Beef Kofta Kebabs Tzatziki (Printable)
Spiced beef kebabs paired with a creamy tzatziki sauce, ideal for grilling and sharing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Kofta Kebabs
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
02 - 1 small onion, grated
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 tsp ground coriander
08 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
09 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
→ Tzatziki Sauce
14 - 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
15 - 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated
16 - 1 garlic clove, minced
17 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
18 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
19 - 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
20 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ To Serve
21 - Warm pita bread or gluten-free flatbread
22 - Sliced red onion
23 - Chopped fresh tomatoes
24 - Fresh parsley or mint leaves
25 - Lemon wedges
# How-To Steps:
01 - Place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture. In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate until serving.
02 - In a large bowl, mix ground beef, grated onion, minced garlic, parsley, mint, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, smoked paprika, optional cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper thoroughly by hand until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
03 - With damp hands, divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Mold each around a soaked wooden or metal skewer into an oval about 4 to 5 inches long.
04 - Preheat grill, grill pan, or broiler to medium-high heat. Lightly brush kebabs with olive oil. Grill for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
05 - Arrange kebabs on a platter alongside pita or gluten-free flatbread, sliced red onion, chopped tomatoes, fresh herbs, and lemon wedges. Drizzle with chilled tzatziki sauce before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These kebabs get that perfect char on the outside while staying juicy inside, and it happens in just 10 minutes—no babysitting required.
- The tzatziki sauce is so refreshing and garlicky that it makes everything taste restaurant-quality without any fussing.
- You can prep the mixture ahead and shape them right before grilling, which means less stress when people are arriving hungry.
02 -
- If your kebab mixture feels wet or too soft, the beef has too much moisture or you've overworked it—a 30-minute chill in the fridge fixes this completely.
- Soaking your wooden skewers in water for at least 15 minutes prevents them from catching fire and turns a disaster into a beautiful meal.
- The cinnamon isn't a typo; it adds a warm undertone that makes people say the kofta tastes different without being able to name why.
03 -
- If the kofta mixture sticks to your hands while shaping, dip your fingers in cold water rather than oil—water keeps things from slipping.
- Make the tzatziki a full day ahead if you can; the flavors deepen and it becomes something better than it was when you first mixed it.