Greek Kofta Kebabs Recipe
Greek Kofta Kebabs are flavorful ground meat patties mixed with fresh herbs and spices, shaped onto skewers, and grilled to perfection. This traditional Greek dish offers a juicy and aromatic experience, perfect for a satisfying meal accompanied by tzatziki or fresh salad.
- Author: Lara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 8 kebabs) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Meat Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely grated or minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for moisture)
- Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, fresh parsley, mint, grated onion, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly to evenly distribute the herbs and spices throughout the meat.
- Shape the Kofta Kebabs: With clean hands, take small portions of the meat mixture and shape them onto skewers or form into elongated oval patties. Aim for uniform size to ensure even cooking.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, allow the coals to become hot and covered with gray ash.
- Grill the Kebabs: Place the kofta kebabs on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, turning carefully to avoid breaking, until the meat is fully cooked and has a nice char on the outside.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the kebabs from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve warm with traditional accompaniments such as pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and a fresh Greek salad.
Notes
- For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef or lamb.
- Soaking wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling helps prevent them from burning.
- Adjust the level of spices according to your preference for heat and flavor.
- These kebabs can also be cooked under a broiler or on a stovetop grill pan if an outdoor grill is unavailable.
Keywords: Greek kofta, grilled kebabs, ground meat recipes, Mediterranean kebabs, lamb kofta, beef kebabs