Moroccan Kebabs Recipe - Lamb or Beef Brochettes

Name: Classic Moroccan Lamb or Beef Kebabs (Brochettes)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 160 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 pounds beef or lamb (cut into 3/4-inch cubes); 1 large onion (finely chopped); 3 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped); 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped); 2 teaspoons paprika; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon pepper; 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste); 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Prep: 30 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Marinating time: 2 hrs

Total: 2 hrs 40 mins

Servings: 6 servings

Yield: 10 to 15 skewers

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We grill all kinds of food year-round in Morocco and these lamb or beef brochettes among our very favorites. Usually reserved for special occasions, most notably in the days following Eid Al-Adha, they're best made with pricier, extra-tender cuts of meat such as leg of lamb or fillet of steak.

The traditional seasoning below includes lots of onion, herbs and zesty paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cayenne pepper is optional; we do like to include it.

For a simpler variation, you can omit the paprika and cumin and season only with the onion, herbs and salt and pepper. Vegetables are not traditionally threaded onto the skewers with the meat, but you can do so if you like.

Classic Moroccan Lamb or Beef Kebabs (Brochettes) on a platter — The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Serve Moroccan kebabs as an entrée, as part of a multi-course meal, or as a sandwich filler in crusty Moroccan bread or pita-like batbout. Tomato and roasted pepper salad is a popular accompaniment and sometimes my in-laws offer black olive tapenade as well.

For best results you'll want to allow two hours or longer for the meat to marinade in the spices, so plan ahead.

Moroccan Chicken or Turkey Kebabs (Brochettes) Recipe

Moroccan Chicken or Turkey Kebabs (Brochettes) on a platter

Classic Moroccan Lamb or Beef Kebabs (Brochettes)/Tester Image

"I used a food processor to prepare the marinade and it cut the prep time in half. I used half beef sirloin and half leg of lamb, and the tenderness of the sirloin made it our favorite. These skewers are deliciously savory and go with a wide variety of accompaniments."—Danielle Centoni

2 1/2 pounds beef filet, or leg of lamb, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Gather the ingredients.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Transfer the meat to a large bowl. Add the onion, parsley, cilantro, oil, lemon juice, paprika, salt, cumin, and pepper.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Use your hands to mix the meat with the spices, kneading it gently to ensure even distribution. Cover the bowl, refrigerate, and let marinate for 2 hours or up to overnight.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Prepare a gas or charcoal grill to medium heat (350 F to 375 F). Thread the meat onto metal skewers, or wood skewers which have been soaked in water for at least 30 minutes.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Cook the kebabs in batches for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, turning two or three times, or until the meat is done to your liking, about 10 minutes total for medium.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck
Transfer the cooked kebabs to a plate as they become done. Cover with foil to stay warm while you cook the remaining kebabs.

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
540	Calories
35g	Fat
3g	Carbs
51g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories	540
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 35g	45%
Saturated Fat 13g	65%
Cholesterol 183mg	61%
Sodium 811mg	35%
Total Carbohydrate 3g	1%
Dietary Fiber 1g	3%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 51g
Vitamin C 4mg	21%
Calcium 51mg	4%
Iron 4mg	21%
Potassium 701mg	15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.