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Kofta Kebab with Tzatziki + Pita

Name: Kofta Kebab with Tzatziki + Pita
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef; 1 large yellow onion, grated and excess juice squeezed out; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint; 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley; 2 1/2 tsp cumin; 1 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1/4 cup minced Pitted Green olives (Castelvetrano), minced; 9 short wooden skewers; 3 tomatoes, chopped; 1 cup pitted Castelvetrano olives; 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp red wine vinegar; salt and pepper to taste; 2 cups Greek yogurt; 1/4 cup fresh dill roughly chopped; 3 cloves garlic, grated; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper; juice of one lemon; 1 cucumber grated and squeezed to remove any excess liquid; 3 tbsp olive oil; pitas ((make our fluffy pita recipe!)); fresh mint; fresh dill

Last Updated: October 22, 2024

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The side of a platter of grilled beef kofta kebabs on tzatziki, topped with tomatoes and olives.

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Yield

9 beef kofta

Transport your taste buds with these irresistible kofta kebabs! Juicy, spiced meat skewers paired with cool tzatziki and warm pita create a Mediterranean feast that's sure to become a new family favorite.

This Greek gal is obsessed with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, so you know I love these mouthwatering kofta kebabs with Tzatziki + Pita. Kofta kebabs are delicious, juicy meat skewers made with ground lamb or beef (or both!) mixed with aromatic spices and fresh herbs. This recipe pairs these flavor-packed beef kebabs with cool, creamy tzatziki and fresh tomato salad for a complete meal that my Greek grandmother would totally approve of.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Kofta Kebab with Tzatziki + Pita Recipe

Family-Friendly: These kofta kebabs are fun to eat and can be easily customized – let the kids help mix the meat and shape the kebabs for some fun hands-on cooking.
Flavorful: This recipe is a perfect blend of beef, aromatic spices, and fresh herbs and garlic that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Comforting: This kofta kebab recipe is comfort food with a Mediterranean twist that’s simply impossible to resist.

A platter of grilled beef kofta kebabs and pita on tzatziki, topped with tomatoes and olives.

🍲 Ingredients

Lean Ground Beef – In this kofta kebab recipe, I use lean ground beef, which is filled with high-quality protein and is a great source of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

Pitted Green olives – Adding minced pitted green olives to these kofta kebabs brings a briny, tangy twist to this recipe that perfectly complements the rich meat and aromatic spices. It’s an unexpected pop of flavor that’ll have everyone asking, “What’s your secret?”

👩‍🍳 How to Make This Kofta Kebab with Tzatziki + Pita Recipe

1. Soak the wooden skewers in water while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Make the tzatziki

1. Combine every tzatziki ingredient in a large container or bowl and mix to combine. Set aside in the fridge.

Make the tomato salad

1. In a small bowl combine tomatoes and olives. Drizzle with the olive oil and red wine vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss and then set aside.

Make the beef kofta

1. Make sure the kabob skewers have been soaked in water!

2. To a medium bowl add the beef, grated onion, finely chopped mint, finely chopped parsley, cumin, salt, pepper, cinnamon and finely chopped green olives. Mix until fully combined.

3. Divide the mixture into 9 portions. Mold each portion around the pointed ends of the cocktail skewers, making a sort of oval kabob that covers the pointed end of the skewer.

4. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Spray the pan with cooking spray or brush with olive oil. Once the pan is hot, grill the kabobs, turning every few minutes, until browned all over – this should take about 8-12 minutes. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.

5. To a large serving tray or plate add about 1 cup tzatziki (store the rest of the tzatziki in the fridge to enjoy another time) and spread it over the plate. Arrange the kofta on top of the tzatziki and top with the tomato salad. Finally garnish with fresh mint and fresh dill and serve with pita.

🪄 Tips and Tricks

Don’t skip soaking the wooden skewers in water before you start. This simple step prevents the skewers from burning on the grill, keeping your kebabs intact.
To make perfectly shaped kofta kebabs, wet your hands with cold water before molding the meat mixture around the skewers. This prevents sticking and allows you to make a classic, oval kofta shape that’ll make your plate look like it came straight from a Mediterranean restaurant!
Serve this as an appetizer or make it a meal by adding to a Stuffable Pita Pocket (2 Ingredients!) along with the tomatoes, olives, tzatziki, and red onions.

🗒 Variations

There are so many ways you can make kofta kebabs. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Protein: Swap the protein for ground lamb, a mix of lamb and beef, ground chicken or turkey. Just remember that cooking times will vary depending on what protein you choose.
Serving: This recipe can be served with whatever you have on hand, such as pita, rice, shredded cheeses, tomatoes, avocado, onions, peppers, and more!
Gluten-free: To make this dish gluten-free, skip the pita.

🗒 Best served with

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

🤔 Common Questions

What is the difference between shish kebab and kofta kebab?

Shish kebabs typically feature chunks of marinated meat (like lamb, beef, or chicken) threaded onto skewers. In contrast, kofta kebabs are made with ground meat mixed with spices and herbs and shaped around skewers.

Where do kofta kebabs originate from?

Kofta kebabs have roots that stretch across the Middle East, South Asia, and the Meditterean. While the exact origin is hard to pinpoint, these spiced meat skewers have been a staple in countries like Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, and India for centuries. Each region puts its own spin on the spices and cooking methods, which is why kofta is such a diverse dish.