Description
Sizzling Mediterranean flavors come alive in Middle Eastern Beef Kofta Kebabs with Tzatziki, where seasoned ground beef meets a cool, tangy yogurt sauce that takes your taste buds on a delicious journey through spice and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
Herbs and Spices:
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill or mint, chopped
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- Blend 1 pound ground beef, 1 small grated onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, ¼ cup chopped parsley, 2 teaspoons cumin, 2 teaspoons coriander, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Gently form the meat mixture into elongated oval patties, carefully molding them around metal or wooden skewers so they hold together firmly.
- Heat your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to 425°F (218°C), ensuring grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Place prepared kebabs on the heated grill, cooking for 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) and exterior develops a golden-brown crust.
- While kebabs cook, prepare tzatziki by combining 1 cup Greek yogurt, ½ grated cucumber (excess water squeezed out), juice from 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons chopped dill or mint, and a pinch of salt.
- Transfer grilled kebabs to a serving platter, allowing them to rest for 3-4 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
- Serve hot kebabs immediately alongside the freshly prepared tzatziki sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Mixing the meat gently prevents tough kebabs, so handle the ground beef with a light touch when combining ingredients.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before using to prevent burning during grilling.
- For a leaner version, swap beef for ground turkey or lamb, which work beautifully with the same Mediterranean spices.
- Chilling the meat mixture for 30 minutes before shaping helps the kebabs hold together better and allows flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Beef
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 329 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg