Smashed Beef Kofta with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Name: Smashed Beef Kofta with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 500g / 1 lb ground beef (mince), 20% fat preferred; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp coriander; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1/2 tsp allspice; 1/2 tsp chili flakes (or to taste); 1 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking); 1 cup plain yogurt; 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp fresh mint or dill, chopped; Salt and pepper to taste

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Smashed Beef Kofta is a quick Middle Eastern dinner of spiced ground beef patties seared in a hot skillet until deeply crusted, then served with a cooling cucumber yogurt sauce. The smashing technique creates maximum crust in minimal time.

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🏷️Smashed kofta

🏷️Ground beef

Smashed Beef Kofta with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Total

20 min

Servings

4

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Recipetin Eats

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Heat the skillet until very hot before adding kofta; this ensures rapid browning and a deep crust on the first side.
Smash the patties down firmly with a spatula immediately after placing them in the skillet; don't move them until the crust forms (2–3 minutes).
Squeeze grated cucumber dry before mixing into the yogurt sauce to prevent the sauce from becoming watery.
Use freshly minced garlic in both the kofta and sauce for the brightest flavor.

Substitutions

Ground lamb → ground beef (use same weight; lamb will have a richer, more traditional flavor)
Plain yogurt → Greek yogurt (sauce will be thicker; thin with 1–2 tbsp water if needed)
Smoked paprika → regular paprika (omit or reduce smokiness)
Fresh mint or dill → fresh cilantro or parsley (adjust quantities by taste)

Storage & make-ahead

Cooked kofta keeps refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat. The yogurt sauce is best made fresh but will keep covered for 1 day.

Common Questions

Can I make kofta ahead of time?

Yes. Form and flatten the patties up to 4 hours ahead; cover and refrigerate. Cook from cold, adding 1–2 minutes to the first side.

What does 20% fat ground beef mean?

Ground beef labeled 80/20 (80% lean, 20% fat). This ratio keeps kofta moist and flavorful; leaner beef tends to dry out.

How do I know when the kofta is cooked through?

Cook 2–3 minutes on the first side until a deep crust forms, flip, then cook 1–2 minutes until no pink remains inside and the center is firm when pressed.

Can I grill these instead of pan-searing?

Yes. Preheat a grill to high heat, oil the grates, then place patties directly on the grill. Smash gently with a spatula and cook 2–3 minutes per side.