Kofta (Middle Eastern meatballs)

Name: Kofta (Middle Eastern meatballs)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Lamb ground 1.4 lbs; Mint 5 leaves; Peperoncino 1; Thyme 3 sprigs; Cumin 4 tsp; Spices ras el hanout 1 ½ tsp; Lemon peel untreated ½; Garlic 2 cloves; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

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Gluten Free
Lactose Free

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Soft, juicy texture mixed with bold Middle Eastern spices gives kofta that special twist families notice right away. With its signature seasoned blend, kofta acts like a bridge between comforting meatballs and the rich excitement of authentic regional cuisines. Great for family dinners and small parties, this dish lands right in the middle of special and everyday. People love how these kofta meatballs look on the table—usually round and just the right golden color with a nice sprinkle of herbs on top. The flavor brings together so many tastes you just don’t find in basic American recipes, while still being mindful of home-style cooking needs. Whenever schools break or relatives drop by, these moist Middle Eastern meatballs keep kids and grown-ups coming back for seconds…especially when you add simple sides like flatbreads, rice, or that little dollop of cool yogurt sauce. On busy nights or celebratory weekends, everyone at the table enjoys how kofta feels familiar but still DELICIOUS, making it an easy go-to for all ages.

Busy lives mean looking for quick and easy recipes that don’t need a lot of time or special gadgets—luckily, kofta answers that need for so many working parents. When it comes to value, these budget-friendly meals stack up nicely because each serving can stretch with salads or pita, keeping weeknight costs reasonable (always a plus with big families). Flexible enough for make-ahead meals when you plan ahead—these flavorful meatballs hold up even after a night in the fridge, actually picking up MORE spiced flavor by the next day. You get all the benefits of meal prep without sacrificing that great, satisfying taste. Most families find it works well with all sorts of sides, whether following familiar American cooking techniques or breaking out favorite dips and veggie dishes. Whether you’re sticking with the classics, diving into more adventurous seasonal cooking, or just hunting for reliable dinner options, kofta is a winner—just a dependable dish that always turns out nice at potlucks, busy weeknights, or whenever the family needs something homey but still a little special. You know, those little things that bring people together...they really make these meatballs a regular request for everyone who loves good food at home.

How to prepare Kofta (Middle Eastern meatballs)

To prepare the kofta (Middle Eastern meatballs), finely chop the mint leaves 1, then cut the chili pepper in half lengthwise, remove the seeds with the tip of a knife, and mince it 2. Place the lamb meat in a bowl along with the chopped mint and chili pepper 3.

Add the thyme leaves 4, and the cumin 5; grate the zest of half a lemon 6,

crush the garlic 7 and mix vigorously with your hands to combine all the ingredients well 8. Season with salt and pepper 9,

then add the ras el hanout 10 and mix everything again 11. Shape into elongated meatballs, each about 3 oz with the mixture you prepared 12,

then insert them into the skewers 13: with our quantities, you should get 8 pieces. Once finished 14, preheat the grill, then cook the meat for 2 minutes per side 15,

turning it for even cooking 16. After the required time has passed 17, turn off the heat and serve the kofta hot 18.

Storage

You can store the kofta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. If you have used only fresh ingredients, you can also freeze them in the same way after they have completely cooled.

Tip

To further enrich the flavor of the kofta, in addition to mint, you can also chop some parsley or fresh coriander: these spices will give an even more Middle Eastern touch to the already very fragrant preparation.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.