Grilled Beef Kofta kebabs
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Ground beef kebabs are the kind of easy summer dinner that keeps the BBQ interesting. Packed with warm Middle Eastern spices and grilled on skewers until juicy and lightly smoky, they’re just as good served over rice, tucked into pitas or wraps, or piled onto a fresh salad for a quick meal everyone will want again.
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During the summer months, we grill on the barbecue as much as possible and making kebabs is always a favourite. There is something special about meat on a skewer that makes it feel like summer. If you are a kebab lover like me, I think you will also like these Tandoori Chicken Skewers or Indonesian Chicken Satay.
These Grilled Kofta Kebabs are sort of like a hamburger but wrapped around a skewer and filled with unique flavours, perfect for dipping in Homemade Tzatziki Sauce. They take only about 15 minutes to prepare and can be eaten on the stick, wrapped in a pita or over a salad.
Star Ingredients
- Ground Beef – I use lean ground beef for this recipe, but you can use any ground beef you prefer. I do find that extra lean results in a tasty kebab, but a dry one too. Lean is a good balance. Alternatively, you can also use a combination of beef and pork or lamb as well.
- Bread – I have whole wheat bread in the photo, but any bread will do. I often use stale hot dog or hamburger buns, or those rolls that are in the freezer that are never going to get eaten. This is a great way to put them to use.
- Mint & Cinnamon – This is what makes kofta kofta. The smell is incredible, and the flavor is delicious and different from a typical hamburger. It’s got to be fresh mint. No dried stuff!
- Skewers – Look for barbecue skewers at your local grocery store. They come in various sizes, but my family likes the longer ones that let me make the skewers bigger. You can also get metal skewers that can be reused, but I find they are expensive and get thrown out by accident, so I just stick with the wood skewers!
Step-By-Step Made Simple
- Since you are barbecuing the skewers, you need to prepare them ahead of time. Allow the wooden skewers to sit in clean water for about 10 minutes before adding the meat or veggies to any skewer. This way, the skewers won’t catch on fire and become fragile while cooking!
I like to use a deep cake pan or baking sheet with water, but any deep-sided dish will do. Just make sure the entire skewer can be soaked, not just the tips.
- To make this beef kofta recipe, all you need to do is throw all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix by hand until combined. Be sure not to over-mix, otherwise the kofta will become dry and tough. Just enough so that the ingredients are combined and you can form a long tube of meat with your hands.
- When done mixing, I like to first make a giant meatball about the size of a baseball of the beef mixture like you would a hamburger and then mould it into a longer tube shape.
- Once that is done, carefully insert the skewer through the centre and set aside while your grill heats to medium-high heat.
- The portion of kofta meat on each skewer will depend on the size of your skewers and personal preference for how you want them to look or be portioned out. I have used 2 lbs of beef for this recipe, which, for our family preferences, makes about 10 skewers.
- Grill for about 10 minutes, turning halfway through the cook time with tongs. When done, remove the beef skewers from the grill and serve hot. I am Canadian, so we like anything ground beef well done. No pink anywhere. But I know many Americans like a little pink, so adjust the cook time/internal temperature to your preference.
Can you freeze this kofta recipe?
Yes, absolutely! In fact, I highly encourage you to make more than you need and freeze some for a quick weeknight dinner. They freeze just like a hamburger would. Make them as instructed and place the skewer through the centre. Then store in a large airtight container with each layer separated by wax paper for up to 2 months.
Pull out what you need and place them on the barbecue on medium-high heat like you would a hamburger and grill for about 7 minutes per side if completely frozen or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
I do recommend that you freeze them uncooked. I find that cooked ground beef gets very dry after freezing.
Leftovers? No Problem!
Store leftovers in the fridge inside an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat on the grill or in the microwave.
Grilled Kofta Kebabs
Equipment
- 10-12 skewers for grilling
Ingredients
- 10-12 wood or metal grilling skewers
- 2 lbs lean ground beef can use lamb and or veal as well
- 2 eggs
- 2 slices wheat bread torn into tiny pieces by hand
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup fresh mint finely chopped
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the barbecue to medium-high heat.
- Place skewers in a water bath for 10 minutes to avoid skewers from burning. This step is not necessary if using metal skewers.
- Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix by hand. Form into meatballs and then roll into long skinny tubes. Thread the skewer through the centre of each and set aside.
- Grill over medium-high heat for 5 minutes per side or until the internal temperature has reached 160°F. Serve.
Nutrition
Notes
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I just happened to have the ingredients and tried it – it was amazing!! Thanks!
It is really irritating that you show the videos on how to make something but do not let me download them for later reference. Maybe I don’t want to make Asian Cucumber Salad today but I would like to try it next Thursday. Mel Heinrichs
Hi Mel,
Yes, unfortunately, there is no way to download the video because it is a Youtube video. However, there are a few simple options. One you can right click and copy the video address and save it for future reference in an email to yourself of you can also follow my youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeLAJcTsx-Mddkarz3TyYVw where you can save any video you like to your own playlist. All of my recipes are right there. I also have a link to my Youtube channel on my website. Alternatively here is the link to the recipe itself with the video in the post that you can save or pin to Pinterest for future reference. https://thedeliciousspoon.com/asian-cucumber-salad/.
Please let me know what you think of the Asian Cucumber Salad. It is by far my post popular recipe!
We were going to have tacos for dinner, but I saw this recipe, so changed the plan. It’s a great flavor combination and something a little different. I plan to make this regularly at home and think it would be great for a casual company dinner. Your recommendation to serve with Tzatziki Sauce is perfect!
I have been having some fun during quarantine in the kitchen! Using the time to make new to me recipe. I made this today and it was delish! The entire family loved it!
What a perfect summer grill recipe, loved it!! Making again soon!
So much flavor in these kebabs! Easy to make too. Thanks for the recipe!