Middle Eastern Kofta Kebab Recipe

ground lamb

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in fat.

yogurt

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt offers a thicker texture with fewer calories.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and is healthier.

pita bread

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pita

💰Cheaper: flatbread

Whole wheat pita adds fiber and nutrients.

Make a dipping sauce by adding roasted tahini to a bowl.

Press a few garlic cloves through a fine garlic press and add to the tahini.

Squeeze in lemon juice, holding your hand to catch seeds.

Add a bit of cumin and season with sea salt.

Whisk the mixture until combined, adding water to thin if necessary.

Set the tahini sauce in the refrigerator until needed.

Combine ground sirloin and ground lamb in a bowl.

Dice a yellow onion and add it to the meat mixture.

Press garlic cloves through a fine garlic press and add to the mixture.

Finely chop Italian flat leaf parsley and add to the bowl.

Finely chop mint and add to the mixture.

Add sumac, ground allspice, cinnamon, ground cardamom, cumin, paprika, sea salt, and ground black pepper to the mixture.

Mix everything together with gloves or clean hands until well combined.

Wrap the mixture in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes.

Shape the kofta mixture into a cylinder and skewer it onto long skewers.

If the meat falls off the skewer, refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm it up.

Heat a flat top or griddle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

Cook the skewers on medium-high heat (about 400°F) for 4 to 5 minutes per side.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens