Description

This Kofta Recipe features juicy, spiced ground beef or lamb shaped into kebabs and grilled to perfection. Enhanced with fresh herbs and aromatic spices like sumac, cumin, and cinnamon, these Mediterranean-style kebabs are served with classic accompaniments such as tzatziki, hummus, Greek salad, crumbled feta, and warm pita bread. Ideal for a flavorful, satisfying meal that brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your table.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef or ground lamb
1 small onion, finely chopped or shredded
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
1 tablespoon sumac
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Accompaniments

Tzatziki sauce
Hummus
Greek salad
Crumbled feta cheese
Warm pita bread

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Instructions

Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, sumac, black pepper, salt, allspice, cumin, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices and herbs throughout the meat.
Chill Mixture: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together and the mixture to firm up for better shaping. You may refrigerate up to overnight for enhanced flavor.
Form Kebabs: Moisten your hands with water to prevent sticking, then mold about ½ cup of the kofta mixture into a cylinder shape around each skewer. Repeat this process until all the mixture is used, forming 12 kebabs in total.
Prepare Grill: Oil the grill grates lightly to prevent sticking and preheat the grill to medium-high heat, ensuring it is hot enough to cook the kebabs evenly without burning.
Grill Kebabs: Place the kofta kebabs on the grill and cook for approximately 5 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides evenly until fully cooked through and the exterior is nicely charred.
Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) and allow it to preheat for optimal cooking conditions.
Air Fry Kebabs: Place a few kebabs into the air fryer basket, making sure they are spaced well and not overcrowded. Cook the kebabs for 7 to 8 minutes, shaking or turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.
Serve: Present the hot kofta kebabs on warm pita bread alongside tzatziki sauce, hummus, Greek salad, and crumbled feta cheese for a complete and authentic Mediterranean meal experience.

Notes

For best results, use fresh herbs and high-quality ground meat.
Refrigeration time helps the flavors develop and makes shaping easier.
You can cook the kebabs solely on the grill or solely in the air fryer if preferred; both methods yield delicious results.
Be careful not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow hot air to circulate and cook the kebabs evenly.
These kebabs can be made in advance and refrigerated or frozen for convenience.