Turkish Meatballs Kofte Recipe | How to Make Authentic Köfte at Home

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork can be less expensive.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Oats provide a healthier option, while crackers can be more affordable.

Whisk an egg in a bowl.

Add 500 grams of lean lamb or beef mince to the bowl.

Add 1 tablespoon of paprika and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the mince.

Add fresh dill (or dried if fresh is unavailable) to the mixture.

Mix the ingredients with your hands until well combined.

Form the mixture into meatball shapes, yielding about 14 to 16 meatballs.

Heat a large pan on medium heat and add oil.

Pan fry the meatballs for about 10 minutes until browned and cooked through.

Remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside.

In the same pan, add a finely chopped red onion and fry until it starts to brown.

Add 2 garlic cloves (or garlic puree) and fry for a further 30 seconds.

Add chicken stock and a can of chopped tomatoes to the pan.

Add the same spices used in the meatballs: paprika, cinnamon, cumin, and fresh dill (or dried).

Stir in 1 tablespoon of honey to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Return the meatballs to the pan and season with salt and pepper.

Mix everything together and cover the pan with a lid.

Simmer for about 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, remove the lid and add washed chickpeas to the pan.

Mix the chickpeas through and cover again, simmering for another 15 minutes.

Plate the dish and garnish with fresh dill and pine nuts.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens