Description
Delicious and flavor-packed kofta kebabs made with fresh herbs and spices, perfect for gatherings or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or lamb (or a combination)
- 1 small onion, finely grated (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Pita bread or flatbreads
- Tzatziki sauce or tahini sauce
- Fresh vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion)
- Fresh herbs (additional parsley and mint for garnish)
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, paprika, black pepper, salt, olive oil, and cayenne pepper (if using). Use your hands to mix everything together until just combined. Avoid overworking the meat to keep the kebabs tender.
- Shape the kofta: Wet your hands slightly to prevent sticking. Take about a golf ball-sized portion of the mixture and shape it into an elongated kebab, around 4 inches long and 1 inch thick. Repeat this until all the mixture is used. This usually takes about 10 minutes.
- Preheat the grill or skillet: If you’re using a grill, preheat it to medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C). For a skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Cook the kebabs: Place the kebabs on the grill or in the skillet, leaving space between them. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they get a nice char and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C). Don’t flip them too soon, or they might fall apart.
- Rest and serve: Once cooked, remove the kebabs from heat and let them rest for 5 minutes for the juices to redistribute. Serve with pita bread, fresh vegetables, and your choice of sauce. Enjoy the vibrant flavors!
Notes
Use fresh herbs for the best flavor; dried herbs can be less fragrant. Mix the meat gently to avoid toughness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 kebab
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg