Beef Koftas With Yogurt Sauce

Name: Beef Koftas With Yogurt Sauce
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 12 oz ground beef; 1 shallot, finely chopped; 1 large egg, beaten; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tsp olive oil; 1 tsp cumin; ½ tsp smoked paprika; ¼ tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp lemon zest; 4 pieces pita bread, to serve; 1 cup greek yogurt; 2 tsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp ground black pepper; ½ tsp salt

Beef koftas are spiced Turkish meatballs molded onto skewers and served with cooling yogurt sauce and pita bread. The blend of cumin, smoked paprika, and cinnamon delivers authentic Middle Eastern warmth in every bite.

🌍Middle Eastern 🏷️Beef 🏷️Koftas 🏷️Turkish 🏷️Meatballs 🏷️Skewers

Total

40 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$29–$48

Ingredients

12 oz ground beef
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 large egg, beaten
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp lemon zest
4 pieces pita bread, to serve
1 cup greek yogurt
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp salt

16 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a large bowl, stir together kofta ingredients with 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp ground black pepper until well combined. Roll mixture into tablespoon-sized portions and thread onto skewers.
2
Transfer skewers to a foil-lined baking sheet sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Adjust oven rack 3-5 inches below broiler element. Broil koftas for 4-5 minutes until browned. Flip skewers and broil other side for 4-5 minutes, or until meat registers 155°F with an instant-read thermometer.
3
While the kofta cook, stir together yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and ½ tsp salt.
4
Divide skewers, yogurt sauce, and pita between plates, and serve.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Don't overwork the meat mixture; combine just until spices are evenly distributed to keep koftas tender.
Mold the mixture firmly onto skewers and chill for 15–20 minutes before cooking to prevent them from falling apart.
Brush skewers lightly with olive oil before grilling to prevent sticking and encourage even browning.
Serve immediately after cooking while koftas are still warm, paired with yogurt sauce and warm pita for the best texture contrast.

Substitutions

ground beef → ground lamb or ground turkey (maintains authentic flavor; turkey yields leaner result)
smoked paprika → sweet paprika or cayenne (adjust heat level as preferred)
shallot → yellow onion, finely minced (milder flavor, requires same amount)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooked koftas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes or warm gently in a skillet over low heat.