Description
Delicious Middle Eastern Kofta Kebabs made with a flavorful blend of ground beef or lamb, herbs, and spices. These juicy kebabs are perfect grilled or air fried, served with tzatziki, hummus, Greek salad, crumbled feta, and warm pita bread for a complete 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
To Serve
- Tzatziki sauce
- Hummus
- Greek salad
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Warm pita bread
Instructions
- Prepare Kofta Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, sumac, black pepper, salt, allspice, cumin, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated into the meat.
- Chill: Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and firm up the mixture for easier shaping.
- Shape Kebabs: With damp hands, take about ½ cup of the kofta mixture and mold it into a cylinder shape around a skewer. Repeat until all the mixture is used, making uniform kebabs.
- Preheat Grill: Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent sticking and heat the grill to medium-high heat, preparing it for cooking the kebabs.
- Grill Kebabs: Place the kofta kebabs on the hot grill and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally so they brown evenly on all sides and are cooked through.
- Preheat Air Fryer: If using an air fryer, preheat it to 380°F (195°C) for optimal cooking temperature.
- Air Fry Kebabs: Arrange a few kebabs in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Air fry for 7-8 minutes, shaking the basket gently halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Serve: Serve the hot kofta kebabs on warm pita bread accompanied by tzatziki sauce, hummus, fresh Greek salad, and crumbled feta cheese for a delightful meal experience.
Notes
- Chilling the kofta mixture helps the kebabs hold their shape better when cooking.
- You can use either ground beef or lamb depending on your preference.
- If skewers are wooden, soak them in water for 30 minutes before using to prevent burning.
- For a smoky flavor, grilling is preferred, but air frying is a convenient alternative.
- Serve with fresh salads and dips to balance the rich flavors of the kofta.
