• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Best Beef Recipes logo
  • Home
  • Find A Recipe
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About Best Beef Recipes
  • Follow Us!

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Ground Beef Recipes

    Beef Kofta Recipe

    Published: May 31, 2022 Modified: Dec 7, 2022 by Isabel Laessig

    Share

    Share
    Pin477
    Tweet
    Email

    Best Beef Recipes is an Amazon Associate. We receive compensation for purchases made through affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    My easy Beef Kofta Recipe is a delicious Mediterranean ground beef dish that's ready in 30 minutes and perfect for feeding your family or a party! Kofta kebabs use simple ingredients for a flavor-packed, inexpensive meal you will want to make again and again.

    Kofta kebabs on a white platter with garlic sauce
    Jump to:
    • Best Beef Kofta
    • Kofta Recipe FAQs
    • Beef Kofta Recipe Ingredients
    • How to Make Kofta
    • Beef Kofta Recipe Tips
    • Ground Beef Temperature Chart
    • Kofta Kebab Recipe Substitutions
    • Sauce for Kofta Kebabs
    • Best Ground Beef Recipes
    • 📌 Pin it for later!
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Best Beef Kofta

    I love ground beef dinners! They're budget-friendly and so simple to make. One of my favorite ground beef recipes is my recipe for Beef Kofta Kebabs. This is a Mediterranean-style dish that has a flavor like you wouldn't believe.

    Packed with spices, this easy beef kofta recipe is a must-try. You can make it for a family dinner or to serve a crowd. The leftovers are just as delicious - if you even have any! My family always comes back for seconds when I make these kebabs.

    Give them a try with creamy garlic sauce and a salad on the side, and I guarantee you'll come back for more, too! Another family favorite recipe is my birria tacos recipe. It is an amazing combination of flavors and perfect for a family get together.

    Kofta kebabs on a white plate with vegetables on the side

    Kofta Recipe FAQs

    What is kofta?

    Kofta is a Middle Eastern meatball or loaf made using ground meat mixed with herbs and onions. It's also known as kafta, kofte, or kefta, all names that come from the Persian word kufta. Kufta means a rissole, or rolled meat patty.

    Can I make kebabs without a grill?

    Ground beef kebabs can be made in the oven or on the stove. Preheat your oven to 350ºF and bake on a greased baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes until cooked through to at least 160ºF. Or, use a grill pan over medium-high heat, and grill on each side until browned and cooked through. If you don't own a grill pan, cook the kofta without skewers in a pan.

    How long do you soak skewers?

    Soak bamboo skewers for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour before grilling, but do not let them soak for more than 3 hours. This prevents the skewers from burning on the grill.

    What is kofta seasoning made of?

    Kofta seasoning uses ground white pepper, sea salt, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, chopped white onion, and fresh parsley and mint.

    What does kofta taste like?

    Beef kofta is full of strong Mediterranean flavors and has a spiced, earthy taste.

    Beef Kofta Recipe Ingredients

    • ground beef
    • 1sea salt
    • white pepper
    • red pepper flakes
    • cinnamon
    • ground ginger
    • allspice
    • onion chopped
    • fresh parsley finely chopped
    • fresh mint finely chopped
    Ingredients to make beef kofta kebabs on a table

    How to Make Kofta

    1. In a small bowl, combine sea salt, white pepper, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, ground ginger, and allspice.
    2. In a large bowl, add ground beef, parsley, mint, white onion, and the spice mix.Mixing kofta beef in glass bowl
    3. Form ground beef mixture into about 8 logs. Skewer each log, packing the mixture evenly and tightly around each skewer. Pull the ground beef lengthwise from the tip of the skewer toward the handle, leaving four inches of the skewer to hold kebabs.Skewering kofta kebabs over a white plate
    4. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight before grilling.Uncooked kofta kebabs on a white plate
    5. Grill skewers over medium-high heat until cooked through, approximately 2 minutes for each side. The internal temperature should reach 160°F on a meat thermometer.Complete beef kofta on a white platter on skewers

    Beef Kofta Recipe Tips

    • Use 80 to 85% lean ground beef. A little fat keeps the beef kofta juicy and moist.
    • Size each kofta log evenly so they take the same amount of time to cook.
    • This recipe is keto-friendly.
    Complete beef kofta on a white platter on skewers

    Ground Beef Temperature Chart

    The USDA recommends ground beef be cooked to a minimum of 160°F.

    DonenessTemperatureAppearance
    Rare120-125°FBright reddish pink throughout
    Medium-rare130-135°FPink throughout
    Medium140-145°FSlightly pink at the center
    Medium-well150-155°FMostly brown throughout, with some pink
    Well-done150-155°FBrown throughout
    chart showing beef temps

    Kofta Kebab Recipe Substitutions

    • White pepper is best for beef kofta kebabs, but if you have none on hand you can use black pepper.
    • For more or less spice, you can add more or take out the red pepper flakes.
    • You can use dried herbs instead of fresh if you prefer. Use 4 teaspoons dried parsley and 1 teaspoon dried mint.

