Turkish Beef Kofta

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb ground beef (80/20)
• ½ medium onion, finely minced
• ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 3 tbsp pine nuts, finely chopped
• 1.5 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine ground beef, minced onion, parsley, mint, pine nuts, cumin, paprika, black pepper, salt, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—do not overwork the mixture, as this will make the kofta dense and tough.

2. 2

   Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a long, oval patty about 0.5 inches thick, or mold around metal or wooden skewers if using. Chill for at least 10 minutes in the refrigerator to help the kofta hold together during cooking.

3. 3

   Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, about 450 °F. Brush the grates lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.

4. 4

   Place the kofta on the hot grill and cook for 3-4 minutes without moving them, until a golden-brown crust forms on the first side. You should see nice char marks.

5. 5

   Flip the kofta carefully using tongs and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the second side until the internal temperature reaches 160 °F and the meat is cooked through with a light char. The kofta should feel firm when pressed gently.

6. 6

   Transfer the grilled kofta to a serving platter and drizzle with lemon juice. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving to retain juices.

7. 7

   Serve the kofta hot with warmed pita bread, labneh or Greek yogurt, fresh tomato and cucumber slices, and a drizzle of tahini sauce. Squeeze extra fresh lemon over everything and enjoy immediately.

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