Classics · Turkish

Köfte

Name: Köfte
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 500 g Ground beef; 1 szt Onion; 3 szt Garlic clove; 3 łyżka Breadcrumbs; 1 szt Egg; 1 łyżeczka Ground cumin; 1 łyżeczka Sweet paprika; 0.5 łyżeczka Chili flakes; 1 łyżeczka Salt; 0.5 łyżeczka Ground black pepper; 3 łyżka Chopped parsley; 3 łyżka Olive oil; 1 szt Lemon (to serve); 200 g Thick natural yogurt

Time

25'

+ 0h 30' chilling

Diff.

easy

Kcal

480

/ serving

Servings

Gather 14 ingredients before cooking

Scale

Units

01 You'll need check when you have it

02 To finish last minute: ~60 min window

Step 01 of 06

Prep onion and garlic

1 szt

3 szt

Grate onion (1 szt) on the fine side of a box grater. Press garlic clove (3 szt) through a garlic press or chop it very finely.

Tip

Grated, not chopped — the onion has to disappear into the meat, not stay as chunks.

Step 02 of 06

Mix the meat

500 g

1 szt

3 szt

3 łyżka

1 szt

1 łyżeczka

0,5 łyżeczka

1 łyżeczka

0,5 łyżeczka

3 łyżka

In a large bowl combine ground beef (500 g), grated onion (1 szt), garlic clove (3 szt), breadcrumbs (3 łyżka), egg (1 szt), ground cumin (1 łyżeczka), sweet paprika (1 łyżeczka), chili flakes (0,5 łyżeczka), salt (1 łyżeczka), ground black pepper (0,5 łyżeczka) and chopped parsley (3 łyżka). Knead with your hands for 3-4 minutes, until the mixture turns smooth and slightly sticky.

Tip

Long kneading activates proteins in the meat — köfte hold their shape and stay firm in the pan instead of falling apart.

Step 03 of 06

Chill the mix

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Tip

Cold meat is easier to shape and holds its form better during frying.

Step 04 of 06

Shape the patties

500 g

Form ground beef (500 g) mixture into elongated patties about 7 cm long and 2 cm thick. You should get 12-14 pieces. Wet your hands with water if the meat sticks.

Step 05 of 06

Fry the köfte

3 łyżka

Heat olive oil (3 łyżka) in a 28 cm pan over medium-high heat. Arrange köfte with space between them — don't crowd, or they'll steam instead of fry. Cook 4 minutes on one side, flip and cook 3-4 minutes on the other. The crust should be deep brown, the inside cooked through.

Tip

If your pan is smaller, fry in two batches. Crowded köfte release water and turn grey instead of browning.

Step 06 of 06

Serve

200 g

1 szt

Serve hot with thick natural yogurt (200 g) and wedges of lemon (to serve) (1 szt) for squeezing. Rice, pilaf or pita bread work well on the side.

Bon appétit

How did it turn out?

Enjoy — now it's a matter of patience and a good table.

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