Description
This flavorful Kofta recipe features spiced ground beef or lamb shaped onto skewers and grilled to perfection. Enhanced with aromatic herbs and spices like sumac, cumin, and smoked paprika, these juicy kebabs are served with traditional Mediterranean accompaniments such as tzatziki sauce, hummus, Greek salad, crumbled feta, and warm pita bread for an authentic and satisfying meal.
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
Accompaniments
- Tzatziki sauce
- Hummus
- Greek salad
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Warm pita bread
Instructions
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, sumac, black pepper, salt, allspice, cumin, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Chill mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, or up to overnight for more depth.
- Shape kofta: With damp hands, take approximately ½ cup of the mixture and form it into a cylinder shape around each skewer. Repeat until all the mixture is used.
- Prepare grill: Oil the grill grates lightly and preheat the grill to medium-high heat to ensure the koftas do not stick and cook evenly.
- Grill kofta: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides and ensure even cooking throughout.
- Preheat air fryer: Set the air fryer to 380°F (195°C) and allow it to preheat while grilling or after, based on preference.
- Air fry kofta: Arrange a few kofta kebabs in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Air fry for 7-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
- Serve: Serve the hot kofta kebabs on warm pita bread accompanied by tzatziki sauce, hummus, fresh Greek salad, and crumbled feta cheese for a traditional Mediterranean feast.
Notes
- Using a mix of ground beef and lamb enhances flavor and texture.
- Chilling the kofta mixture helps bind the ingredients together and improves flavor melding.
- Dampening hands before shaping prevents the mixture from sticking.
- Ensure the grill grates are well oiled to prevent koftas from sticking.
- Air frying is a healthier alternative and offers a crispy exterior without excess oil.
- Adjust spices to taste for mild or more robust flavor profiles.
- Leftover kofta can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
