Description
Elevate your dining experience with these spiced ground meat koftas topped with a silky tahini-yogurt sauce, finished with toasted nuts and a sprinkle of sumac.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground lamb or beef, cold, 20% fat for juiciness
- 1 small onion, very finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 Tbsp plain breadcrumbs or fine bulgur (optional)
- 1/2 cup tahini, stirred smooth
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, full-fat
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- Warm water, 1–3 Tbsp to loosen
- Salt to taste
- 2 Tbsp toasted pine nuts or chopped pistachios
- 1 tsp sumac or smoked paprika
- Extra parsley, finely chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the base: in a large bowl, combine ground meat, grated onion, garlic, parsley, spices, salt, pepper, egg, and breadcrumbs. Mix lightly until just combined.
- Shape the koftas: dampen your hands and form 8–10 oblong koftas, each about 2 inches long.
- Rest briefly: chill the formed koftas on a tray for 10–15 minutes.
- Make the tahini-yogurt sauce: whisk tahini, yogurt, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Add warm water until the sauce is thick yet pourable.
- Cook the koftas: heat a pan over medium-high heat with oil. Add koftas and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until a deep golden-brown crust forms.
- Finish and assemble: place koftas on a plate, spoon sauce on top, and sprinkle with nuts and parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
Refrigerate cooked koftas for up to 3 days. Store sauce separately to maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg