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    Home » Recipes » Beef Recipes

    Beef Kofta Kebabs Recipe

    Published: May 21, 2023 by Chef Dennis Littley

    242 shares
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    5 from 41 votes
    Jump to Recipe

    Beef Kofta kebabs are a delicious and versatile dish that has been enjoyed for centuries across the Middle East and beyond. These succulent meat skewers are made with ground beef, infused with fragrant spices, and grilled to perfection.

    Beef Kofta Kebabs with a bowl of tzatziki sauce on a white plate.

    Good ground beef is important when making Beef Kofta Kebabs. Use lean ground beef that has a good balance of fat content. The fat adds moisture and flavor to the kebabs, ensuring they remain juicy and tender when cooked.

    I’ve had Lebanese kebabs made with ground lamb that were OMG delicious, so if you’re a fan of lamb, you can use ground lamb to make these delicious kabobs.

    Beef Kofta Kebabs with a bowl of tzatziki sauce on a white plate.

    These delicious beef kababs can be made on an indoor grill pan or over the open flames of your outdoor grill. If you don’t have a grill, these Beef Kafta Kababs can be made on a baking sheet in your oven.

    One of my other favorite ground beef dishes is my Greek Pasta Bake.

    Table of Contents:
    • Ingredients to make Beef Kofta Kebabs
    • How to make Beef Kofta Kebabs
    • How to make Tzatziki Sauce
    • Recipe FAQ’s
    • More Ground Beef Recipes
    • Recipe: Beef Kofta Kebabs

    Ingredients to make Beef Kofta Kebabs

    Ingredients to make recipe.

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Beef Kofta Kebabs and Tzatziki Sauce. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

    Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    Made with simple ingredients

    • ground beef (or ground lamb)
    • fresh garlic cloves
    • onions
    • fresh parsley
    • fresh mint
    • fresh cilantro
    • sweet paprika (or smoked paprika)
    • cumin
    • turmeric
    • salt
    • black pepper
    • red pepper flakes. (if you like heat, you can add a little cayenne pepper)

    The key to great beef kafta kabobs lies in the quality and blend of spices used. Traditional middle eastern spices can include cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, and cloves. Fresh herbs are also important to the blend and can include fresh parsley, fresh mint, and fresh cilantro. Combined with the richness of ground beef, these spices create an aromatic and flavorful base for the kebabs.

    But remember, these are suggestions, use the flavors you enjoy eating. Mix and match your favorite seasonings from the list to make a spice blend that your whole family will love.

    How to make Beef Kofta Kebabs

    Collage showing how to start recipe.
    • Add all the seasonings to a bowl.
    • Whisk the seasonings to blend together.
    • Place the ground beef, spice blend, chopped garlic, and chopped onions in a large bowl.
    • Mix the ingredients together to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to give the seasonings time to bloom.
    Collage showing how to make recipe.
    • Shape the seasoned beef into logs (oblong shape).
    • Skewer the kafta meat with the wooden skewers (or metal skewers), squeezing the mixture to mold it to the skewer.
    • Place the kabobs on a hot grill pan over medium-high heat and cook for 5-6 minutes.
    • Turn the beef kofta kabobs halfway through the cooking process and continue to cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

    You can also use a gas grill or charcoal grill to cook the kabobs. Beef Kofta Kabobs can also be cooked in a 350-degree oven for 15-18 minutes.

    How to make Tzatziki Sauce

    collage showing how to make tzatziki sauce.
    • Add the Greek yogurt, cucumber, fresh chopped mint, fresh lemon juice, and salt to a medium bowl.
    • Whisk the ingredients together to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate the sauce until ready to serve.
    Beef Kofta Kebabs on rice with a side of tzatziki sauce on a white plate.

    After one bite, I know you’re going to love my Beef . Serve them over fragrant coconut rice with warm pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and baba ganoush for a meal you won’t soon forget!

    Wouldn’t these beef kofta kebabs make a delicious weeknight dinner? You can have them on the dinner table in under an hour.

    Recipe FAQ’s

    What is the difference between beef kofta kebabs and other kebabs?

    Traditional kebabs are made with chunks of meat or seafood, while kofta kebabs are made with ground beef or ground lamb or a combination of the two mixed with seasonings and formed on a skewer.

    What are Beef Kofta Kebabs?

    Beef Kofta Kebabs is a dish made from ground beef mixed with various spices and herbs, shaped into small patties or cylinders, and then grilled or roasted on skewers. They are typically served with flatbread, rice, or salad.
    They are popular in the Indian subcontinent through Central Asia, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Northern Africa.

    Can I make Beef Kofta Kebabs without skewers?

    Yes, you can. If you don’t have skewers, you can still make Beef Kofta Kebabs by shaping the meat mixture into small patties or cylinders and then grilling them directly on a grill, grill pan, or in the oven.

    More Ground Beef Recipes

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      Classic Stuffed Peppers
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      Easy Hamburger Soup Recipe
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      Best Baked Italian Meatballs

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    Beef kofta kebabs on a white plate with bowl of tzatziki sauce
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    5 from 41 votes

    Beef Kofta Kebabs

    Beef Kofta kebabs are a delicious and versatile dish that has been enjoyed for centuries across the Middle East and beyond. These succulent meat skewers are made with ground beef, infused with fragrant spices, and grilled to perfection.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time12 minutes mins
    Total Time22 minutes mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Moroccan
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 347kcal

    Equipment

    • Grill Pan or Outdoor Grill

    Ingredients

    Beef Kebabs

    • 4 wooden skewers or metal skewers
    • 1 pound ground beef you need some fat in the meat, use 85/15 or 80/20 for the best results.
    • 1 cup onion finely minced
    • 1 teaspoon garlic finely minced
    • 2 teaspoon sweet paprika or smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes more or less to taste
    • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
    • ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
    • 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves chopped

    Tzatziki Sauce

    • 1 cup Greek yogurt
    • ½ cup grated peeled cucumber squeeze dry
    • 1 teaspoon garlic finely minced
    • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon fresh mint finely chopped
    • ¼ teaspoon salt to taste
    US Customary – Metric
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    Instructions

    Beef Kebabs

    • Add the spices to a small bowl and whisk to blend together.
    • Place the ground beef, spice blend, chopped garlic, and chopped onions in a large bowl.
    • Mix the ingredients together to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to give the seasonings time to bloom.
    • Form the seasoned beef into a log shape (long cylinder shapes).
    • Skewer the kafta meat with the wooden skewers (or metal skewers), squeezing the mixture to mold it to the skewer.
    • Place the kabobs on a hot grill pan over medium-high heat and cook for 5-6 minutes.
    • Turn the beef kofta kabobs halfway through the cooking process and continue to cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
      You can also cook these on a gas or charcoal grill to cook the kabobs. Kabobs can also be cooked in a 350-degree oven for 15-18 minutes.

    Tzatziki Sauce

    • Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and whisk together to combine. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to serve.
    • Serve the Beef Kebabs with coconut rice and tzatziki sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley.

    Notes

    If you use wooden skewers and cook over an outdoor grill with an open flame, make sure to soak the wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent them from burning.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 347kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 829mg | Potassium: 524mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 977IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

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    1. Erin

      June 26, 2023 at 12:13 am

      5 stars
      I had to try these right away as I love the ingredients and actually had them on hand! These were even better than our local restaurant. They were a hit with everyone and that sauce is just perfection. Thanks!

      Reply
    2. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

      June 25, 2023 at 9:12 pm

      5 stars
      Well Dennis you were in my head this week as I was telling my team I wanted to make Kofta but with beef! And then I stumble upon your recipe! These were so easy to make and the flavor is INSANE!!!

      We made these on the Santa Maria Asadera and that grill char was incredible!

      Reply
    3. Veronika

      June 25, 2023 at 3:57 pm

      5 stars
      All the dried herbs and spices added so much flavor to these kebabs, we loved them! We cooked them on a pan but I can’t wait to try cooking them on the grill next.

      Reply
    4. Ann

      June 25, 2023 at 10:48 am

      5 stars
      I love kebabs for summer! So quick and easy to make! Thanks for the recipe share – excited to give it a try!

      Reply
    5. Amy Liu Dong

      June 25, 2023 at 6:00 am

      5 stars
      I love how easy and delicious this recipe is.
      I made this yesterday and my family loves it so much!

      Reply
    6. Sharon

      June 24, 2023 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      The fresh herbs in these beef kofta kebabs are the star of the dish because of the lovely meld of flavors.

      Reply
    7. Lisa

      June 24, 2023 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      I love the seasoning in these kebabs. And the creamy yogurt sauec complements the kofta perfectly!!

      Reply
    8. Jessica

      June 24, 2023 at 10:41 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for the step by step on these…I really wanted to be sure I got them right so they cooked up well 😉 And the tzatziki was a perfect cool summer grilling pair. Loved it!

      Reply
    9. Lauren Michael Harris

      June 22, 2023 at 12:30 pm

      5 stars
      I just love recipes like these beef kabobs. Everything tasted so fresh and had so much flavor. The whole family loved it!

      Reply
    10. Cathleen

      June 20, 2023 at 9:16 am

      5 stars
      I am so excited to make these kebabs! My husband was looking over my shoulder when I was looking at the photos, and he said “this is the one”. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe 🙂

      Reply
    11. Joan

      June 03, 2023 at 8:11 am

      We don’t grill. I bet this would be great made as meatballs. I love tzatziki sauce.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        June 03, 2023 at 8:13 am

        I used a grill pan for the kebabs,but you’re right they would be delicious meatballs.

        Reply

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    My name is Dennis Littley or “Chef Dennis” as I’m known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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