North African Couscous Kefta (Printable)

Tender spiced kefta with aromatic vegetables atop fluffy couscous for a vibrant North African meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Kefta (Meatballs)

01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef or lamb
02 - 1 small onion, finely grated
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp ground coriander
08 - 1 tsp sweet paprika
09 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
10 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - ½ tsp black pepper

→ Couscous

13 - 1 ½ cups couscous
14 - 1 ¼ cups boiling water
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil
16 - ½ tsp salt

→ Vegetable Sauce

17 - 2 tbsp olive oil
18 - 1 large onion, sliced
19 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
20 - 2 zucchinis, sliced
21 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
22 - 2 tomatoes, diced
23 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
24 - 1 tsp ground cumin
25 - 1 tsp ground coriander
26 - ½ tsp turmeric
27 - ½ tsp ground cinnamon
28 - ½ tsp paprika
29 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
30 - 3 cups vegetable or beef broth
31 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
32 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, combine ground meat with grated onion, minced garlic, fresh herbs, spices, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly by hand until evenly combined. Form into walnut-sized meatballs (20–24 pieces). Set aside.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced onion and cook until softened and golden, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Add carrots, bell pepper, and zucchini to the pot. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
04 - Stir in diced tomatoes and minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, then add ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, and optional cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to coat vegetables with spices.
05 - Pour in vegetable or beef broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Gently place meatballs into the sauce, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring halfway to prevent sticking and to ensure even cooking.
06 - While the meatballs cook, place couscous in a large bowl. Stir in salt and olive oil, then pour boiling water over. Cover tightly with a plate or lid and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
07 - Arrange couscous on a serving platter or individual plates. Spoon the kefta and vegetable sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The meatballs stay impossibly tender because you're not overworking them, and they soak up every bit of that spiced sauce.
  • It comes together in just over an hour and tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • There's enough warmth in the spices to feel luxurious without ever being intimidating.
02 -
  • Don't overwork the meat mixture or brown the meatballs first—simmering them gently in the sauce keeps them tender and lets them soak up all that spiced broth.
  • The couscous water should be boiling when you pour it over, and covering it tightly is what makes it fluffy rather than clumpy.
03 -
  • Grating the onion for the kefta instead of chopping it means the onion releases its juices and keeps the meatballs impossibly moist.
  • If you want to make this ahead, shape the meatballs and refrigerate them for up to a day, or prepare the entire sauce and gently reheat it before adding the kefta.
Return