Description
Juicy Middle Eastern spiced beef kofta served with fresh chopped salad, warm pita bread, and optional tahini sauce. A flavorful, satisfying dish ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 small onion, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- 2 cups romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley
- Warm pita bread
- Tahini sauce (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all kofta ingredients. Mix with your hands until fully incorporated. Shape into small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs in batches for about 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- While the kofta cooks, assemble the salad: combine lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and herbs in a bowl.
- Warm the pita bread in a pan or oven.
- Serve kofta on a plate with salad and pita. Drizzle with tahini sauce if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, let the kofta mixture rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before cooking.
- You can grill the kofta instead of pan-frying for a smokier taste.
- Use whole-wheat pita for a healthier option.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice over the salad before serving for added brightness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (kofta, salad, pita)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg