Middle Eastern Meatballs (Kofta Kebabs)

Middle Eastern Meatballs (Kofta Kebabs) made in 15 minutes with authentic middle eastern spices, just like the ground beef kebab you love at restaurants.

Middle Eastern Meatballs (Kofta Kebabs)
Middle Eastern Meatballs (Kofta Kebabs)

Middle Eastern food is in my comfort zone because I grew up eating it. Anytime I need to feel more at home (we live a long ways away from home right now), I reach for my old family favorites. Growing up, my mom would make ground beef kebabs almost every week, so I have a soft spot in my heart for these kofta kebab meatballs.

When my mom would make Kofta Kebabs she never made them into meatball shape, instead forming them into log shapes. For the purposes of keeping this recipe from going viral in a weird way because of the shape and color of the food I formed them into meatballs (we also make them into meatballs now) and by doing that it actually makes the process a lot easier for you too!

How do I know they’d go viral in a bad way you ask? Well the first time I made them for my kids they giggled and made inappropriate jokes about them. Point taken, we adjusted the way we make them at home.

One of the easiest ways to make a meatball is with a cookie scoop. I use this one and scoop them directly onto the sheet pans or cast iron skillets. Don’t worry about the bottom being flat, these kebabs are going to be larger than a classic meatball and the bottoms being flat only help you in cutting them in half with your fork. No escaping meatballs from your plate!

What kind of meat is kofta?

Traditionally lamb is used in kofta, sometimes even a lamb and beef mixture. This recipe uses ground beef instead of a lamb mixture because most people tend to use ground beef and the flavor of lamb for people who aren’t used to it can be slightly gamey.

How do you make kofta kebabs?

The way kofta kebabs are traditionally make is by either forming the meat around metal skewers over an open grill or by creating a cigar or log shaped meat mixture which can be cooked on the grill, on the stovetop or in the oven.

kofta kebabs in skillet

What do you serve with Kofta?

Traditionally a rice pilaf, roasted bell peppers, hummus or greek salad are served along side kofte kebabs. Often people stuff them into pita bread pockets with hummus, tomatoes and lettuce.

What are in Turkish Kofta Kebabs?

This recipe varies from a traditional Turkish kofta kebab as the Turkish variety usually includes breadcrumbs, egg or milk soaked bread.

Important Kofta Kebab Recipe Notes:

  • Do not skip the mint or the seasonings, they’re meant to work together to make a very unique flavor you’re familiar with if you’ve ordered this in restaurants.
  • If you don’t have fresh mint you can use dried mint. Make sure you are using dried spearmint instead of peppermint as the menthol content in peppermint is 8 times higher than that of spearmint and you don’t want the recipe to taste like a candy cane.
  • You can shape the mixture into classic kofta kebab shapes as well, or you can even shape it into a hamburger patty to make a middle eastern burger.
  • The recipe can be cooked on the grill if desired or even in grill pans if you shape it into thinner or flatter shapes.
  • Make sure you don’t cook the kebabs until they’re well done, refer to the picture below for keeping them moist by allowing them to stay somewhat pink in the center.

Beef kofte kebabs with rice

Can you meal prep the kebabs ahead of time?

  • If making same day: Combine the ingredients and press a piece of saran wrap over the top of the bowl to keep it fresh, then just scoop and bake.
  • If prepping for the future: Prepare the recipe and scoop it onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until firm then add to a freezer safe container. To cook: Add the meatballs to a skillet or cookie sheet with at least 1/2 inch lip and bake at 425 for 18-20 minutes.
  • If making for lunch: For easier eating, use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop to make mini kofte kebabs. This makes eating at lunch easier and makes the meatballs bite sized. Cook the meatballs on a cookie sheet for 12-15 minutes.

Tools Used in the making of this Middle Eastern Meatballs:
Cast Iron Skillet: This is my most used pan in my kitchen, heavy, keeps heat well and gives the BEST sear ever.

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Middle Eastern Meatballs (Kofta Kebabs)

Middle Eastern Meatballs (Kofta Kebabs) made in just one bowl and ready to bake in 15 minutes with authentic middle eastern spices, it tastes like the ground beef kebab you love but with minimal effort. 
Course Main Course
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Keyword kofta, meatballs, mediterranean food, Middle Eastern food, middle eastern meatballs
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 18 Servings
Calories 94 kcal
Author Sabrina Snyder

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint minced
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1/3 cup grated onion

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Add all the ingredients except the beef into a bowl and stir well.
  3. Add in the beef and stir until just combined.
  4. Form into 1/4 cup meatballs (I use an ice cream scoop) onto your cast iron skillet or sheet pan.
  5. Cook for 15-18 minutes or until cooked through.

Nutrition Facts
Middle Eastern Meatballs (Kofta Kebabs)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 94 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 33mg11%
Sodium 229mg10%
Potassium 186mg5%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 90IU2%
Vitamin C 2.5mg3%
Calcium 17mg2%
Iron 1.4mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

middle eastern meatballs collage

middle eastern meatballs collage
kofta kebab meatballs in skillet

About the Author: Sabrina Snyder

Sabrina is a professionally trained Private Chef of over 10 years with ServSafe Manager certification in food safety. She creates all the recipes here on Dinner, then Dessert, fueled in no small part by her love for bacon.

Dinner, then Dessert, Inc. owns the copyright on all images and text and does not allow for its original recipes and pictures to be reproduced anywhere other than at this site unless authorization is given. If you enjoyed the recipe and would like to publish it on your own site, please re-write it in your own words, and link back to my site and recipe page. Read my disclosure and copyright policy. This post may contain affiliate links.

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Comments

  1. These were excellent! I actually made them with a mix of venison and pork and they were truly fantastic – you would never know they weren’t beef.

  2. Thank you for specifying using spearmint instead of peppermint. I have always wondered which mint to use in middle eastern recipes so I never made them. The recipes usually just say “mint”. I’m going to try your recipe this week. It sounds delicious.

  3. I made these Kafta Meatballs with meatloaf mix 11/4 lb Beef, Veal,Pork; (10 gulf ball size balls).
    I DID have KAFTA seasoning and what wasn’t in the jar I added.
    I made them stovetop using cast iron. I did add about a 1/4 cup Panko, no other changes.
    Served on top of pan toasted 10 inch flour tortillas with the Taziziki sauce. Really good!
    Any you can serve like a Gyro.

    Outstanding!!!

  4. Made these kebabs for dinner tonight with my family hummus recipe, labne and fattoush salad and it was absolutely amazing! So excited to add this to our meal rotation. Thank you for sharing this yumminess!!!

  5. I’ve been tryin to find what I believe are these meatballs for awhile/ use to live with a Middle eastern/muslim lady I asked what is it I believe she said kebab that her friend made

    They made them in a air fryer but I do t talk to them anymore an I’m wondering how to do so an if this would be it / ig my question is how to make em in a airfryer

    1. I haven’t tested these in an air fryer yet. If you decide to try, I’d love to know how they turn out. Thanks!

  6. SO delicious! I didn’t have all the ingredients but I did have fresh mint, cilantro, nutmeg, and green onions so I subbed those for the ingredients in the recipe. I also just eyed the other spices and it turned out so amazing! This recipe made for a perfect lunch paired with a salad, tomatoes, cucumbers, and some garlic hummus in just 30 minutes! Definitely making this regularly.

  7. These were absolutely delicious! For the allspice, I had to substitute (cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon) but it wasn’t an issue. They were so fragrant and flavorful! Saving this to make again for friends when I can see them again!

  8. I would LOVE to make this recipe on bamboo skewers. How long would you soak the skewers and I don’t have a cast iron pan or grill pan. Could I cook them in the oven and then “finish” them in the pan to get the “crust”? If so, how long in the oven and what temp? My family LOVES these and since we are cooking at home right now and not ordering out, I really want to try to make them!

    1. Such a great idea! Make sure to soak the skewers for 30 minutes before placing them in the oven. I would suggest covering a baking sheet with foil and placing the skewers on that while in the oven. Cook for around 30 minutes turning them over halfway through the cooking process. For the crust, place it under the broiler for just a bit (make sure to watch them so they don’t burn though). Enjoy!

  9. I have no clue what I’m doing when it comes to middle eastern seasonings and roughly followed the spice proportions from your recipe. Made little kofta kebabs with bison and they tasted LEGIT!!!! Thank you for sharing this!!

  10. I luv this recipe…but I make a marinara sauce, with zatar spice and finish meatballs in this. I also use a middle eastern slice blend for quickness. But meatballs out of this world delicious…Thxs for sharing!

  11. The ingredients are perfectly proportioned. I use the ingredients but make it in a loaf pan instead. Delicious.

  12. I have attempted middle eastern foods so many times and this is the first time I felt like it was better than a restaurant. I served with a cucumber tomato salad, white rice, warm potatoes, and homemade tzakziki sauce. It was a “WOW THIS IS AMAZING” reaction from everyone who ate it!

  13. Excellent recipe! Will definitely make again!! Didn’t see the serving size before hand had six! I’m still in shock for how much the flavors are there for not having to marinate or let sit. It really is a 15 min prep meal! I went 50/50 lamb n beef….heavy on the salt….added a few shakes of bread crumbs and an egg. Maybe that’s why mine didn’t turn out as pretty and dark as the pics? Also used a sheet pan w foil. Would like them darker next time….

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