garlic, and parsley, then enhanced with a blend of warm and earthy spices like cumin, oregano, and sumac. Grilled to juicy perfection, these kabobs are quick, easy to prepare, and full of flavor. Whether hosting a barbecue or craving something hearty, these kabobs are an excellent choice. For a delicious, home-cooked feast, serve them with your favorite sides, like rice, tzatziki sauce, vegetables, or flatbread. We also whipped up a batch of marinated red onions that take this dish up a notch. You can find the recipe for them in the notes below.
Ingredients
-
2 lbs ground bison meat
- 1 small onion grated (red, white or sweet)
- 2-3 cloves of garlic finely minced or grated
-
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves finely chopped plus additional for serving
-
1 ½ teaspoon salt
-
½ teaspoon black pepper
-
1 teaspoon sumac (optional)
-
1 teaspoon cumin
-
½ teaspoon cinnamon
-
1 teaspoon dried oregano OR 1 tablespoon fresh oregano finely chopped
Directions
Place the ground bison in a large bowl, and gather all other ingredients.
Grate the onion and garlic and finely chop the parsley. Add the onion mixture to the bowl with the bison meat and then add all of the spices.
- Mix well using clean hands until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Divide the mixture into eight equal parts. Form the meat into an oblong shape on the skewers.
- Place the skewered meat on a plate and place in the refrigerator for ten minutes while you preheat the grill. This will help the meat stay together as you transfer it to the grill.
- Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat (450-500°F) and lightly grease the grates with a high smoke point oil like avocado oil.
- Carefully place each skewer on the preheated and greased grill. Grill for about 6-8 minutes.
- Gently flip the skewers only when the meat pulls away from the grates easily and grill marks have formed on the bottom. Grill on the other side for an additional 3-4 minutes until cooked through.
Transfer the kabobs to a plate and let them rest for about five minutes before serving. Be sure to pour any accumulated juices over the kabobs before serving with your favorite sides.
ENJOY!
Recipe Video
Recipe Note
For the Marinated Onions
1 red onion thinly sliced
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
4 tbsp red wine vinegar
Olive Oil
-Slice the onions and add to a mason jar (or any jar with a lid that seals tightly) press them in tight.
-Pour in enough olive oil to cover the onions.
-Add in the vinegar and spices.
-Cover and give the jar a good shake to mix.
-Let the onion mixture sit at room temperature for at least twenty minutes but up to 24 hours before using.
-Caution, these are addictive and complement everything from bison kafta, to elk burgers, game meat steak and even our prime rib roasts. Be ready to make them on repeat!