Beef Kofta Kebabs Cucumber Yogurt (Printable)
Spiced beef kofta grilled and paired with a cool cucumber yogurt sauce for a flavorful Middle Eastern dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 (optional)
22 - Warm pita bread or gluten-free wraps
23 - Sliced red onion, tomatoes, and fresh parsley
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine ground beef, grated onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, chili flakes if using, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly by hand without overworking.
02 - Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a long sausage around metal or soaked wooden skewers.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly brush kebabs with olive oil.
04 - Grill kebabs for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and let rest briefly.
05 - Mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, dill, mint, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir well and refrigerate until serving.
06 - Serve kebabs hot with cucumber yogurt sauce, warm pita or gluten-free wraps, and optional fresh vegetables.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The meat stays impossibly juicy because the grated onion adds moisture and flavor without making them dense or heavy.
- That cool, herby cucumber yogurt sauce is the perfect counterpoint—tangy, refreshing, and it makes you feel sophisticated without any fuss.
- You can have dinner on the table in under an hour, which means these are perfect for weeknight entertaining when you want to impress without stress.
02 -
- The biggest mistake people make is pressing down on the kebabs while they grill—resist that urge because you're literally squeezing out the juices and guaranteeing dry meat.
- Don't skip draining the cucumber for the sauce or you'll end up with something watery and thin instead of creamy and cohesive; I learned this the hard way after wondering why my sauce never tasted right.
- Metal skewers conduct heat better than wood, but if you're using wooden ones, soak them for at least 30 minutes so they don't char while your meat is still cooking.
03 -
- If you want extra complexity, add a small pinch of sumac or allspice to the beef mixture—these add a subtle tartness and warmth that elevates the whole dish without making it taste different exactly, just more like itself.
- Ground lamb makes an excellent substitute for beef or try a 50/50 mixture for a richer, more complex flavor that feels even more authentic to Middle Eastern cooking.