My take on the classic kofta kebab and I’m baking them in the oven! Yep. In this recipe I’m using minced beef and other wonderful herbs and spices. Do try, they’re extremely easy and delish to make.
For me, kofta’s recipe varies thoughout the world. I believe it’s originally from the Middle East, but I’m not sure. Anyways, I haven’t been to any of the Middles Eastern countries but I’m so intrigued with the making of kofta kebab. Watching so many travel videos contributes to that.
This kofta recipe is not by all means the authentic way of making it. This is how I make it in my house for my family. Just thought I’d share it so that few people out there who are like us, loving food from other countries, could make it too in the convenience of their own kitchen.
I use all common ingredients that I have in my kitchen. I’m using smoked paprika instead of normal paprika to help with that smokey taste, since I’m baking these kofta in the oven. I’m also using zest of 1 lemon in replace of summac because it’s not a common thing to find at my place.
Summac has acidic taste that can be replaced with lemon zest. Also instead of chopped onion, I opted to blend it into a paste. I feel this adds moisture to the kofta kebab mixture and helps keeping them moist.
Well and there you go. Homemade baked beef kofta kebab.
We love to have this kofta with some flatbreads, rice or pasta. With some salad to go with it, mint yogurt and we’re satisfied.
More Beef Recipes
- Korean style bbq beef (bulgogi)
- Quick beef pho
- Malaysian beef rendang curry
- Basil stir fry
- Argentine empanadas
Recipe Video
Baked Beef Kofta Kebabs
Ingredients
- 1 red onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 chili , chopped
- 2 tablespoon chopped coriander
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 lemon zest
- 2 teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon salt , or to your taste
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1.1 lb minced beef (500 gr)
- some cooking oil spray , for spraying before baking
- 10 skewer sticks , soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- In a chopper, add in chopped red onion and garlic cloves. Blend into a fine paste. Pour into a bowl. Add in the rest of the ingredients except the minced meat. Mix everything well.
- Add in minced beef and mix everything together. Don't over work the meat to avoid the kofta kebabs turning tough.
- Grab some meat mixture and wrap it around 2 skewer sticks, making around 4 inches (10 cm) length of kofta kebab. Do the same with the rest of the meat to get total of 10 kofta kebab. You can wrap the exposed part of the skewers with aluminium foil to avoid them getting too burnt.
- Place kofta kebab in a baking tray narrow enough so that the skewers are sitting on the rim of the tray and the meat doesn't touch anything (refer to the video) and spray with a bit of cooking oil.
- Preheat your oven to 480ºF (250ºC) with the broiler on (heat from the top) and put the tray on the upper third rack. Bake until nicely charred and fully cooked, around 4 minutes depending on your oven temperature.
- Serve with some flatbreads or rice, and some mint yogurt. Enjoy!
Rita says
These sound yummy! I happen to have sumac, love it. How much would I use in place of the lemon zest?
Bea says
Hi Rita! I haven't tried it with sumac so I can't really say how much would you need. You could try adding 1 tsp first and then go from there.
Chris wheeler says
Lovely lovely flavours and easy to make. Ours were very wet though and wouldn't stick to skewers so turned them into meatballs. Delicious. Served it with a bulgar wheat salad. Def make again.
Bea says
Sorry to hear that, Chris! If that happens again, try adding some breadcrumbs so that the mixture is not that wet. Glad that you liked it anyways. Thank you!
J.W. Jansen - van den Broek says
Delicious!!
One of my favorites now. Easy to make and full of flavor.
Thanks for the recipe.
Bea says
That's great, I'm happy to know that. Thank you for your feedback! 🙂
George says
Do you have a favourite recipe for minted yoghurt?
Bea says
Unfortunately no, I don't. Sorry George!
Deni Mar says
Hello! Can I use minced chicken?
Bea says
Yes you can Deni 🙂
Lindsay says
At what temperature do you bake it? There are no notes for that ... it just says “grill” but I thought This was a bake recipe?
Bea says
Hi Lindsay, it is a bake recipe, I used the word "grill" in the context of an oven/bake recipe to refer to the top heat. I have re-worded the instructions to make it more clear and included oven temperature.
Khadija says
Can’t wait to make this, looks delicious 😋. Can this be made in the oven? If I don’t have a grill
Bea says
Yes, I used oven for this. Thanks Khadija!