Beef Kofta
Beef kofta is a Middle Eastern-inspired dish made with seasoned ground beef, fresh herbs, and toasted pine nuts. Serve it with mint yogurt sauce for a full-flavored meal.
Servings: 4 people
Equipment
- Meat Thermometer Optional
- Grill Pan Optional
- Air Fryer Optional
- Baking Sheet Optional
Ingredients
For the Koftas
- 1 Pound ground beef I used 80/20 blend for juiciness
- 1 onion small, finely grated
- 3 Cloves garlic minced
- ¼ Cup parsley fresh, finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons cilantro fresh, finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons mint fresh, finely chopped
- 1 Teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 Teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ Teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ Teaspoon paprika
- ¼ Teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ Teaspoon chili flakes optional
- ¼ Cup pine nuts lightly toasted and roughly chopped
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil for pan frying or grilling
For the Yogurt Sauce
- 1 Cup Greek yogurt plain
- 2 Tablespoons mint fresh, finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice fresh if possible
- 1 Clove garlic small, finely minced
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Make the Koftas
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, mint, toasted pine nuts, and all the spices.
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Mix thoroughly with your hands until everything is evenly incorporated, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
- Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions.
- Using wet hands, shape each portion into an oval or cigar-like shape around a skewer if using. Alternatively, form them into small patties or logs without skewers.
Cook the Koftas
- Grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates and grill koftas for about 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully cooked and charred in spots.
- Pan fry: Heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the koftas for 6 to 7 minutes, turning to brown all sides.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place koftas on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and cook for about 15 minutes or until cooked through. The exact time can vary depending on the thickness and size of the beef koftas and on your specific air fryer.
Make the Yogurt Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, chopped mint, lemon juice, and minced garlic.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Keep chilled until ready to use.
Plate and Serve
- Serve the hot koftas with a generous spoonful of the mint yogurt sauce.
- If desired, drizzle each beef kofta with a little olive oil before serving.
Notes
Use wet hands: This makes shaping the koftas easier and less sticky.
Chill before cooking: A short chill can help the koftas hold their shape better.
Soak wooden skewers: If using bamboo or wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes beforehand to stop them burning.
Don't overmix: Mix just until combined to keep the texture tender. Overworking the meat can result in dense koftas, so don't use a food processor for this.
Check for doneness: Whichever cooking method you use (oven, air fryer, skillet, or grill pan) the kofta kebabs are done when they're golden brown all over and cooked through (165°F in the center).
Chill before cooking: A short chill can help the koftas hold their shape better.
Soak wooden skewers: If using bamboo or wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes beforehand to stop them burning.
Don't overmix: Mix just until combined to keep the texture tender. Overworking the meat can result in dense koftas, so don't use a food processor for this.
Check for doneness: Whichever cooking method you use (oven, air fryer, skillet, or grill pan) the kofta kebabs are done when they're golden brown all over and cooked through (165°F in the center).
Nutrition
Calories: 432kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 103mg | Potassium: 555mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 611IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 4mg
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