Description
This Kofta recipe features flavorful ground beef or lamb mixed with aromatic herbs and spices, shaped into skewered kebabs and cooked either on a grill or in an air fryer. Served with warm pita bread, creamy tzatziki sauce, hummus, Greek salad, and crumbled feta cheese, it makes a delicious and satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef or ground lamb
- 1 small onion, finely chopped or shredded
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon sumac
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For Serving
- Tzatziki sauce
- Hummus
- Greek salad
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Warm pita bread
Instructions
- Prepare Kofta Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or lamb with finely chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, sumac, black pepper, salt, allspice, cumin, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly until well combined to evenly distribute the herbs and spices.
- Chill Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. This helps the flavors meld and makes the mixture easier to shape.
- Shape Kebabs: With damp hands, take about ½ cup of the kofta mixture and form it into a cylindrical shape around a skewer. Repeat this step until all the mixture is used.
- Preheat Grill: Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking and heat the grill to medium-high.
- Grill Kebabs: Place the kofta kebabs on the grill and cook for approximately 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are evenly browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Preheat Air Fryer: If using an air fryer, preheat it to 380°F (195°C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- Air Fry Kebabs: Place a few kebabs in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Air fry for 7-8 minutes, shaking or turning the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
- Serve: Remove the cooked kofta kebabs from the heat and serve hot on warm pita bread accompanied by tzatziki sauce, hummus, Greek salad, and crumbled feta cheese for an authentic Mediterranean experience.
Notes
- You can substitute lamb with ground beef or a mixture of both according to preference.
- Letting the kofta mixture rest in the refrigerator enhances flavor and firmness for shaping.
- Skewers can be soaked in water for 30 minutes beforehand if using wooden skewers to prevent burning.
- Adjust the amount of spices according to your taste preference.
- If you don’t have a grill or air fryer, you can cook the koftas in a skillet over medium heat for about 10 minutes, turning regularly.
