Description
This Kofta Kebab Recipe is a Middle Eastern classic made with spiced ground lamb or beef shaped onto skewers and grilled to perfection. Juicy, flavorful, and aromatic with warm spices, these kebabs are perfect served with pita bread, rice, or fresh salads.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground lamb or ground beef (or a 50/50 mix)
- 1 small onion, finely grated or minced (squeeze out excess moisture)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes or minced fresh chili
- Optional: 1–2 tablespoons breadcrumbs for binding
- Olive oil, for brushing
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb or beef, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and black pepper. Add chili flakes and breadcrumbs if using.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly with your hands until well combined but do not overmix.
- Divide the mixture into equal portions and shape each around metal or wooden skewers, forming long oval kebabs.
- Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly brush the kebabs with olive oil.
- Grill the kofta kebabs for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Remove from the grill and let rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.
- Serve warm with pita bread, rice, or fresh salad, and garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
- For juicier kebabs, use lamb or a 50/50 beef-lamb mix.
- Refrigerating the shaped kebabs for 30 minutes before grilling helps them hold their shape better.
- Can also be baked at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes if grilling isn’t an option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 kebab (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: kofta kebab recipe, lamb kofta, beef kofta, Middle Eastern kebab, halal kebab