Bring authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean street-food flavor home with Sheet Pan Beef Kofta and Roasted Red Onion. Juicy, heavily spiced ground beef meatballs or oblong patties roast alongside sweet, jammy red onion wedges and grape tomatoes, all infused with warm spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and sumac.
The secret to perfectly browned, juicy kofta without drying out is Forming the Meat tightly Around High Fat Ground Beef (80/20) and Roasting at High Heat (425°F / 220°C). The rendered fat coats the surrounding red onions and tomatoes, helping them caramelize into a sweet, tangy jam while keeping the kofta succulent and tender.
Why You’ll Love This Middle Eastern Meal
- Rich, Complex Aromatics: Warm spices combined with fresh parsley, garlic, and grated onion deliver maximum flavor in every bite.
- Caramelized Veggie Side Built-In: Thickly sliced red onions turn soft and sweet as they roast in the spiced beef drippings.
- Simple One-Pan Dinner: No outdoor grill or skewers required—everything bakes effortlessly on a single sheet pan.
- Great for Meal Prep & Wraps: Perfect for stuffing into warm pita pockets, serving over yellow rice, or drizzling with garlic tahini sauce.
Key Ingredients Overview
- Beef: 1½ lbs ground beef (preferably 80/20 for maximum juiciness and flavor).
- Aromatics & Herbs: ½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley, ¼ cup finely chopped fresh mint, 1 small grated yellow onion (squeezed dry), and 4 minced garlic cloves.
- Kofta Spice Blend: 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground sumac, ½ tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp allspice, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper.
- Vegetables: 2 large red onions (cut into ½-inch thick wedges) and 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes.
- Fats & Acids: 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp lemon juice (for the onions).
- Serving Ideas: Warm pita bread, garlic tzatziki or tahini sauce, and fresh mint leaves.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Prep Oven & Sheet Pan:3 min.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2.Mix the Beef Kofta Meatball Mixture:4 min.
In a large bowl, combine 1½ lbs ground beef, grated (and squeezed dry) yellow onion, minced garlic, finely chopped parsley, chopped mint, cumin, coriander, sumac, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands just until combined.
3.Shape Kofta Patties & Prep Onions:4 min.
Divide the beef mixture into 8 to 10 oblong, oval-shaped patties (or long logs). Cut 2 red onions into thick ½-inch wedges and toss with 1½ tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and sumac.
4.Arrange & High-Heat Bake:18 min.
Arrange the beef kofta patties in the center of the sheet pan and scatter the seasoned red onion wedges and whole grape tomatoes around them in a single layer. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 18 to 20 minutes, until the kofta reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) and the onions are soft with charred edges.
5.Garnish & Serve Warm:2 min.
Remove from the oven, dust the red onions with a pinch of extra sumac, and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm with pita bread and garlic tahini or tzatziki sauce!
Expert Tips for Success
- Squeeze the Grated Yellow Onion Dry: Always squeeze out excess water from the grated onion using a paper towel before adding it to the meat. Too much moisture causes the kofta patties to fall apart or steam instead of brown.
- Don’t Overwork the Meat: Mix the ground beef and spices lightly with your fingers. Over-kneading leads to dense, rubbery kofta instead of tender, juicy patties.
- Cut Red Onions into Thick Wedges: Keeping the red onion wedges at least ½-inch thick ensures they hold their shape and caramelize without burning during the high-heat bake.
The Recipe Card
- Prep Time: 12 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 Servings
Ingredients:
- 1½ lbs Ground Beef (80/20)
- 2 Large Red Onions (cut into ½-inch wedges) & 1 pint Grape Tomatoes
- 1 Small Yellow Onion (grated & squeezed dry)
- 4 Garlic Cloves (minced), ½ cup Fresh Parsley & ¼ cup Fresh Mint
- Spices: 1 tsp Cumin, 1 tsp Coriander, 1 tsp Sumac, ½ tsp Cinnamon, ½ tsp Allspice, 1 tsp Salt, ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil & 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- To Serve: Pita Bread, Tahini Sauce or Tzatziki, Lemon Wedges
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a sheet pan. Mix ground beef, squeezed yellow onion, garlic, parsley, mint, and spices together until combined. Shape into 8–10 oblong kofta patties. Toss red onion wedges and grape tomatoes with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Place kofta in the center of the sheet pan surrounded by the onions and tomatoes. Bake for 18–20 minutes until kofta is cooked through (160°F) and onions are caramelized. Serve warm with warm pita and tahini sauce!