    Sauce for Kofta Kebabs

    • My favorite is White Garlic Sauce. It is literally made for this dish!
    • Lebanese toum is a Lebanese garlic sauce perfect for serving with kebabs.
    • Aioli is amazing with ground beef kebabs.
    • Tahini also works well.
    • Tzatziki is delicious with kofta kebabs.
    Kofta kebabs on a white platter

    Best Ground Beef Recipes

    • Korean Beef
    • Meatball Sub Recipe
    • Honey Sriracha Meatballs Recipe
    • Homemade Chili
    • Stuffed Peppers

    Try more of my favorite ground beef recipes:

    📌 Pin it for later!

    Did you enjoy this page? Save it on Pinterest for later!

    Share

    Pin

    Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating below to let us know what you think! We love to hear from you!

    📋 Recipe

    Beef kofta kebabs with garlic sauce on a white platter
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    4.63 from 8 votes

    Amazing Beef Kofta Recipe

    My easy Beef Kofta Kebab recipe is a delicious Mediterranean ground beef dish that's ready in 30 minutes. Kofta kebabs use simple ingredients for a flavor-packed, inexpensive meal you will want to make again and again!
    Prep Time25 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Lebanese
    Keyword: beef kofta, beef kofta kebab, beef kofta recipe, kofta recipe
    Servings: 8 kebabs
    Calories: 226kcal
    Author: Isabel Laessig

    Equipment

    • 8 metal skewers or wooden skewers (soak for 30 minutes)

    Ingredients

    • 1½ pounds ground beef 80 or 85% lean
    • 1 tsp. sea salt
    • ½ tsp. ground white pepper
    • ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
    • ¼ tsp. cinnamon
    • ¼ tsp. ground ginger
    • ½ tsp. allspice
    • ½ white onion chopped
    • 4 Tbsp. fresh parsley finely chopped
    • 1 Tbsp. fresh mint finely chopped

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, combine sea salt, white pepper, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, ground ginger, and allspice. In a large bowl, add ground beef, parsley, mint, white onion, and the spice mix.
      Mixing kofta beef in glass bowl
    • Form ground beef mixture into about 8 logs. Skewer each log, packing the mixture evenly and tightly around each skewer. Pull the ground beef lengthwise from the tip of the skewer toward the handle, leaving four inches of skewer to hold the kebabs.
      Skewering kofta kebabs over a white plate
    • Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight before grilling.
      Uncooked kofta kebabs on a white plate
    • Grill skewers over medium-high heat until cooked through and browned on all sides, approximately 2 minutes for each side. The internal temperature should reach 160°F on a meat thermometer.
      Complete beef kofta on a white platter on skewers

    Notes

    • Use 80 to 85% lean ground beef. A little fat keeps the beef kofta juicy and moist.
    • Size each kofta log evenly so they take the same amount of time to cook.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1kebab | Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 306mg | Potassium: 303mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 795IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg

    Share

    Share
    Pin477
    Tweet
    Email
    « Grilled Beef Tenderloin Recipe
    Philly Cheesesteak Sliders Recipe »

    About Isabel Laessig

    Isabel Laessig, better known as Family Foodie and the founder of the Sunday Supper Movement, is passionate about food and family! She is the author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook, and makes regular television appearances to spread her mission of bringing Sunday Supper back around the family table in every home.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kela says

      November 28, 2021 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious. Adjusted the spice level a bit to reduce the heat. Will make this again.

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        November 30, 2021 at 12:00 pm

        Thank you so much for sharing, Kela! We're so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply

    Leave a comment or question - we love to hear from you! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Let's Get Social

    • Family Foodie Facebook
    • Sunday Supper Pinterest
    • Sunday Supper Youtube
    • Family Foodie Instagram
    • Family Foodie Tiktok

    Best Beef Dinner Ideas

    • Chuck Roast in the Oven
    • Our Famous Burger Seasoning
    • Air Fryer Steak
    • Birria Tacos Recipe
    • Smoked Brisket Recipe
    • Boneless Prime Rib Recipe

    Footer

    Our Brands

    Best Beef Recipes | Sunday Supper Movement | Easy Sauce Recipes | Best Side Dishes | Best Pork Bites

    About Us

    • Contact Us
    • About Best Beef Recipes
    • Disclosure & Privacy
    • Sign up for our Newsletter!
    sunday supper movement logo

    Best Beef Recipes is part of the Sunday Supper Media publishing family.

    ↑ back to top

    Copyright ©2019-2023 Best Beef Recipes, All Rights Reserved.