Description
Kofta Kebab is a classic Eastern Mediterranean dish featuring ground lamb and beef mixed with aromatic spices, shaped onto skewers, and grilled to perfection. This flavorful and juicy kebab recipe is perfect for a delicious dinner or party appetizer.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound fresh ground lamb
- 1 pound fresh 80/20 ground beef
- 1 small onion, grated or finely minced
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
Spices
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt (or 1 tablespoon kosher salt)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and knead until completely mixed to ensure the spices and meat are well combined.
- Prepare Grill: Set the grill up for direct medium heat (350°F). Preheat the grill with all burners on high for 15 minutes, then turn down to medium heat and clean the grates with a grill brush. For charcoal grills, spread hot coals in a loose single layer.
- Shape Kofta on Skewers: Divide the meat mixture into eight egg-shaped portions. Take one portion and wrap it around the bottom of a skewer, squeezing and working the meat up to form a 1½-inch thick tube. Dimple the surface of the kebab about every inch to create texture and help even cooking. Repeat for all portions.
- Grill Kebabs: Place the kofta kebabs on the grill over direct medium heat. Cook until browned and firm on the bottom, about five minutes. Flip and cook the other side for another five minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the kebabs from the grill carefully as the skewers will be hot. Let the kebabs rest for ten minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Ensure the meat mixture is well kneaded for better binding and uniform flavor.
- Dimpling the kebabs helps them cook evenly and creates nooks to hold more flavor.
- You can substitute ground beef with all lamb or all beef as preferred.
- Serve with pita bread, fresh salad, or yogurt-based sauces like tzatziki for an authentic Eastern Mediterranean experience.
- Use metal skewers for grilling; if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before to prevent burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 311 kcal
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 537 mg
- Fat: 24.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 10.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 19.4 g
- Cholesterol: 82 mg
