Beef Kofta Kebabs Cucumber Yogurt (Printable version)
Spiced beef kofta grilled with a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce, inspired by Middle Eastern flavors.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef Kofta Kebabs
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef (85% 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 tsp ground paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
10 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
→ Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
14 - 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
15 - 1/2 cucumber, finely grated and excess water squeezed out
16 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
17 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
18 - 1 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
19 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
20 - 1/4 tsp salt
21 - Black pepper, to taste
→ To Serve
22 - Warm pita bread or gluten-free wraps (optional)
23 - Sliced red onion, tomatoes, and fresh parsley (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, grated onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, chili flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly by hand until well blended without overworking.
02 - Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a long sausage around a metal or soaked wooden skewer.
03 - Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and brush kebabs lightly with olive oil.
04 - Grill kebabs for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally until evenly browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and allow to rest for a few minutes.
05 - In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, dill, mint, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
06 - Serve the kofta kebabs hot alongside the cucumber yogurt sauce, with optional warm pita or gluten-free wraps and fresh vegetables as desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- These cook fast enough for a weeknight but taste like you've been planning them all day.
- The cucumber yogurt sauce is cool and bright, cutting through the richness in a way that makes you want another bite.
- They're naturally gluten-free and packed with enough spice to make your kitchen smell incredible.
02 -
- Don't skip the resting step for the cooked kebabs—those few minutes let the meat reabsorb its juices and stay moist instead of dry.
- If your sauce tastes too yogurt-heavy, add more lemon juice and herbs; if it's too thin, you didn't squeeze the cucumber enough, and there's no fixing that mid-serve.
03 -
- Metal skewers transfer heat better than wooden ones and are easier to manage on a grill, but if you use wooden, soak them for at least 30 minutes first.
- Don't turn the kebabs too often—let them sit long enough to brown and develop flavor before moving them around.