Description
Delicious and flavorful Middle Eastern Kofta made with ground beef or lamb, blended with aromatic spices, fresh herbs, and grilled to perfection. Perfectly paired with warm pita, tzatziki or tahini sauce, and fresh vegetables for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb (or a mix)
- 1 small onion, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
Spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and all the spices including cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, allspice, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly using your hands until well combined, taking care not to overwork the meat to keep the kofta tender.
- Shape the Kofta: Divide the meat mixture into 8 to 10 equal portions. Shape each portion into oval-shaped logs or small patties. If you prefer using skewers, form the kofta mixture around metal or soaked wooden skewers to keep their shape during cooking.
- Preheat and Cook: Heat a grill or a skillet over medium-high heat and brush it lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the koftas on the grill or skillet and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure they brown evenly on all sides and are cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the cooked koftas from heat and serve hot. Pair them with warm pita bread, your choice of tzatziki or tahini sauce, and fresh vegetables or salad for a complete and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Kofta can be baked in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 20 minutes as an alternative cooking method.
- Air-frying is a quick option to cook kofta while achieving a crispy exterior.
- You can freeze uncooked koftas for up to 2 months for easy meal prep and future use.
- To add extra moisture and tenderness, incorporate a tablespoon of plain yogurt into the meat mixture before shaping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 koftas
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
