Beef Kofta Kebabs Yogurt Sauce (Printable)
Grilled, spiced beef kofta with cool cucumber mint yogurt sauce. A flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish, perfect for any meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Kofta Kebabs
01 - 1.1 pounds ground beef (85% lean recommended)
02 - 1 small onion, finely grated
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing)
→ For the Cucumber Mint Yogurt Sauce
14 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
15 - 1/2 cucumber, finely grated with excess moisture squeezed out
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
17 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (optional)
18 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
19 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
20 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
21 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ To Serve
22 - Lemon wedges
23 - Warm pita bread or rice (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the ground beef, finely grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, smoked paprika, chili flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated, taking care not to overwork the meat.
02 - Divide the prepared mixture into eight equal portions. Shape each portion around a metal skewer or a pre-soaked wooden skewer, forming a long, uniform sausage. Press firmly to ensure the meat adheres securely to the skewer.
03 - Preheat your grill or grill pan to a medium-high heat. Lightly brush the shaped kebabs with olive oil to prevent sticking during cooking.
04 - Grill the kofta kebabs for 10 to 12 minutes, turning them occasionally, until they are beautifully browned on all sides and cooked through to a safe internal temperature.
05 - While the kebabs are grilling, prepare the cucumber mint yogurt sauce. In a small bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (with excess moisture removed), finely chopped mint, finely chopped dill (if desired), minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
06 - Present the hot kofta kebabs alongside the chilled cucumber mint yogurt sauce. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges, and serve with warm pita bread or rice if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You&ll adore how quickly these come together, making weeknight dinners feel effortlessly exotic.
- The creamy, cooling cucumber mint yogurt sauce is an absolute game-changer, perfectly balancing the rich, spiced meat.
02 -
- Always squeeze the excess water from your grated cucumber for the sauce; skipping this step makes for a watery, sad dip.
- When forming the kofta, pressing the meat firmly around the skewer is vital to prevent them from crumbling on the grill, a lesson I learned the hard way.
03 -
- To ensure your wooden skewers don&t burn on the grill, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the meat.
- For an extra layer of Middle Eastern flavor, add a tiny pinch of ground allspice or a few strands of saffron to the meat mixture.