By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by The Beef Checkoff and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.This is a dish that the whole family will love! Kofta kebabs are common in many parts of the Mediterranean, Middle East and Persia. They’re made with ground meat instead of cubed meat and are packed with flavor. Think ground beef mixed with fresh parsley, garlic and warm spices like coriander and cumin. Yum! Serve them with my creamy tzatziki sauce and some flat bread and you’ve got a delicious and easy meal that’s perfect for casual summer dining.
lean muscle mass and reduce body fat.
Although there are many food sources of protein, not all proteins are equal. Complete proteins contain all of the essential amino acids that are needed by our bodies. They are found mostly in animal sources of protein like beef, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products. Plant based protein sources like beans, seeds, vegetables, grains and nuts are usually incomplete proteins, which means that they lack one or more of the amino acids that your body can’t produce. There are a few vegetarian foods like soy, quinoa and chia seeds that are complete proteins.There are many cuts of beef that are considered lean, which means that they have less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 3 ounce serving. To learn more about the lean cuts of beef, check out the Beef Checkoff website.
These aren’t your usual kebabs! My Beef Kofta Kebabs with Tzatziki Sauce are bursting with flavor and protein.
- 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
- 3 tablespoons grated or minced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- Olive oil, for brushing the grill
- Flat bread, for serving (optional)
- 1 cup plain nonfat or reduced fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup grated cucumber, squeezed dry
- 1 clove garlic, grated or minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh mint or dill (or ¼ teaspoon dried)
- Pinch of kosher salt
- Mix the beef, onion, garlic, parsley, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.
- Divide the mixture into 12 roughly even balls. Mold each ball around the pointed end of a skewer, making an oval kebab that comes to a point just covering the tip of the skewer. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 15 minutes before threading them.
- Heat a grill pan over medium high heat or prepare a grill. Brush the pan lightly with olive oil. Grill the kebabs, turning occasionally, until brown all over and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with tzatziki sauce and flat bread.
- To make the tzatziki sauce, mix all of ingredients together in a bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Check out below to see the other great beef recipes from my fellow Reduxers!
Erin says
August 10, 2015 at 2:22 pmI love kofta, Sonali! 🙂 Such a great recipe! I can't wait to try this with all of those delicious spices!
sonaliruder says
August 19, 2015 at 5:23 amThanks, Erin! I hope you like it 🙂
Farrah says
August 11, 2015 at 1:29 amWhy hello, one of my favorite things in the world that I've never tried making! :O These look so delicious! <3 I can't wait to try em' out after I have a kitchen again! <3
sonaliruder says
August 19, 2015 at 5:24 amThanks, Farrah! They're actually really easy to make!
Derek says
August 11, 2015 at 3:45 pmThese look awesome. Thanks for the recipe!
sonaliruder says
August 19, 2015 at 5:24 amThanks for stopping by!
Shashi Charles says
August 11, 2015 at 5:42 pmNow, I am not a big beef eater – but your beef flavored with all these spices and dunked in that Tzatziki has me salivating, Sonali! Good Luck in the contest – fingers crossed!
sonaliruder says
August 19, 2015 at 5:24 amFingers crossed! Thanks, Shashi 🙂
Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies says
August 12, 2015 at 12:49 amI have never made Kofta, but this sounds and looks delicious. I know my husband and I will both enjoying trying this, so putting it on our menu soon!
sonaliruder says
August 19, 2015 at 5:26 amThey're delicious and really easy to make. I hope you like them!
Arpita @ The Gastronomic Bong says
August 14, 2015 at 9:22 amThese beef kofta kebabs are lip smacking!! Love them with the tzatziki sauce!! 🙂
sonaliruder says
August 19, 2015 at 5:27 amThanks so much!
Selena says
August 14, 2015 at 2:15 pmI've always wanted to make kafta kebobs! They are SO good at Mediterranean restaurants but I have never had the chance to try them myself. Plus tzatsiki is life…these would be great for an early summer Saturday dinner 🙂 Pinning!
sonaliruder says
August 19, 2015 at 5:28 amThanks, Selena! I always order them at restaurants! I hope you try the recipe 🙂
Lisa Lin says
August 14, 2015 at 2:30 pmSonali, these beef kebabs are making my mouth water, and it's only 8:30am here. Love that you used lean beef here!
sonaliruder says
August 19, 2015 at 5:29 amHaha! Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!
athletic avocado says
August 14, 2015 at 2:32 pmI love kebabs! These look awesome 🙂 Totally pinning!
sonaliruder says
August 19, 2015 at 5:29 amThanks so much!
Marissa says
August 14, 2015 at 9:49 pmThese look absolutely fantastic, Sonali! I imagine these would be wonderful with lamb too. And can't wait to try your tzatziki recipe too!
sonaliruder says
August 19, 2015 at 5:30 amThanks, Marissa! You can make them with lamb or a combination of lamb and beef. Hope you enjoy it!
yung@foodyoo.com says
August 15, 2015 at 1:53 pmYour Tzatziki sauce sounds great. Chili sauce and mustard sauce are the most common to me for kebab. Sauce with yogurt and spices, sounds yummy… 🙂
sonaliruder says
August 19, 2015 at 5:31 amThank you! The cooling yogurt sauce goes nicely with the spices in the kabobs 🙂