Kabab-e-Barg (Afghan Marinated Lamb Kebabs)
Local name: کباب برگ
In short: Thin strips of lamb marinated in onion juice, yogurt and black pepper, threaded on flat skewers and grilled over high heat until juicy. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 390 kcal
Kabab-e-barg is the elegant kebab of Afghan restaurants and celebrations. Barg means leaf, and the lamb is cut into long, thin strips, marinated in grated onion, yogurt and pepper, then grilled quickly over charcoal so the outside chars and the inside stays juicy. The onion tenderizes the meat. Serve it with grilled tomatoes, flatbread, a sprinkle of sumac and a bowl of palaw.
Instructions
- Mix the grated onion, yogurt, oil, garlic, salt, pepper, coriander and cumin in a large bowl. Add the lamb and massage the marinade into the meat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Thread the lamb strips onto flat metal skewers, folding them so they lie flat and close together. Do not squeeze them too tightly.
- Heat a grill to high and oil the grates lightly. Place the tomato halves on the grill and cook for 4 minutes, until softened and charred.
- Grill the kebabs for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until browned with charred edges and cooked to at least 63°C (145°F) inside.
- Rest the skewers for 3 minutes, then serve with the grilled tomatoes, sliced onion, a sprinkle of sumac and lemon wedges.
Tips
- Do not marinate for longer than 24 hours. The onion and yogurt keep tenderizing the meat, and past that point it turns mushy.
- Add a few cubes of lamb fat between the pieces on the skewer for traditional flavor. Chicken thighs work too, grilled to 74°C (165°F).
Questions and answers
Can I cook kabab-e-barg in the oven?
Yes. Use your broiler on its highest setting, with the rack 8 cm (3 in) from the heat, and cook for 4 minutes per side.
What is the difference between kabab-e-barg and shish kebab?
Kabab-e-barg uses long thin strips of lamb, which cook very quickly, while shish kebab is made with chunks of meat.
What do you serve with kabab-e-barg?
Afghan flatbread, palaw or plain rice, grilled tomatoes, raw onion with sumac and a bowl of yogurt.
How long does it take to make Kabab-e-Barg (Afghan Marinated Lamb Kebabs)?
About 40 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kabab-e-Barg (Afghan Marinated Lamb Kebabs)?
About 390 kcal per serving, with 38 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 390 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 38 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
