5 from 14 votes
Grilled Lamb Kofta - Izgara Kofte
Grilled Lamb Kofta features spiced ground lamb combined with grated onion, garlic, and herbs shaped into patties and cooked over medium-high heat until browned. Served with a yogurt, garlic, and dried mint dressing, these koftas offer a tender, flavorful meat bite paired with a cool, aromatic sauce.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
4
people
Calories:
456 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish
Ingredients
For the Yoghurt Dressing
- 1 cup natural yoghurt
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ teaspoon dried mint
For the Lamb Koftas
- 500 g Minced lamb (minimum of 20% fat content)
- 1 large onion (grated)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium egg
- 30 g breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes pul biber
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- 2 tablespoon parsley chopped
Instructions
Preparing the Yoghurt Dressing
- Turn the garlic into a paste using a pestle and mortar or grate it using a Microplane.
- Place the yogurt in a bowl and add the garlic paste.
- Add the dried mint and mix well. Set aside and keep refrigerated until you need it.
Cup of Yum
Preparing the Lamb Koftas
- If cooking the koftas on a BBQ, preheat your BBQ to medium-high, if cooking them in the oven-grill, preheat the oven grill to medium-high, or if using a skillet, preheat your skillet over medium-high heat.
- To prepare the kofte mixture, put all kofte ingredients in a large bowl and then mix well for at least 5 minutes or until it has a nice and soft texture slightly sticking to your hand.
- Shape them into 10-12 equally sized patties using the palm of your hands. Wet your palm with a bit of water to avoid the meatballs sticking to your hand.
- Cook the koftas on BBQ for 6 to 8 minutes, until all sides are nicely browned. It would take 10 to 12 minutes in oven-grill and 5 to 7 minutes on the skillet to cook the koftas.
- Serve them immediately on a bed of Turkish Rice Pilaf or Homemade Pita Bread with a dollop of yogurt dressing.
Notes
- Use minced lamb with at least 20% fat for moist and tender koftas; lean meat can result in dryness.
- Allow the kofta mixture to rest refrigerated for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to develop flavor.
- Wet your hands before shaping patties to prevent sticking.
- Koftas can be shaped on skewers for kebabs if desired.
- Store uncooked kofta mixture refrigerated for up to two days.
Nutrition Information
Calories
456kcal
(23%)
Carbohydrates
13g
(4%)
Protein
26g
(52%)
Fat
33g
(51%)
Saturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
140mg
(47%)
Sodium
757mg
(32%)
Potassium
486mg
(10%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
317IU
(6%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
134mg
(13%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 456
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 456kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 140mg | 47% |
| Sodium | 757mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 486mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 317IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 134mg | 13% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.