Beef Kofta Kebabs Cucumber Yogurt (Printable)
Spiced beef skewers paired with cool cucumber yogurt sauce, perfect for grilling or simple dinners.
# What You Need:
→ Kofta Mixture
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef (85–90% lean)
02 - 1 small onion, finely grated
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp ground coriander
08 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
09 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp chili flakes
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil, for brushing
→ Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
14 - 1 cup Greek yogurt
15 - 1/2 medium cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
18 - 1 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
19 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
20 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Serving Accompaniments
21 - Lemon wedges
22 - Chopped fresh herbs (parsley, mint, or cilantro)
23 - Warm pita or flatbread
# Directions:
01 - Combine ground beef, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and chili flakes in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until spices are evenly distributed, taking care not to overwork the meat.
02 - Divide mixture into 8 equal portions. With moistened hands, mold each portion around a metal or soaked wooden skewer to form 5-6 inch long, sausage-like kebabs.
03 - Arrange shaped kebabs on a tray, cover, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to firm up the mixture and maintain shape during grilling.
04 - Whisk together Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, dill, mint, and lemon juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until serving.
05 - Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature. Lightly brush chilled kebabs with olive oil.
06 - Cook kebabs for 10-12 minutes, rotating occasionally until evenly browned and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F.
07 - Present hot kebabs with chilled cucumber yogurt sauce, lemon wedges, fresh herb garnish, and warm flatbread.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The spice blend hits that perfect balance of warming cinnamon and smoky paprika that makes people ask what you put in there
- That cool cucumber yogurt sauce cuts through the rich beef like magic, and you will want to put it on everything else you make all week
02 -
- Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes or they will burn and you will end up scraping charred wood off your dinner
- The kebabs will firm up as they cook, so do not worry if they feel slightly soft when you are shaping them
03 -
- Keep a spray bottle of water nearby if you are grilling over high heat; flare-ups happen with fatty meat and you want to control them without dousing your dinner
- Serve with extra lemon wedges even if you think you have enough; that bright acid right at the end pulls everything together